Springtime in nature means baby animals: Why Kentucky authorities say to leave them alone

KENTUCKY (FOX 56) — While visiting some of Kentucky’s many parks and scenic spots, you may see baby animals emerging during spring.

While at first, the sight of a small wild animal might be inviting, little creatures in the Bluegrass benefit a lot more without human interaction, according to the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife.

“It’s common for wildlife rehabilitators to receive animals that are thought to be orphans,” said Dr. Christine Casey, wildlife veterinarian with Kentucky Fish and Wildlife (KFW). “In reality, they were fine before someone with good intentions stepped in, trying to help in the wrong way.”

Spring is a busy season for many species of plants and animals throughout Kentucky, with flowers blooming, bugs buzzing, birds beginning to return from their vacations down south, and creatures stirring after a long winter.

Experts said rabbits start nesting as early as February, with mothers coming back to the den to feed their young well into the summer. By April, black bear mothers and their cubs will have emerged from their dens, and in the late spring, fawns will stay motionless and hidden as they gather the strength to return to their mothers, the department said.

“Wildlife parents will often leave their young in a safe spot while they go off to find food, sometimes even in places that are more developed, because they know their offspring will be safe there. Almost always, the parent is nearby and will come back to take care of them,” Casey said.

While a lone animal may seem in need of human help, KYFW officials said that wildlife parents often intentionally leave their young in a safe place while nearby.

State wildlife experts said it is illegal in Kentucky to remove young wildlife from its habitat. Only permitted wildlife rehabilitators can care for orphaned or injured wildlife in the Commonwealth.

It is also illegal in Kentucky to keep raccoons, skunks, bats, coyotes, and foxes as pets, as they are high-risk rabies carriers.

How can people help wildlife?

KYFW wrote in a news release that people can help young wildlife thrive by:

• Observing animals from a distance
• Securing trash cans and keeping food and other things that could attract animals indoors and safely stored
• Keeping children and pets away to prevent potential injury, or leaving a scent trail that could alert predators
• Check for young animals before mowing or working outdoors.

A list of certified wildlife rehabilitators in the Bluegrass can be found here. If you see animals showing signs of rabies, you can report it by calling 1-800-858-1549 or reporting it online here.

For more information about wildlife, visit the department’s website.