IDNR: Leave wild baby animals alone
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WMBD) — As the weather warms up, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources is reminding you to leave young wildlife alone.
In a release, the department said most of the time, people see what appears to be an abandoned rabbit, fawn, bird, or other young animal and want to help it. But human intervention can cause more harm than good, they said.
That's because young animals are generally fed by their parents, who will stay away from the den or nest if humans are close by.
'The most helpful thing people can do for wildlife is to enjoy the animals through observation, not interference,' said IDNR Director Natalie Phelps Finnie. 'If you really care about the animals, just leave them alone when you come across them in nature.'
Not only is it not good for the animal, but it is also illegal to keep wildlife that has appeared to be abandoned under the Illinois Wildlife Code.
The code extends coverage to most birds, including protection of eggs, nests, and feathers, the release said.
Some additional reminders about wildlife in Illinois, according to the release:
Birds: Birds often leave the nest before they can fly. Known as fledglings, these birds will live on the ground for a few days while they grow flight feathers, and you may hear them making noises calling for their parents. They do this so their parents will continue to feed them, and it doesn't mean they are in trouble. Keep children and pets away.
Deer: A fawn left on its own is not necessarily abandoned. Young fawns don't possess the speed or stamina to flee until they are about 2 weeks old. As a result, their mothers will leave them to lie quietly and motionless in nearby tall grass or brushy cover while they forage. A fawn may truly be orphaned if you notice it in the same spot for two or three days and constantly calling for its mother. At that point, it's time to call a licensed wildlife rehabilitator to aid the fawn.
Rabbits: Rabbits often build their nests in shallow holes or depressions in the ground, and they're frequently found in the middle of lawns and gardens. Mother rabbits commonly return to the nest only at dusk and dawn to feed their young, limiting daytime activity to prevent predators from noticing. Rabbits will begin to leave the nest around three or four weeks of age. Young rabbits outside the nest do not need help, but it's important to keep children or pets away from the nest and venturing babies.
For more important information on wildlife, visit Wildlife Illinois.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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