Most animals are born/hatching during spring/summer months. Within the captive environment of Roosevelt Park Zoo, we can keep a close eye on these events, but every effort is made to ensure it is a hands-off process and allow the instincts of the animals to rule the day. It is not always easy and can be very stressful to watch, but usually mom knows best.

The same is true when it comes to wild animals. Wild animals are amazing, and allowing them to raise their young is best. Interference with the best intentions can create the biggest problems not only for the animals but can create legal or health problems for well-meaning humans. Much of the problem comes from a lack of understanding about an animal’s natural history from well-meaning people who just want to help. My best advice is, “Think, before you act.”

Most hoofed animals like deer, moose or bison will stash their young in a spot to go off and feed. The calf/fawn will lie motionless, trying to be invisible to any potential predator until mom returns. They have not been abandoned. You can even see this behavior with the giraffe in the zoo the next time we have a calf. It is an instinctual survival technique that has served animals well for eons.

The N.D. Game & Fish Department (NDGFD) offers a simple message to the well-intentioned who want to pick up and rescue what appear to be orphaned baby animals this time of year: “Don’t touch them. Whether it is a young fawn, duckling, cottontail rabbit or a songbird, it is better to leave them alone.” This is not easy for some who honestly feel that by intervening, they are doing the right thing, and I can understand that. But I have also seen the results of these well-intended acts. It all kind of goes back to the phrase, “Just because you can, doesn’t mean you should.”

Juvenile songbirds are often found on the ground. With strong winds forecast this week, there may be more than usual. The NDGFD recommends, “The only time a baby animal should be picked up is if it is in an unnatural situation, such as a young songbird found on a doorstep. In that case, the young bird can be moved to the closest suitable habitat.”

Mom and/or dad are probably nearby and waiting for you to leave their chick so they can feed it. If not, there may be a health reason they kicked a chick from the nest. Like I mentioned earlier, it is not always easy and can be very stressful to watch, but usually mom knows best. There is a lot of great information regarding this topic and others at https://gf.nd.gov/wildlife.

Nature can be beautiful, and it can be heartbreaking. Most animals raised by humans not trained in wildlife rehabilitation may never be able to survive if released back into the wild. There are ways to support wildlife without coming into direct contact. Plant pollinator gardens, native shrubs and trees along with windrow plants that provide a natural food source and cover to native birds. You can keep your cat in the house or at least put a bell on its collar to warn birds of its proximity. Everyone wants to help, but we just need to make sure we are indeed helping.