The spring season brings many wildlife babies. As a volunteer at a local wildlife rehabilitation center, I would like to pass along some helpful information to your readers.
Well-meaning but misinformed people bring in babies that they believe are abandoned. In reality, they are not abandoned. As with bunnies, mother rabbits have their own separate nest and only visit the babies once every 24 hours to nurse them. This lessens the chances of predators noticing the babies.
So please, if you find a nest of bunnies, rest assured that they are being taken care of by their mother and are not abandoned. The same is true of fawns. The mother doe often forages, leaving the fawn alone, but will return.
Fledgling birds that cannot yet fly but are hopping around on the ground also are not abandoned. The parents are searching for food and return to feed the young bird while it practices its flying skills.
Please spread the word: If you care, leave them there.
