DAVENPORT, Iowa (WQAD) – Springtime is upon us, and that means you’re likely to see wild baby animals.

The Iowa DNR says its offices get hundreds of calls about orphaned wildlife around this time of year.

From baby squirrels, fawns, and raccoons, biologists say they’ve seen it all.

But it turns out most wildlife reported to the DNR aren’t orphaned after all, and good intentions can have bad outcomes.

Iowa DNR Wildlife Diversity Program Coordinator Karen Kinkea says when people try to “rescue” a baby animal, it often leads to its death.

“Many of the mothers when they give birth are inside their own territory,” Kinkead said. “And they know that area very well, and they’ll leave their young where they feel safe, and they expect their young to be hidden. And they may go off to take a quick nap or get something to eat. But they are nearby; we just don’t see them.”

The DNR says to leave the baby animals alone.

Wildlife babies can be taken to a rehabilitation center. Find a list of Iowa-based spots here.

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