What should you do if you find a baby animal alone? Don’t try kidnapping, experts say

Don’t kidnap young animals, a state’s fish and wildlife department reminds everyone.

Newborn fawns, elk calves and other young wildlife will soon start appearing outdoors — andoccasionally in some people’s backyards, the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife said in a news release. But you shouldn’t assume the animal needs your help.

“This is the time of year when deer fawns are born — and there is a chance you will come upon one that’s all alone,” ODFW said. “Please don’t assume any young animal is orphaned just because it’s alone —and don’t pick it up.”

Mothers often leave their young offspring alone for extended periods of time so they can find food, the wildlife department said. They will return when it’s safe if there are no people or predators around.

“Unfortunately, every year around this time, ODFW offices, licensed wildlife rehabilitators and even Oregon State Police are flooded with calls from people who picked up a deer fawn, elk calf, fledgling bird learning to fly, or other young animal they assumed was orphaned because it was alone,” ODFW said.

Animals that humans touch have to be removed from their environment and aren’t able to learn important survival skills from their parents, which results in a shorter lifespan or a life in captivity, ODFW said.

Wildlife officials said you should never assume an animal is orphaned, and you shouldn’t remove it from its environment. If you see a young animal with a dead parent or the parent hasn’t returned for a long period of time, call your local wildlife office.

“Female deer and elk and other mammals will often leave their young temporarily for safety reasons or to feed elsewhere,” ODFW said. “They will return when it is safe to do so (when people, dogs, or predators are not present).”

This story was originally published June 1, 2020 at 1:29 PM with the headline "What should you do if you find a baby animal alone? Don’t try kidnapping, experts say."