Not Abandoned - Just Growing: Leave Young Wildlife Alone

Bridget O'Rourke
Statewide Public Information Officer
720-219-2919
[email protected]

DENVER - As trees and flowers bloom, Colorado’s wildlife is also experiencing new life and growth. Bears are coming out of their winter dens to find food, and the next generation of young wildlife is being born. 

Now through the end of June, wildlife will become more visible in backyards, open spaces, and on trails. Some young wildlife you may see include deer, elk, pronghorn, moose, rabbits, foxes, skunks, raccoons, bats and birds. Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) reminds the public to kindly respect wildlife and leave young wildlife alone. 

Every year, CPW and local parks receive increased office visits and calls from people who report they “rescued” young wildlife. Many people wrongly believe they are "helping" young animals by picking them up, bringing them to a CPW office, or even taking them home to feed them. People routinely orphan young wildlife by essentially kidnapping them from their natural environment. 

A best practice to help parents in the wild is to leave young wildlife untouched in their natural habitat so they can grow and thrive in the wild. Colorado is home to big game species, including elk, mule deer, moose, and bighorn sheep. Human disturbance can cause stress for wild animals and reduce females’ chances of successfully raising offspring. 

How can humans help young wildlife? 

• Do not feed or approach young wildlife.
• Enjoy wildlife from a safe distance. 
• Be ‘bear prepared’ on trails and around your home to help reduce human-bear conflicts.
• Keep dogs leashed on trails to prevent them from chasing wildlife.
• If you see wildlife that appears sick or injured, leave it alone. Call your local Colorado Parks and Wildlife office and ask a trained wildlife officer for guidance. 

“It is critical that people understand humans are poor substitutes for an animal’s natural parents,” said District Wildlife Manager Drew Vrbenec. “In almost every case, picking up baby wildlife is the wrong thing to do. When we handle young wildlife, we transfer our scent to the animal. Our smell can cause its mother not to recognize her own baby. This can result in true abandonment of healthy offspring, especially deer. If you find young wildlife, enjoy a quick glimpse, leave the animal where it is and keep pets out of the area. ​Quietly observe the animal from a distance using binoculars and don't hover so close that the wild parents are afraid to return to the area.”

CPW also urges the public not to feed wildlife on trails, in backyards, or on decks. Under Colorado law, feeding wildlife is illegal because it risks wildlife health and safety. Those in violation are subject to fines, and even worse, can cause the animal to become sick and die.

In addition to humans causing harm to wildlife, wildlife can also pose physical danger to humans. Wildlife is just that, wild, and can act in unpredictable ways. Animals such as elk, moose, and birds can become aggressive to defend their young. 

Other dangers of approaching and feeding young wildlife include exposure to rabies, Salmonella, fleas, ticks, and other parasites, bacteria, or viruses that may be present in or on the animal. Likewise, humans can inadvertently expose wildlife to diseases carried by people.

What should you do if you see a baby bird out of a nest?

• If a nestling baby bird (eyes closed and featherless) has fallen from a nest that you can easily see and safely reach, it is okay to put the bird back into the nest, but you should wear gloves and a mask to prevent the transmission of diseases between you and the bird.
• If you find a fledgling bird (eyes open, feathered, can hop around but cannot fly) on the ground, do not pick up the bird. The parents will continue to care for it on the ground, and it will soon be able to fly. Keep cats inside to prevent them from killing birds. 
• Be careful when handling or observing young birds, as the mother can become aggressive towards you if she feels her young are threatened.  
• If you find a sick or dead bird, do not touch it. 
• Not sure what to do? Do not touch. Call your local Colorado Parks and Wildlife office and ask a trained wildlife officer for guidance. 

Colorado has a robust wildlife ecosystem, which is a valuable reminder that humans are just a part of the animal world around us. To learn more about living with wildlife in Colorado, visit cpw.state.co.us.