Wildlife Agencies Urge Residents Nationwide to Leave Fawns, Baby Animals Alone

Wildlife authorities across several states, including North Carolina, Idaho, South Carolina, Ohio, and Arizona, are urging the public not to disturb baby animals such as deer fawns and birds found alone in the wild during spring and early summer. Experts emphasize that these young animals are usually not abandoned; their parents are often nearby, keeping a watchful eye or searching for food. Intervening can lead to unintentional harm, including abandonment by the mother or attracting predators, and in some cases, removing wildlife from their habitat is illegal. While the instinct to help is strong, officials recommend leaving healthy animals alone and contacting wildlife professionals only if the animal appears injured, sick, or orphaned. Returning animals to their parents is not always possible once they are moved. The consistent message from wildlife agencies is to keep wildlife wild for their safety and the health of local ecosystems.