DEC: Leave young wildlife alone

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June 4, 2012

DEC: Leave young wildlife alone

Anonymous Staff Report The Daily Star Mon Jun 04, 2012, 03:30 AM EDT

Area residents who discover young wildlife were asked to keep their distance in a recent release from the state Department of Environmental Conservation.

The DEC is promoting the slogan "If You Care, Leave It There" with regard to young wildlife. The agency warns that many people assume young wildlife, such as fawns, baby rabbits or young birds, are helpless and abandoned, when in fact they are in no danger, and intervention may cause more harm than good.

According to the DEC, fawns are born during late May and the first half of June. While fawns are able to walk shortly after birth, they spend most of their first several days lying still, and are usually left alone by the mother except when nursing. Fawns should never be picked up. If human presence is detected by the doe, the doe may delay its next visit to nurse.

The DEC also advises that it is illegal to keep wild animals as pets, and that wild animals may carry diseases that can be transmitted to people.

For more information and answers to frequently asked questions about young wildlife, visit www.dec.ny.gov.

Area residents who see injured or distressed wildlife may contact the regional DEC office for guidance. Residents of Delaware, Otsego and Schoharie counties can call 652-7367; residents of Chenango County can call 753-3095, ext. 247.