Springtime can mean two things on the Saskatchewan prairies; young animals starting their lives in the wild and humans getting out into nature.
These two things do not mix.
While animals may be fine to watch from a distance, Saskatchewan conservation officers are urging people to avoid helping young animals that may appear alone or lost.
“In the majority of cases, these young animals are not abandoned or deserted, and the mother is nearby watching. Young animals and birds are purposely placed into seclusion by their mothers to protect them from predators,” says a Government of Saskatchewan press release.
Baby animals, like fawns and moose, do not have a smell so they cannot be found by predators, says the press release. As soon as the young animal comes into contact with humans, their chance for survival drops considerably.
Animals also could be carrying disease that can be transmitted to humans, like rabies and West Nile Virus.
The message that conservation officers want to get across is simple, no matter how well intentioned you are, do not touch baby animals.
“A young animal should only be picked up if the parent is found dead nearby, or in unnatural situations such as a young songbird found on a doorstep.”
If the animal is obviously injured or shows other signs of distress, please call a local conservation officer.
Especially with recent new stories about animals in urban areas, officers are also urging people to steer clear considering large crowds can cause undo stress to the animal, “and this could lead to a potentially dangerous situation. Give wildlife their space.”
