Even though they have the best of intentions, Islanders are reminded that they should not try to ”rescue” what looks like orphaned wildlife.
Randy Dibblee, a biologist with the Department of Environment, Energy and Forestry, said provincial wildlife officials have received numerous calls in recent weeks from people concerned about young birds or animals that appear to be on their own. However, a young animal on its own does not necessarily mean that it has been abandoned.
“Many species will leave their young unattended, often for several hours or more, while they forage for food,” Mr. Dibblee said. “In most cases, the adults are nearby and quite aware of their young, so handling or removing them from their natural environment exposes them to unnecessary stress.”
Mr. Dibblee noted that this would also violate PEI’s Wildlife Policy which prohibits keeping native wildlife in captivity. He urged Islanders who encounter young birds and mammals to simply leave them alone.
There are instances where young animals are orphaned through accidental death or natural predation, but each year, far more young are produced than is necessary to maintain the population of each wildlife species. This high birth rate is balanced by an equally high mortality rate. Predation and even accidents are natural and necessary processes to ensure the long-term health of wildlife populations.
Mr. Dibblee cautioned that people who pick up fledgling birds and young mammals may be risking their own health. Handling wild animals increases the risk of exposure to bites and pathogens such as parasites, bacteria and viral organisms.
For more information on wildlife in Prince Edward Island, please contact the Department of Environment, Energy and Forestry at (902) 368-4683.