If you encounter young animals in the wild, it may be tempting to approach them or even try to touch them. After all, they’re cute! Plus, maybe you’re concerned the animal is hurt or lost and you want to help it. But interfering with young wildlife is almost always a bad idea, for a variety of reasons.
Many species of animals leave their offspring alone for periods of time. Moving or touching those young animals while the parents are away could put them at risk of abandonment, injury or even death. And in the case of some species, a protective parent may be nearby, putting you at risk of injury!
Even getting close to wild animals can cause them stress – so please, no selfies with the fawn. Most of those amazing “close-up” wildlife photos you see online were taken with long-distance telephoto lenses. If you’re close enough to have a wild animal fill the frame on your phone camera, you’re probably too close for that creature’s comfort.
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Mule deer fawn. Photo by Charlotte Ganskopp/ODFW.
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Coyote pup in a culvert at St. Johns Prairie
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Red fox kit. Photo by Charlotte Ganskopp/ODFW.
Ready for their not-so-close-up: Most wildlife photographers take their photos with long lenses from far away to avoid disturbing sensitive wildlife.
Scientists and park staff agree that in almost all cases, the best thing you can do for young wild animals is to leave them be. Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) biologist Tessa Ott warns people not to put too much stock in what they see about wildlife “rescues” on social media.
“While often portrayed in videos as cute, wild animals are generally terrified of humans and our presence can cause extreme stress,” says Ott. “This stress can resolve in what we refer to as ‘capture myopathy,’ meaning that the stress from being handled by humans is enough to cause death.”
These are some reasons why taking young wildlife home is illegal, regardless of one’s intentions. Removing wildlife from the wild and keeping it in captivity without a permit is considered a Class A misdemeanor, punishable by up to one year in jail and a $6,250 fine.
Of course, sometimes a young wild animal may actually need help. So how do you tell? Below are some tips to handle each situation:
What to do when you see a young wild animal
In almost every situation, young mammals – including deer, rabbits, squirrels, beavers and other common local wildlife – should be left alone. Approaching or touching the animals can put them at risk of being abandoned by their parents. However, if a young animal is noticeably injured or if you are able to see that their parent is dead, you can reach out to the ODFW (866-968-2600) or a local wildlife rehabilitation center for help. If you’re at a Metro park or natural area, you can look for a park ranger.
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Hummingbird chicks. Photo by Judy Bevilacqua.
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Duckling at Blue Lake Regional Park. Photo by Monica Gration.
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Bittern chicks. Photo by Genaro Hernandez.
Really, we're fine: Fledgling birds may look like they've been abandoned, but usually they're just flexing their wings.
What to do when you see young birds
You may see young birds on the ground as they are learning to fly. This does not always mean the bird fell out of the nest: They may just be making a practice foray out of their nest. A fledgling – a young, feathered bird – may spend days on the ground during their development. Their parents are probably still nearby, stopping by to feed them. During this time, it’s important to keep the area clear of pets and other disturbances.
“Most baby birds need to come out of the nest at a certain age so they can learn to forage,” says Metro Parks and Nature natural resource scientist Katy Weil. “If songbirds stayed in their small nests all the way through adolescence, those tail feathers would never fit!”
If you see a very young bird – in other words, one without many feathers – you can look for its nest nearby and return the baby bird to it. Despite what you may have heard, birds won’t abandon a nestling because it smells of human.
“Birds have a diminished sense of smell, so if absolutely necessary and advised to do so, people can gently put baby birds back into nests if the situation allows,” says Weil. “This applies to those nestling birds, without enough feathering yet to stay warm.”
If you see a young bird that is clearly injured or in distress, contact ODFW or a licensed wildlife rehabilitator. If you’re at a Metro park, contact park staff.
What to do when you see bear cubs, cougar cubs, or other predators
Stay far away from these young, as their mother is likely nearby. Mother bears and cougars can be especially aggressive if they feel their offspring are threatened. If you stumble on these young animals by accident, leave the area slowly while carefully observing your surroundings. If you are at a Metro park and see young predators, let park staff know as soon as possible.
“Our team works to keep both humans and animals safe,” says Metro parks operations manager Monty Woods. "Often the animals will move on after a few days – heavily used parks are usually too busy for these larger animals’ comfort.
“Encounters with wildlife are one of the most fascinating parts about visiting a park,” adds Woods. “I encourage visitors to learn about what type of wildlife is active in a specific area and how to best be prepared for an encounter.”
A good resource is the ODFW’s “Living with Wildlife” web pages.
If you’re visiting a Metro park, you can check that park’s web page at oregonmetro.gov/parks to learn about any active alerts regarding wildlife sightings.