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 During the breeding season, well-meaning people may believe they
are helping by taking possession of young wildlife such as young
rabbits, fawn deer, baby birds and other animals that may appear
to have been orphaned or abandoned. In nearly all cases, the
birds and animals are still being fed and cared for by their
parents, which likely stay away from nests or dens if people are
present.
The Illinois Wildlife Code provides legal protection for
wildlife. It is against the law to keep wild animals as pets, or
to raise wild animals believed to have been abandoned.
Additionally, agency responses to incidents involving wildlife
can be costly to taxpayers. For example, in response to
community concern about a young wild deer in McLean Co. this
spring, IDNR and USDA Wildlife Services’ personnel and other
costs totaled nearly $7,000 to investigate the matter, and to
capture and relocate the deer to a licensed wildlife
rehabilitator.
Anyone with questions about care for possibly abandoned wildlife
can contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator. To learn more
about potential wildlife conflicts, and keeping people, pets and
wildlife safe, visit the Living with Wildlife in Illinois
website at
http://web.extension. illinois.edu/wildlife/
All wild birds, except the Rock Pigeon, European Starling, and
House Sparrow, are protected by federal law. This includes
protection of eggs, nests, and feathers. The IDNR works with the
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to protect and manage birds in
Illinois.
Some additional reminders about wildlife in Illinois:
Birds often leave the nest before they can fly. These birds,
known as fledglings, will live on the ground for a few days
while they grow flight feathers, and you may hear them making
noises calling for their parents. They do this so their parents
will continue to feed them, and it doesn’t mean they are in
trouble. Keep children and pets away.
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Do not attempt to rescue fawns.
Fawns stay very still to conceal themselves until they are old
enough to keep up with their mother. The mother will not stand near
the fawns for fear of alerting predators to their presence. Leave
fawns alone and the mother will return once you leave the area.
It is illegal to feed wild deer. When deer congregate, it can
facilitate the spread of disease and cause other unintended
consequences.
Wild birds and animals can become habituated to people when they are
provided food. Do not leave pet food outside at night, clean up
under bird feeders, secure the lids on garbage cans to keep raccoons
and other wildlife out, and don’t feed Canada geese in
urban/suburban areas. Nuisance animals can become dangerous to
people.
Handling wild animals can result in the handler being bitten.
According to the Centers for Disease Control, wild animals that bite
a person must be euthanized immediately to be tested for rabies.
The IDNR urges everyone to enjoy wildlife by observing, but not
interfering, and by leaving wildlife in the wild.
[ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL
RESOURCES]
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