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 Wildlife biologists are often contacted during the breeding
season by well-meaning people who believe incorrectly that they
may be protecting young wildlife by taking possession of baby
birds, rabbits, fawn deer, and other animals that may appear to
have been abandoned or orphaned. In most cases, these animals
and birds are still being cared for by their parents, which
likely stay away from dens and nests if people are nearby.
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, responses by agencies like the IDNR to incidents
involving wildlife can be costly to taxpayers.
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 new Wildlife Illinois website at
https://www.wildlifeillinois.org/
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; you may hear them making noises
calling for their parents to feed them; it doesn’t mean they are
in trouble. Keep children and pets away.
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• Do not attempt to rescue fawns. Fawn deer often
stay still to conceal themselves until they are old enough to keep
up with their mother; the female deer may not stay near the fawns
for fear of alerting predators to their presence. People should
leave fawns alone and the mother will return.
• It is illegal in Illinois 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, so don’t 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 and
coyotes 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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