FRANKFORT, KY — The Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources is reminding people to leave baby animals alone.
According to a news release from the KDFWR, there is a surge of new wildlife during the spring. During this time of year, there are often well-meaning people who jeopardize these young animals in an attempt to “rescue” them.
This is why the KDFWR is urging the public to leave baby animals alone, even when they appear to be alone. The organization also wants to remind people to watch out for vulnerable wildlife while working outside or landscaping.
“Every year, well-meaning people often step in to ‘rescue’ a baby wild animal that is alone and appears to be abandoned, not realizing that the animal’s mother is usually nearby,” said Dr. Christine Casey, a wildlife veterinarian with the KDFWR. “Leaving young wildlife alone maximizes their likelihood of survival.”
The KDFWR says some species often leave their nest or young in a selected spot for extended periods while hunting or foraging for food, and to help keep predators away. This sometimes happens in developed areas, where wildlife parents have learned their offspring will be safe. In nearly all cases, the parent is nearby, but out of sight, and they will return as needed to feed and care for their young.
Some ways to help wild animals thrive include:
- Observing them from afar
- Keeping children and pets away from them to avoid injury or creating a scent trail that may attract a predator
- Checking a property or site for young animals before mowing or beginning outdoor projects
The KDFWR says another reason to stay away from young wildlife is the potential of spreading disease from wildlife to people. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 90% of reported cases of rabies in animals happen in wildlife.
“Being bitten by a wild animal that could potentially have rabies is a serious threat to people and their pets,” said Casey. “Any wild animal that bites a person must be euthanized and tested for rabies. It’s important to give animals space as they are often very stressed around people. We certainly don’t want people to be injured by wildlife, nor do we want to have to euthanize an animal to test for rabies because it bit someone in self-defense or fear when someone was trying to pet or handle it.”
People are only allowed to own wildlife under very special circumstances. This is regulated by state and federal laws, both to ensure the sustainability of wild populations and to protect public health.
In Kentucky, taking species with a high risk of rabies into captivity is even more regulated due to the risk of rabies transmission. The species most common of carrying rabies are raccoons, skunks, bats, coyotes, and foxes.
Only state-permitted wildlife rehabilitators are allowed to care for orphaned or injured wildlife in Kentucky.
Wild animals infected with rabies may not show any signs at first, but those with advanced symptoms may act aggressively or seem less fearful of people than normal, move in an uncontrollable manner, excessively drool, or bat at imaginary objects.
The KDFWR says rabies is 100% fatal in humans if left untreated. People can pick up the disease if they are bitten or scratched by a rabid animal, or if the saliva from a rabid animal gets into a person’s eyes, nose, mouth, or a fresh cut.
If you are bitten by a wild animal, you should immediately contact your healthcare provider or local public health department for help.
You can protect your pets from rabies by keeping them up to date on rabies vaccines and preventing them from having contact with wildlife.
To report an animal showing signs of rabies contact the KDFWR at 1-800-858-1549, or by contacting your county’s regional biologist.
More information about injured and orphaned wildlife can be found on the KDFWR’s website.