Pennsylvania Game Commission: Leave young animals alone

The Game Commission is urging Pennsylvanians not to interfere with young wildlife or remove any wild animal from its natural setting at a time when encountering them is likely.

“Well-intentioned people might step in to help a young animal that appears to be alone, not realizing its mother is nearby and it’s not in need of help,” said Matthew Schnupp, the Game Commission’s wildlife management director, in a news release. “That’s one reason why leaving young wildlife undisturbed in the wild typically is the best solution when encountering young wild animals.”

While young animals might appear to be abandoned, usually they aren’t. It’s likely their mothers are watching over them from somewhere nearby, the commission says.

The best thing to do when encountering young wildlife is to leave it alone.

Contact can be harmful to both people and wildlife. Wild animals can lose their natural fear of humans, making it difficult or even impossible for them to ever again live normally in the wild. And if wildlife is handled, there’s always a risk people could contract diseases or parasites like fleas, ticks, lice and rabies.

It is illegal to take or possess wildlife from the wild. Under state law, the penalty for such a violation is a fine of up to $1,500 per animal.

Only wildlife rehabilitators who are licensed by the Game Commission are permitted to care for injured or orphaned wildlife for the purposes of eventual release back into the wild. For a list of licensed wildlife rehabilitators, visit www.pawr.com.

If you are unable to identify a wildlife rehabilitator in your area, contact the Game Commission at 1-833-PGC-WILD.

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