Each spring and summer, ODFW, wildlife rehabilitators and Oregon State Police are flooded with calls about young wildlife. Finding a young wild animal alone does not mean that it's been abandoned or orphaned, so it is important to leave them where they are found. Many wild animals end up losing any chance of survival when they’re removed from the wild, even if it’s only for a brief time.
In 2022 ODFW launched the Leave Wildlife Wild campaign to spread the message of leaving young wildlife alone through art. Four images were created featuring different animal species (deer fawn, seal pup, fledging bird and bear cub). The images were refreshed with new colors for 2023.
The goal of the campaign is to spread these images far and wide over social media during baby animal season. ODFW invites you to use these images as you see fit. Post them to social media, use them for printed materials or on websites, or print stickers to hand out.
Though these tiles are meant to stand alone by incorporating the main message into the art, key messages and supplemental text are provided for each image to add additional context. Messages shared should encourage people who find young wildlife they think is abandoned, injured or orphaned to call ODFW, a licensed wildlife rehabilitator or Oregon State Police before taking any action. Messages should emphasize that the best scenario for wildlife is often to leave young animals where they are found.
- Many wildlife species will leave their young while they forage for food. When people remove them from the wild, young animals miss the chance to learn where to seek cover, what to eat and how to escape from predators and other dangers. The best scenario for wildlife is often to leave young animals where they are found.
- Wildlife species invest an incredible amount of energy into reproducing and caring for their young - and sometimes it’s their one chance for the year. That investment translates to extraordinary care and dedication to their offspring.
- Removing an animal from the wild is illegal under Oregon wildlife laws. (ORS 497.308 – No person shall remove from its natural habitat or acquire and hold in captivity any live wildlife in violation of the wildlife laws.)
- Even if they receive care from a wildlife rehabilitator, successfully returning a young animal to the wild is not always possible. Options for long-term placement in wildlife sanctuaries or zoos are limited and not all animals will survive, much less thrive, in a life of captivity. Some animals can also become dangerous as they grow into adults and pose a serious threat to human safety. Wild animals have drastically different needs and requirements than domestic pets and it is essential to consider those requirements when making decisions about the welfare of animals taken from the wild.
Here's how to help instead:
- If you are certain an animal is orphaned because you confirmed the parent animal is not alive, or you see an animal that is injured, please call ODFW, a licensed wildlife rehabilitator or OSP for advice before taking action.
- Keep pets and other domestic animals away from wildlife. Pets will stress wildlife, especially if there are young wildlife or fledgling birds in your yard. Keep dogs on a leash when recreating outside. Keep cats indoors to protect them and our native wildlife.
- Don't feed wildlife. All species of wildlife have a specialized diet that coincides with seasonal changes. Access to human-provided food can negatively impact their health, lead to conflict with humans and in many cases have fatal consequences.
Harbor seal pups are born in late March through April. Females often leave their pups at haul-outs or along sandy beaches while searching for food. Never pick up or handle a seal pup or any other marine mammal you find at the beach. If you believe a seal pup is truly abandoned or visibly injured, call the Marine Mammal Stranding Network - 1-866-767-6114.
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Black bear cubs are born between mid-January and early February and leave the winter den with mom in the spring. Cubs found alone should never be removed from the wild. Their best chance of survival and the best overall scenario is for them to remain in the wild.
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Deer fawns are typically born between April and June. Female deer spend most of the day away from their young to forage for food and reduce the risk of a predator finding the fawn. Fawns are sometimes thought to be abandoned and removed from the wild by people, severely reducing their chance of survival. Female deer invest an extraordinary amount of energy and resources into their young – it is highly unlikely that they will abandon their fawn.
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Birds nest in the spring and young birds may be found from late February through early summer. Some baby birds, called fledglings, may become separated from their parents as they learn to fly. These are sometimes thought to be abandoned and brought to wildlife rehabbers. Unless obviously injured, birds should be left where they are or lifted carefully back onto a branch to help them avoid predators (like outdoor cats), so they have the best chance at survival.
Ducklings and goslings frequently become separated from their mothers due to disturbance from humans or predators. If you spot young waterfowl without a mother, please leave them alone and leave the area so the mother can return.
Detections of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in Oregon continue this year and it is important to avoid close contact with waterfowl (ducks and geese). Do not feed ducks and geese. Feeding congregates susceptible birds and enables the disease to spread between birds more easily. Also, note that Oregon's wildlife rehabilitators are not currently accepting sick ducks and geese to protect other avian patients and education birds in their care.
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