As spring turns into summer in Saskatchewan, it’s becoming increasingly common for residents to spot young animals alone in nature. But despite their apparent vulnerability, the best thing people can do is keep their distance, according to Conservation Officer Ted Glass.
“The real short answer is just to leave it alone,” said Glass. “There’s reasons why that animal is there, and very likely mum has put that animal there and told her kid to stay there. Don’t move. And they’ll be back.”
Glass said it’s common for mothers to watch their young from a distance, and interference from humans often causes more harm than good.
“We get two to three dozen calls every year from well-meaning people who are concerned that a baby has been abandoned,” he said. “This time of year, we see baby deer, baby antelope, and fledgling owls coming out of the nest. Just this week, I dealt with two people who were concerned about owls on the ground.”
He emphasized that while the instinct to help is natural, removing an animal from its environment can disrupt the delicate balance of nature. Human scent and presence can cause stress, confusion, and separation between a mother and her young.
“There are scent issues, we smell different. We make noises they’re not accustomed to,” he said. “We upset the balance that’s already there.”
There are also legal implications for disturbing wildlife. Possessing wild animals is illegal and comes with penalties, but Glass said the risks go beyond fines.
“There’s a danger to yourself and your pets,” he said. “Wild animals carry the same diseases that our pets can catch. So we’re doing our pets a disservice, and we’re doing wildlife a disservice by disturbing them.”
If someone believes a young animal is injured or truly orphaned, Glass encourages people to contact authorities before taking any action. Saskatchewan residents can call the 24-hour TIP line at 1-800-667-7561, or reach out to their local conservation officer.
“If you need to move the animal, give us a call first. If you think it’s injured, or it’s clearly injured, we can help with some of those solutions on a case-by-case basis,” he said.
He also encouraged parents to talk to their children about respecting wildlife boundaries.
“Look, don’t touch is the best solution,” he said. “These are wild animals. They do pose a certain amount of danger. They’re not your pet. If you take good care of your pets, we’ll let nature take care of the wild.”
Glass thanked members of the public and the media for helping spread the message.
“Every year, this is an issue,” he said. “And every year, we try our best to remind the public to take care.