Arizona: AZGFD Reminds Public to Leave Baby Wildlife Alone

By Duncan Johnson

PHOENIX —-(Ammoland.com)- Within the past several weeks, well-intentioned people have delivered several deer fawns to Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) offices believing that the animals were abandoned by their parents.

While the department understands the public’s desire to help, in reality they’re often taking a newborn or juvenile animal from its parents, which likely “parked” the baby in one location while they foraged for food and water for long periods of time. If the fawn appears alert and healthy it is best to leave the animal alone and to walk away.

“Picking up or ‘rescuing’ baby wildlife unnecessarily and most often leaves the animal an orphan,” said Mike Demlong, Arizona Game and Fish Department Wildlife Education program manager. “The mother is often left searching for her young and baby wildlife raised by humans are less likely to survive when they are released back into the wild. Deer fawns and elk calves cannot be returned to the wild.”

AZGFD reminds those who come across young or baby wildlife to leave them alone. …Read the Rest

Source:: AmmoLand