If You Care—Leave Them There!

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One of the most significant threats to deer and antelope fawns, wild rabbits, infant raccoons, or other newborn wild animals is the risk of being taken from the wild by people who think they have found the tiny creature abandoned, or that it can be tamed and made into a pet, say Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks wildlife managers.

Unfortunately, in most cases these newborns are healthy wild animals with a parent nearby. It is natural behavior for wild animals to cache their young for periods of time to protect them from predators, but humans tend to misread this strategy as abandonment. That is why Montana has laws prohibiting the capture, feeding, possession and harassment of wildlife—both game and nongame species. These laws also protect Montana’s wild animals from becoming "pets."

Several years ago, FWP adopted a spring campaign slogan: "If you care, leave them there." This spring, when so many species are birthing their young, please keep this thought in mind as you enjoy the outdoors. To learn more about living with young wildlife, visit the FWP web site at fwp.mt.gov to read: If You Care, Leave That Cub There If You Care, Leave Them There This Spring Living With Wildlife