EAU CLAIRE, Wis. (WEAU) -Spring is here, and with it comes baby animals so the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and a local wildlife rehab center want to remind people what to do if they come across wildlife.
White-tailed fawns, raccoons, gray squirrels, and gray rabbits are just some wildlife you may encounter in Wisconsin as we enter a new season. Although it may be tempting to get up close to our furry friends, especially the babies, the Wisconsin DNR Captive Wildlife Health Specialist, Jenna Fastner, warns it could be dangerous for the animals and people.
“There are diseases that can be passed from human to animal and from animal to human, ” Fastner said. “There are human safety aspects that need to be taken into account. Especially when it comes to wearing proper protective gear, such as gloves and all of that kind of stuff. I mean wild animals have teeth, they have talons.”
That’s why the DNR has declared Monday, April 1 through Friday, April 5 Keep Wildlife Wild Week, a reminder to check in with the experts when coming across an animal that may need help. Like Elise Bauer and those who volunteer at the Chippewa Valley Wildlife Rehabilitation Center, where for the past 14 years, they’ve helped care for wildlife.
“We’re caring for them around the clock,” Chippewa Valley Wildlife Rehabilitation Center volunteer Callie Krzyzaniak said. “They cannot regulate their heat, they cannot go to the bathroom on their own, so you’re providing all that hands-on care. Then, as they get older and start to be more playful. We do a lot of enrichment with toys.”
If you encounter a baby animal that looks like it is injured or out of place you should take the following steps.
“You want to leave the animal where it is unless you can see it’s in immediate danger or it’s obviously injured,” Krzyzaniak said. “And you would want to call the Chippewa Valley Wildlife Rehabilitation and we can walk you through the next steps.”
“The first move is absolutely give it its space,” Fastner said. “If you are right next to it the mom’s not going to come back. They’re not going to come feed, do anything like that. You want to keep your distance and take note of what you’re seeing. Potentially take pictures. Take videos. That helps us as professionals assess the situation.”
The reason it’s so important to keep your distance from a baby animal is to ensure the baby’s mother comes back because the mother knows best.
“The care that we provide here is going to be to the best of our ability, but it’s never going to perfectly replicate what they would learn from their mother,” Fastner said.
For more information on what to do if you encounter wildlife click here. If you come across an animal that needs help in the Chippewa Valley contact the Chippewa Valley Wildlife Rehabilitation Center here.
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