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When to Help — and When to Leave a Wild Animal Alone

Finding a wild animal that appears injured, abandoned or in danger can make you want to act immediately. But when it comes to wildlife, helping does not always mean picking the animal up.

Many young wild animals that appear to be alone are actually being cared for by a parent nearby. In other situations, an animal may genuinely be injured and need professional help.

Knowing the difference can protect both you and the animal.

Stop and Observe First

Before approaching a wild animal, take a few minutes to observe from a safe distance.

Look at the animal and the surrounding area.

Ask yourself:

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service recommends observing the situation before intervening. Many wild animals that appear to have been abandoned do not actually need to be rescued.

A Baby Animal Alone Is Not Necessarily Orphaned

This is one of the most important wildlife safety lessons.

Wildlife parents do not always remain beside their babies.

White-tailed deer, rabbits, birds and many other animals may leave their young alone while they search for food or avoid attracting predators to the area.

A fawn lying quietly by itself, for example is not automatically abandoned.

Michigan’s Department of Natural Resources notes that many wild parents intentionally hide their young and return later. In most cases, leaving healthy young wildlife where it was found gives it the best chance of survival.

Watch from a distance whenever possible. Staying too close may actually prevent a nervous parent from returning.

Signs a Wild Animal May Really Need Help

Professional assistance may be necessary when an animal:

If you are uncertain, call a wildlife rehabilitator before taking action.

A rehabilitator can often determine whether intervention is necessary simply by asking questions about the animal’s appearance, behavior, age and location.

Do Not Immediately Pick the Animal Up

An injured animal may be frightened, painful, confused or defensive.

Even normally gentle wildlife can bite, scratch, kick or strike when frightened.

Larger animals such as deer can cause serious injuries with their legs and hooves, while smaller mammals can bite. Birds of prey have powerful feet and talons.

Wild animals can also carry diseases and parasites that can affect people or pets.

The CDC recommends enjoying wildlife from a distance and avoiding direct contact whenever possible.

Unless the animal is facing immediate danger, contact a professional before attempting to capture or move it.

Don’t Feed an Injured or Orphaned Animal

Offering food may seem helpful, but feeding wildlife without knowing the animal’s species, age, condition and nutritional requirements can cause serious problems.

The same applies to giving water directly into an animal’s mouth.

A frightened, injured, dehydrated or neurologically impaired animal may accidentally inhale liquid into its lungs.

Wildlife rehabilitators use species-specific diets and feeding techniques.

Your safest first step is usually:

Keep the animal safe, quiet and away from unnecessary human contact while contacting a licensed wildlife rehabilitator for instructions.

Keep Children and Pets Away

Dogs and cats should be brought inside or kept securely away from the animal.

Even if your pet is normally friendly, contact between domestic animals and wildlife can result in:

Pets should also be kept current on veterinarian-recommended vaccinations, including rabies vaccination where required or recommended.

Never Feed Wildlife to Make It Stay

There is an important difference between temporarily helping an animal in distress and regularly feeding wild animals.

Feeding wildlife can cause animals to lose their natural fear of humans and begin associating houses, vehicles, campsites or people with food.

The National Park Service warns that animals accustomed to human food may begin approaching, begging from or becoming aggressive toward people.

Trash, pet food, unsecured bird seed, outdoor food scraps and improperly stored garbage can also unintentionally attract wildlife.

Helping wildlife often means allowing it to remain wild.

What If the Animal Is in the Road?

Do not put yourself or other motorists in danger.

If an injured animal is in an active roadway:

Large injured wildlife such as deer can be especially dangerous to approach.

An animal that appears unable to move can suddenly stand, kick or attempt to flee when frightened.

Be Especially Careful Around Bats and Other Rabies-Risk Wildlife

Any mammal can potentially contract rabies, although certain wildlife species account for more cases than others.

In the United States, animals commonly associated with rabies include bats, raccoons, skunks and foxes.

Never handle a wild mammal behaving strangely with your bare hands.

Unusual behavior can include:

However, unusual behavior does not automatically mean an animal has rabies. Injury, poisoning, neurological disease, trauma and other illnesses can cause similar symptoms.

If you are bitten or scratched by a wild animal, wash the affected area thoroughly with soap and water and contact a healthcare provider or public health department promptly for guidance about rabies exposure and other possible infections.

Contact a Licensed Wildlife Rehabilitator

Wildlife rehabilitation requires specialized training, facilities, knowledge and permits.

Depending on the species and location, state and federal permits may be required to legally possess and rehabilitate wildlife.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service recommends contacting a qualified professional when injured or orphaned wildlife needs assistance.

Your state wildlife agency, local animal control agency, veterinarian or licensed wildlife rehabilitator may be able to help determine the appropriate next step.

Do not assume that every animal shelter or veterinary hospital accepts wildlife. Call first whenever possible.

Sometimes Helping Means Leaving Wildlife Alone

It can be difficult to walk away from a small animal sitting quietly by itself.

But wildlife has survived for generations using behaviors that can sometimes look unusual to us.

A mother deer leaving her fawn hidden in vegetation, a young bird spending time on the ground while learning to fly or a rabbit nest appearing unattended does not necessarily mean something is wrong.

Intervening when an animal does not need help can unintentionally separate a healthy baby from its parent.

Observe first.

Keep your distance.

Protect the animal from pets and unnecessary human activity.

And when something truly appears wrong, contact someone trained to help.

A World of Kindness Starts With Knowing When to Help

Wanting to protect wildlife is a good instinct. The safest way to turn that compassion into action is to understand when intervention is necessary — and when nature should be allowed to take its course.

Sometimes saving an animal means getting professional help.

Sometimes it means keeping dogs and people away.

And sometimes the kindest thing you can do is simply watch from a distance and let a wild family remain together.

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