What to do if you encounter common wildlife babies this spring

Female mallard and ducklings. Photo by Larry James.

Every spring, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) and permitted wildlife rehabilitators receive calls from concerned members of the public who find young wildlife alone, with no adult in sight. Has the baby animal been abandoned? What do you do? Should you intervene?

Many wildlife species may leave their young unattended, even for long periods at a time, while the adult searches for food or to keep their own presence from attracting unwanted attention to their offspring. Wildlife has a much better chance at success in the wild when they can be raised by adults. Removing young wildlife that do not actually need help can be harmful or even fatal for the animal.

Hundreds of young wild animals such as fawns, seal pups, and fledgling birds are unnecessarily “rescued” every year. Concern for a young animal’s wellbeing can motivate people to remove wildlife from their habitat to try and help them. Unfortunately, this “help” often does more harm than good. Just because wildlife babies are alone does not mean they need help!

In the best cases, the wildlife is brought to a permitted wildlife rehabilitator — but if the young animal is healthy and doesn’t need human intervention, this needlessly interrupts the animal’s natural life cycle. It also overwhelms already-busy rehabilitators who need to focus on wildlife that truly need help.

Worse still, sometimes wild animals are taken to places that are not permitted to care for wildlife, or people bring the animal into their home to try and care for it themselves. It is illegal for anyone without a permit to hold or attempt to care for wildlife. Attempting to care for wildlife without the appropriate skills and experience can make the situation worse.

Permitted wildlife rehabilitators are experts who are able to assess if wildlife need professional rehabilitation. They can assess whether wildlife need help and what the best path forward is for the wellbeing of the animal, even if they must make the difficult decision to compassionately euthanize it. Permitted rehabilitators are also an important resource for educating the public and providing information about wildlife and rehabilitation.

Always contact a permitted wildlife rehabilitator before attempting to rescue any wildlife, and follow these tips for what to do if you encounter common young wildlife this spring.

Mule deer doe and fawns. WDFW photo.

Baby deer

Baby deer, called fawns, are often found alone by well-meaning individuals concerned that the fawn has been abandoned. However, this is their natural defense! The female deer, called a doe, will leave her fawn(s) in a spot that she feels is safe while she is out foraging. By leaving her fawns unattended, the doe also prevents her own presence from attracting unwanted attention to her offspring. She may leave her fawns alone for extended periods, sometimes only returning at dawn and dusk.

Sometimes, the doe chooses to leave her fawn(s) in places that humans do not think are suitable. Fawns have been found in backyards, on doorsteps, or on median islands near roads or in parking lots. Problems can arise if domestic animals or pets find the fawns, or if people disturb them. Off-leash dogs commonly find and disturb resting fawns.

Please do not touch or relocate a fawn without speaking to a professional first. This is for both the fawn’s wellbeing and your own. The doe probably hasn’t gone far, and female deer can be extremely protective of their young. Does may strike, kick, or stomp with their hooves or charge at you if they perceive you as a threat to their offspring. This is especially true in neighborhoods where people have been feeding deer, reducing their natural fear of people.

If you think that a fawn has been truly abandoned, please call a permitted wildlife rehabilitator. These signs may indicate that the fawn needs help:

1. They are visibly injured.
2. They are near a deceased doe.
3. They are laying flat out; they should be laying curled up like a cat, with their head down.
4. They are wandering around crying or trying to nurse on inanimate objects.

Chronic wasting disease (CWD)

Chronic wasting disease (CWD) is an always-fatal disease of deer, moose, and elk (cervids) that is easily spread between animals and through infected environments. CWD was first detected in Washington in 2024 and WDFW is working proactively to slow the spread of this disease, which has currently been confirmed in Spokane and Pend Orielle counties.

WDFW is no longer allowing permitted wildlife rehabilitators to accept deer, elk, or moose for rehabilitation in WDFW’s Eastern Region (Asotin, Columbia, Ferry, Garfield, Lincoln, Pend Oreille, Spokane, Stevens, Walla Walla, and Whitman counties) due to the risk of spreading CWD. Permitted wildlife rehabilitators elsewhere in the state are also not allowed to accept deer, elk, or moose that are brought to them from Eastern Washington.

Do your part to slow the spread of CWD. Do not intervene with a fawn until you have spoken to a permitted wildlife rehabilitator, especially if you are located in Asotin, Columbia, Ferry, Garfield, Lincoln, Pend Oreille, Spokane, Stevens, Walla Walla, and Whitman counties. Do not transfer fawns from these counties into other places in Washington; permitted rehabilitators will not accept them.

Moving wildlife to rehabilitation facilities risks spreading disease to uninfected animals and new areas. Most animals infected with CWD do not show outward signs until the final stages of the disease, which may take months to years — during which time the animal can be infecting others. Suspending cervid rehabilitation ensures the disease is not spreading through rehabilitation efforts, and is the responsible action to protect Washington’s wildlife populations long-term.

Fledgling marsh wren. Photo by Larry James.

Baby birds

If you come across a baby bird on the ground that is partially or fully feathered, chances are it does not need your help. Most birds in Washington go through a fledgling stage, where they are partially feathered and ready to leave the nest. The fledgling moves down to the ground or to low branches for a few days until ready to fly. During this time, the adult birds are nearby, feeding and caring for the fledgling and teaching them the skills that they will need as adults. It’s important that the birds are not disturbed during this critical stage in the offspring's development.

Unless the fledgling has been visibly injured, it should be left where it is. The exception to this is if a bird has been caught by a cat. Even if the bird shows no signs of injury, it will require medical attention after being caught by a cat. You can help by making sure your pet dogs and cats cannot interact with birds or other wildlife.

If you find a baby bird with sparse or no feathers, it is likely a nestling that has fallen or been pushed out of a nearby nest. In this scenario, a permitted wildlife rehabilitator can help guide you on next steps. If determined safe and appropriate, they can instruct you on how to safely return the baby bird to its nest, or how to create a makeshift, temporary nest.

If you think that a baby bird has been abandoned, please call a permitted wildlife rehabilitator. These signs could indicate that the baby bird needs help:

1. They are visibly injured.
2. They have been caught by a cat, even if there are no visible wounds.
3. They are near deceased adult bird(s).
4. They are breathing heavily, shivering, and/or their eyes are closed.

Eastern cottontail kit. Photo by Melissa Calderon.

Baby rabbits

If you see a rabbit in Washington, it is likely an eastern cottontail. They are prolific breeders that nest in shallow holes on the ground.

If you find a nest of baby rabbits (called kits), and they are in the nest, leave them alone. Female rabbits only return to their nest at dawn and dusk. It is very unlikely that you will be able to see her, as she will stay as elusive as possible to avoid drawing attention to her offspring.

Eastern cottontails mature very quickly. They are out of the nest by three weeks old, but are still quite small at this age. If the young rabbit’s eyes are open and it is hopping, it is old enough to be out on its own.

Cottontail nests are difficult to detect, even in your own backyard. Look carefully around your yard before you mow or garden. Kits are often accidentally injured or killed by lawnmowers and weed eaters. Try to stay at least 10 feet away from the nest and leave it as undisturbed as possible.

If you think a rabbit kit has been abandoned, please call a permitted wildlife rehabilitator. Some signs that a rabbit may need help are:

1. They are visibly injured.
2. They are near a deceased adult rabbit.
3. They are breathing heavily, shivering, or are out of the nest before their eyes are open.

Harbor seal pup. Photo by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Baby seals

Harbor seals start birthing in Washington in late April or early May. Seals come ashore to rest and nurse their young, often in busy beach areas. In some areas, females may leave their offspring (called pups) on the beach while they feed out at sea. Human disturbances may interfere with important survival behaviors, or cause females to abandon their pups.

If you see a baby seal on shore, keep your distance. Please stay back 100 yards and keep your dogs on a leash. Seals and other marine mammals are protected under federal law. It is illegal to harm or harass them. Harassment includes any activity that interferes with the animal’s natural behaviors. “Share the Shore” and enjoy watching wildlife from a responsible distance.

If you find a seal pup that is obviously ill or injured, immediately give it space and call the West Coast Marine Mammal Stranding Network (1–866–767–6114) for further direction. They will notify a qualified professional partner to assess the situation and connect with a permitted marine mammal rehabilitator, as needed.

Some signs that a harbor seal pup may need help are:

1. They are visibly injured.
2. They are near a deceased adult seal.
3. They are breathing heavily, shivering, or do not pick their heads up.

Other species and reminders

Living in Washington means living with wildlife. In addition to the common species listed above, you may encounter species like raccoons, squirrels, geese, ducks, river otters, opossums, and more. Each wildlife species has its own unique natural history; therefore, it is important to remember to always call a permitted wildlife rehabilitator if you think that a baby wild animal may need help. It is not humane or legal to attempt to care for wildlife yourself.

Great horned owl that was rescued in Washington and delivered to a permitted rehabilitator after becoming stuck in a soccer net. WDFW photo.

About wildlife rehabilitation in Washington

WDFW collaborates with permitted wildlife rehabilitators to take in wild animals that need professional care. While WDFW manages wildlife populations on a broad scale, the Department does not have resources to rehabilitate individual wildlife, and values the services provided by the professionals trained and highly skilled in providing the unique care injured or orphaned wildlife need.

If you contact a permitted wildlife rehabilitator regarding a sick, injured, or orphaned animal, please note that they may be volunteers who are not paid for their services, except by donation. This includes veterinarians holding a wildlife rehabilitation permit.

In addition, permitted wildlife rehabilitators are:

• Generally not able to provide services to pick up wildlife, as they need to be available to help the wildlife currently in their care.
• Not on-call 24 hours a day and may be operating out of facilities at their private property.
• Limited by state and federal permits as to the number and species of animals they may admit to their facility.

If you cannot find a permitted wildlife rehabilitator with the capacity or ability to take in the sick or injured wildlife you found, you may also contact a licensed veterinarian to see if they can help.

Visit our website to learn more about wildlife rehabilitation in Washington, and don’t forget to thank the permitted wildlife rehabilitators in your region for the important work that they do on behalf of our state’s wildlife!

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