Idaho Fish and Game Warns Against “Rescuing” Baby Wildlife This Spring

Spring has arrived in Idaho and with it comes the annual surge of young wildlife appearing across the state’s forests, meadows, and waterways. Idaho Fish and Game is urging the public to resist the urge to intervene when they encounter baby animals that appear to be alone.

Each spring, the agency fields calls from residents who believe they have rescued a lost or orphaned animal. Fawns, ducklings, goslings, and young birds are among the most commonly “rescued” species. In most cases the animal was never in danger to begin with.

Wildlife parents routinely leave their young for hours at a time while foraging for food, resting, or drawing predators away from their offspring. Deer, elk, and pronghorn commonly tuck fawns into dense brush before leaving to feed. Young birds fresh out of the nest remain under parental supervision even while grounded, as adult birds continue feeding them until they can survive independently.

When people remove these animals from the wild, the consequences can be serious. Young wildlife require specialized care that most households cannot provide, and taking most species from the wild is illegal in Idaho.

If you encounter a baby animal that appears to be alone, observe it from a distance and leave it undisturbed. If you have genuine concerns about whether an animal is injured or truly orphaned, contact your nearest Fish and Game regional office. Staff are available to answer questions and will intervene when it is genuinely necessary.

The bottom line, according to the agency, is that wildlife mothers are better equipped to raise their young than well-meaning humans.

• Categories:  
• Idaho
• Wildlife