Newsletter for the Grand Mesa Byway
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the articles of interest submitted by our Members and Partners in
the Grand Mesa Scenic and Historic Byway Project. These
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- INTERESTING and RELAXING". So be sure to come back and read
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from one of our premier chiefs on cooking at 10,000 feet just to
name a few of the upcoming articles.
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The Grand Mesa!!!!!!
Summer 2011 Newsletter
6/8/2011
Division of Wildlife
Don't Pick Up Young Wildlife
LAMAR, Colo. - As spring turns to summer, young
wildlife will be making their first tentative forays into the open,
often near people. The Colorado Division of Wildlife reminds the
public that the well-intentioned impulse to save animals that appear
orphaned or abandoned can often lead to unintended consequences,
including the death of the young animal.
"A human baby needs constant attention, but this is not the case
with wildlife," said Lamar Area Wildlife Manager Travis Black. "In
fact, female animals often leave their offspring alone for long
periods of time. A person that decides to intervene is often the
worst thing that can happen."
Black said that a number of concerned citizens have brought newborn
raccoons, birds, pronghorn and other animals to Division offices
recently because they thought the parents abandoned them.
Black suggests the best thing to do is leave the animal where it is
and report its location to the Division of Wildlife. "Our trained
personnel or volunteers will respond and make the determination
about what is best for the animal," he said. "In most cases, the
animal will be better off if we leave it where it is."
Deer and pronghorn fawns are naturally camouflaged, do not emit
odors that attract predators and can lie very still for a long time.
As a result, they are actually safer if their mothers leave them
alone for a few hours and return to feed them later. Even a curious
person watching the fawn from a distance could alert predators to
the animal's presence or deter its mother from returning.
In the rare case when a wild animal does need human intervention,
orphaned animals are taken to licensed wildlife rehabilitators, who
are trained to use methods that will give a wild animal the best
chance of surviving upon release.
However, even rehabilitation has risks. Only a small number of
animals brought to rehab centers are able to return to a full life
in the wild. Hand-fed animals often lose their fear of humans or
fail to develop survival skills. In many cases, it is better for
young animals to fend for themselves in their natural habitat.
"Every case is different, so it's best to let trained wildlife staff
and volunteers respond and make a determination," Black said. "Once
a human intervenes, the choices for the animal's future become more
limited."
But what's good for a fawn is not necessarily good for a young
robin. This is also the time of year when people may see young birds
that have accidently fallen out of their nests or are struggling to
fly, making them easy prey for predators like domestic cats. Black
said that with birds, the right kind of intervention can be helpful.
He recommends people make an effort to return the fledgling to its
nest or a nearby branch if it can be done safely.
Migratory birds, including songbirds, are protected under federal
law. Possession of a bird, its nest or eggs without a permit is
illegal. It is illegal to attempt to rehabilitate injured or
orphaned wildlife without proper state and federal permits.
Despite the fact that wildlife is usually best left alone, there are
some instances in which people find injured or orphaned wildlife
that needs help. Contact the Division of Wildlife if you are aware
of wildlife that needs to be cared for by a licensed wildlife
rehabilitator.
For more information on living with wildlife and laws concerning
exotic pets, please see:
http://wildlife.state.co.us/WildlifeSpecies/LivingWithWildlife/DontDomesticate.htm
http://wildlife.state.co.us/WildlifeSpecies/LivingWithWildlife/Pets/ExoticPets.htm
http://wildlife.state.co.us/WildlifeSpecies/LivingWithWildlife/Pets/ExoticPets2.htm
Archived articles and newsletters click on the link below:
Winter 2011
Mesa Nordic Skiing is Grand