Wildlife babies usually don't need rescuing - people should avoid accidentally rescuing baby animals during spring when they first venture away from nests and parents

Each spring, flocks of winter-weary people journey outdoors to enjoy the long-overdue warm weather. Some plant flowers and rake; others may play in the park. Many will find baby animals scurrying across the grass or chirping under a tree and -- with all humane intentions -- believe the animals are orphaned. So, they "rescue" them, inadvertently preventing the animals, parents from caring for their young.

"People usually find baby birds or mammals during spring and summer," explains Mark Pokras, director of the Wildlife Clinic at Tufts University School of Veterinary Medicine, North Grafton, Mass. "Some days, we get dozens and dozens of calls from these people asking how they can help the animals. But what these well-meaning people don't realize is that generally the babies were exactly where they were supposed to be, doing exactly what they were supposed to be doing, and didn't need to be rescued."

Many times, children find fledgling baby birds darting across the lawn or huddling under the shrubs. These babies have graduated from their naked, nestling stage and are now partially feathered. They either jump or fall from the nest during flight training. "If little Sam or Sally finds a baby bird on the ground and brings it into the house, parents can explain to the child that the baby is fine and will spend some time on the ground before it can fly. Its mother is keeping a watchful eye our for it and will continue to feed the fledging on the ground until it can fly in a few days," Pokras points out. "The right thing to do is to take the baby back outside so the parents can take care of it. Then watch and enjoy the baby from a distance, far enough away so the parents don't see you as a threat."

Spring also is a season when homeowners need to help protect wild babies nesting in their backyards. Cats should be kept in the house and dogs on a leash (always prudent year-round advice for the long-term health of companion animals). If someone wants to remove a rotting tree stump in the backyard, this may not be the best baby squirrels or song birds nesting in the hollow of the tree. By removing what many owners see as an eyesore, they may actually render these animals homeless, helpless, or injured." It is wise to check first, if possible. Better yet, wait until after baby season, during fall, to remove the rotting tree or stump, or leave it alone and help provide a home for future wild families whose habitat dwindles every year. If a bird nest has blown out of a tree, people can put it back and not worry about the adage warning against contaminating the nest or eggs with human scent because most birds have a poor sense of smell.

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