The Northwoods is greening up and young wildlife is beginning to emerge making spring an opportune time to observe young critters, but the Keep Wildlife Wild committee is reminding wildlife enthusiasts to watch from a distance. Wildlife Rehabilitator Jeremy Holtz says many species rely on leaving their young unattended to keep danger away. He says never assume an animal is orphaned…
“…so you’ve got to really take a little time to look at the animals and determine if the behavior you’re seeing is that of a healthy normal animal; just young and inexperienced, or if you’re seeing an animal that’s injured, sick or orphaned and is crying out and wandering around unattended for more than a couple hours…”
Holtz says the DNR website has a list of species and how healthy animals should look and act, but he says one species that’s not listed is the black bear…
“… and if they see an unattended cub in a tree, bears actually select what they call a babysitter tree. It’s usually a white pine, a large red pine; a big tree. And they’ll send the cub up there and they’ll go sometimes up to two miles away to feed and leave the cubs unattended for hours…”
Holtz says if an animal is hurt contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator; otherwise observe animals from a safe distance through binoculars. He says to avoid orphaned animals people should control family pets when outdoors, stay alert for wildlife on roads and keep pet food and garbage inside.
For more information visit the DNR’s website and search keep wildlife wild.
