Assessing whether or not an animal has been orphaned or injured can be difficult. Before interacting with wildlife, make sure it needs rescuing. Learn more »
If an animal does not run away when you approach it or is obviously injured or in an area of danger, then action is needed. Remember that even the most experienced rehabilitators are poor surrogate caregivers compared to life in the wild. For your safety and the sake of the injured animal, if the mother or a sibling is there to help, then let nature take its course.
In most cases, infant wildlife should be left alone. Making contact with wildlife transfers a human scent to the infant, making it more easily detected by predators.
Most adult animals must leave their young unattended to search for food. The young are often left alone or with their siblings for long periods of time, but remain under the watchful eye of their parents.