CONSERVING WILDLIFE
- SERVING PEOPLE -
Leave Newborn Wildlife Alone
05/21/2012
CHEYENNE - In the next several weeks, wildlife throughout Wyoming will be bearing their young. In view of this, the Wyoming Game and Fish Department asks that people take extreme care to stay away from young animals during this critical time.
People are also cautioned against picking up newborns because of potential harm to the animals. The department issued a reminder that picking up game animals is against the law, regardless if people think the animal has been abandoned by its mother.
In addition, state and federal laws prohibit the possession of game and many nongame species. The best option for people who come across newborn wildlife is to leave the animal alone.
According to the Game and Fish most animal mothers hide their young and return periodically to feed them or nurse. People finding young birds and animals often mistakenly assume that newborns have been abandoned, but this is rarely the case. The mother knows where her young are and will almost certainly return.
(Contact: Al Langston (307) 777-4540)
-WGFD-