As the weather gets warm, New Jersey’s wildlife starts to quickly reappear. Birds are singing loudly and squirrels are chasing each other across lawns, which means baby season is just around the corner!
As you spend more time outside doing yard work or going on walks and hikes, you may come across wildlife that looks like it needs help. This is a great time for a reminder of when it is appropriate to intervene with wildlife and when Mother Nature should be left to her own devices.
Many of New Jersey’s native animals leave the young unattended for long periods of time throughout the day normally. It is important to identify whether a baby has been abandoned or if mom is just around the corner keeping a close eye on her young.
Healthy juvenile wildlife that are “kidnapped” by well-meaning good samaritans are deprived of natural learning experiences obtained from their parents including how to find food, seek shelter, and avoid predators. In addition, birds learn their species-specific songs from their parents and other relatives. Intervention is only necessary for animals that are injured and need medical attention.
If you find wildlife that is injured or if you have questions, contact your local wildlife rehabilitator or veterinary hospital. Information and a list of NJ rehabilitators can be found here.
Rehabilitators are licensed by the State of New Jersey in the care and management of wild animals. Most wildlife species in New Jersey are protected by state and/or federal law and cannot be kept in captivity without proper licensing and permits. These animals should not be kept as pets. Keeping wildlife without the proper permits can results in confiscation of the animal and monetary fines as well as some unintended, potentially harmful consequences such as human exposure to diseases carried by wildlife (even if they appear healthy) or altering wildlife behavior that then prevents them from being able to be released back into their natural environment.
Wildlife rehabilitators are specially trained on how best to help wildlife while avoiding unintended consequences. So, if you find injured wildlife and want to help it, please contact your local wildlife rehabilitator or your local veterinary office.