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DNR Says Leave Young Critters Alone

Pixabay

  As Wisconsin’s woods green up and young wildlife emerge, the DNR and Keep Wildlife Wild Committee is reminding wildlife enthusiasts to watch critters from a distance. Wildlife Biologist and committee head Dianne Robinson says people assume a young critter in the wild is orphaned, but says mothers leave their young to gather food or to protect them from predators. She says human interaction does more harm than good.

“…if you find a nest of young rabbits and mom’s nowhere nearby, that’s not necessarily a situation that warrants assistance. More often than not mom is nearby and can see you, but is staying away from the nest because her scent would draw predators to that nest.”

Robinson says leave animals alone unless they’re injured. She says to prevent orphaned animals  people should control their pets when outdoors,  keep pet food and garbage inside and stay alert when on wildlife roads.

If you think an animal is orphaned contact your local wildlife rehabilitator before touching or moving the animal.

For more information visit the DNR’s website

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