May 2023 - 12
INSPIRE A KID
Baby animals
need their space
Baby wildlife may be cute, but they need
space from human interaction to grow into
adulthood.
While recreating, humans stumble across
young or baby wildlife that appears to be
abandoned by their mothers. Often, these
encounters cause humans to take the animal
from their location to save them. However,
these tiny critters do not need saving at all.
The most common wildlife species taken in by
humans are young deer, rabbits and fledgling
or learning-to-fly birds. Humans are more
likely to encounter baby animals in spring
and summer. This is because animals tend to
mate in the fall and give birth in the spring.
Warmer weather, abundant foliage and greater
food availability increase the babies' chances
of survival.
While hunting or grazing for food, mothers
in the wild willingly leave their young tucked
or hidden away, trusting their survival instincts
and adaptations will keep them alive until she
returns. For example, young deer called fawns
have the unique coloration of white spots on
their back to blend into their surroundings,
like shadows beneath trees or in tall grasses.
As fawns lie almost completely still and alone
for hours at a time, they rely on their lack of
scent to stay clear of hungry predators in the
area. A fawn's natural camouflage and limited
scent make it easier for its mother to leave
them alone than attempt to bring them along
while searching for food. As a result, young
deer are more likely to stay alive when they
are alone than while following their mother
around the area.
When humans intervene with young wildlife
they disrupt the care a mother provides
A
What is my name?
B
their young. For example, when a human
brings an " abandoned " fawn to a wildlife
rehabilitation center, that animal is removed
from its safe, familiar environment and mother.
Suppose the fawn becomes comfortable with
human interaction at a young age while living
in the rehabilitation center. In that case, it
will never return to the wild where they truly
belong because their natural survival tendencies
are compromised.
The next time you are recreating outdoors,
consider what impacts your interaction with
a baby animal might have on its future. It's
better to observe from afar and let their birth
mother and natural abilities keep them safe.
Guess the names of the baby wildlife below. Ex: calf, chick, fawn, etc.
C
D
I am a baby white-tailed deer. I am a baby mallard duck.
(Adobe Stock Photos)
12 | May 2023
I am a baby mountain lion.
I am a baby bald eagle.
Answers: A. Fawn, B. Duckling, C. Cub, D. Eaglet
https://wgfd.wyo.gov/Get-Involved/Inspire-a-Kid
May 2023
Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of May 2023
May 2023 - 1
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https://www.nxtbook.com/wyominggame/WyomingWildlife/october-2024
https://www.nxtbook.com/wyominggame/WyomingWildlife/september-2024
https://www.nxtbook.com/wyominggame/WyomingWildlife/august-2024
https://www.nxtbook.com/wyominggame/WyomingWildlife/july-2024
https://www.nxtbook.com/wyominggame/WyomingWildlife/june-2024
https://www.nxtbook.com/wyominggame/WyomingWildlife/wyoming-wildlife-may-2024
https://www.nxtbook.com/wyominggame/WyomingWildlife/april-2024-e-edition
https://www.nxtbook.com/wyominggame/WyomingWildlife/march-2024
https://www.nxtbook.com/wyominggame/WyomingWildlife/february-2024
https://www.nxtbook.com/wyominggame/WyomingWildlife/january-2024
https://www.nxtbook.com/wyominggame/WyomingWildlife/december-2023
https://www.nxtbook.com/wyominggame/WyomingWildlife/october-2023
https://www.nxtbook.com/wyominggame/WyomingWildlife/september-2023
https://www.nxtbook.com/wyominggame/WyomingWildlife/august-2023
https://www.nxtbook.com/wyominggame/WyomingWildlife/july-2023
https://www.nxtbook.com/wyominggame/WyomingWildlife/june-2023
https://www.nxtbook.com/wyominggame/WyomingWildlife/may-2023
https://www.nxtbook.com/wyominggame/WyomingWildlife/april-2023
https://www.nxtbook.com/wyominggame/WyomingWildlife/march-2023
https://www.nxtbook.com/wyominggame/WyomingWildlife/february-2023
https://www.nxtbook.com/wyominggame/WyomingWildlife/january-2023
https://www.nxtbook.com/wyominggame/WyomingWildlife/december-2022
https://www.nxtbook.com/wyominggame/WyomingWildlife/october-2022
https://www.nxtbook.com/wyominggame/WyomingWildlife/september-2022
https://www.nxtbook.com/wyominggame/WyomingWildlife/august-2022
https://www.nxtbook.com/wyominggame/WyomingWildlife/july-2022
https://www.nxtbook.com/wyominggame/WyomingWildlife/june-2022
https://www.nxtbook.com/wyominggame/WyomingWildlife/may-iak-special-issue
https://www.nxtbook.com/wyominggame/WyomingWildlife/april-2022
https://www.nxtbook.com/wyominggame/WyomingWildlife/march-2022
https://www.nxtbook.com/wyominggame/WyomingWildlife/february-2022
https://www.nxtbook.com/wyominggame/WyomingWildlife/january-2022
https://www.nxtbook.com/wyominggame/WyomingWildlife/dec-2021
https://www.nxtbook.com/wyominggame/WyomingWildlife/october-2021
https://www.nxtbook.com/wyominggame/WyomingWildlife/september-2021
https://www.nxtbook.com/wyominggame/WyomingWildlife/august-2021
https://www.nxtbook.com/wyominggame/WyomingWildlife/july-2021
https://www.nxtbook.com/wyominggame/WyomingWildlife/june-2021
https://www.nxtbook.com/wyominggame/WyomingWildlife/may-2021
https://www.nxtbook.com/wyominggame/WyomingWildlife/april-2021
https://www.nxtbook.com/wyominggame/WyomingWildlife/march-2021
https://www.nxtbook.com/wyominggame/WyomingWildlife/february-2021
https://www.nxtbook.com/wyominggame/WyomingWildlife/January2021
https://www.nxtbook.com/wyominggame/WyomingWildlife/December2020
https://www.nxtbook.com/wyominggame/WyomingWildlife/September2020
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