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Living with Wildlife

Leave Young Wildlife Alone

Young wildlife don't need to be rescued.

You may see more young wildlife during spring months in Colorado, including deer, elk, pronghorn, moose, rabbits, foxes and birds. Because of this, Colorado Parks and Wildlife receives an increase in office visits and calls each spring from people who report they "rescued" young wildlife. People should know they do more harm than good by taking what they believe to be orphaned young wildlife from the wild. As wildlife becomes more visible in backyards, open spaces and on trails in the spring, Colorado Parks and Wildlife asks people not to disturb young wildlife.  

Is it Normal for Young Wildlife to be Alone?

  • Most Young Wildlife Do Not Need Rescue

    They have been prepared by nature to survive without human intervention. In most cases, human interaction does more harm than good.

  • Adults Leave to Find Food

    It is normal for adult animals to leave their young in safe places while they go forage for food for long periods of time. They are safer when left alone. If you find a young animal by itself, the mother is probably nearby.

  • Parents are Almost Always Nearby

    You may encounter a baby animal that seems alone or “abandoned”. Usually, the parent is nearby but out of sight, and keeps listening for any distress from its baby.

  • Finding Birds on the Ground

    Baby birds are fledging, or learning to fly, and often end up on the ground near their nests. If a young bird falls from its nest, return it if safe to do so. Or, place it in a box or basket with grass or paper towels and place it near the nest (or secure it in the nearest tree where you found it). The parents will hear its cries and continue to feed it. DO NOT try to feed it or keep it as a pet.

  • Parents Protect from Predators

    Baby mammals are scentless to prevent predators from finding them. When humans touch these animals, they impart them with a scent their adults will not recognize. This can result in the true abandonment of healthy offspring.

Living with Wildlife

What Should You Do?

​If you find young wildlife:

  • If you find a wild animal that appears sick or injured to you, but has no clear injuries, leave it alone.
  • Quietly observe the animal from a distance and don't hover so close that the wild parents are afraid to return to the area. If 24 hours go by and the parent does not return, call CPW for help. It is possible the newborn was abandoned or the parent is dead.
  • Do not approach the animal
  • Don't move the animal yourself. Moving the young animal can have negative consequences and cause undue stress to the baby and the mother.
  • Don’t feed the animal
  • Keep your dog on a leash on trails.
  • If a young bird falls from its nest, return it if is safe to do so. Or, place it in a box or basket with grass or paper towels and place it near the nest (or secure it in the nearest tree where you found it). The parents will hear its cries and continue to feed it. DO NOT try to feed it or keep it as a pet.

Report an Abandoned Animal or Wildlife Concern

​Concerned citizens are welcome to call their local Colorado Parks and Wildlife office for reports, or Operation Game Thief if they wish to remain anonymous. 

information

Call an Office

Call the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Denver Headquarters at 303-297-1192​, ​or any CPW Office, if you suspect an animal is injured or abandoned or to report incidents of feeding or other illegal wildlife activity.

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Operation Game Thief

If you wish to remain anonymous, contact operation game thief at 877-265-6648 to report incidents of feeding or other illegal wildlife activity. Rewards may be offered if the information leads to a citation.

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