As temperatures rise and more people head outdoors, conservation officials are reminding the public not to interfere with young wild animals, even if they appear to be alone.
It is common for animals to leave their young unattended for long periods while they forage for food or stay hidden from predators. In most cases, the mother is nearby and monitoring from a distance.
Human intervention can cause significant harm to wildlife. Well-meaning actions may disrupt natural behaviours and can even be fatal for the animal.
Removing a wild animal from its environment is illegal. Young wildlife are not pets and may carry infectious diseases such as rabies or West Nile virus, which can pose a risk to humans.
Officials advise contacting a conservation officer, such as the Kindersley Conservation Office at 1-800-567-4224 or the Turn in Poachers and Polluters (TIPP) line at 1-800-667-7561 if an animal shows signs of distress, such as injury, vocalizing, remaining in the same spot for several hours, or if the mother is found dead nearby.
The public is encouraged to observe wildlife from a distance and avoid unnecessary contact.