Leave Them Be—It’s Baby Season!

Spring is here, and with it comes an explosion of baby wildlife—tiny bunnies, fledgling birds, curious fawns, and more. While it’s tempting to “rescue” them when spotted alone, most of the time, they’re not actually abandoned.

Here’s what to know:

🦌 Fawns are often left alone for hours while their mothers forage. As long as the fawn isn’t injured or in danger, it’s best to leave it where it is.

🐦 Young birds learning to fly might spend time on the ground. Their parents are usually nearby, still feeding and protecting them.

🐰 Baby rabbits are often tucked in shallow nests and may look helpless—but mom visits only a few times a day to avoid attracting predators.

Unless a wild baby is visibly injured, cold, or in obvious distress (or you know the parent is deceased), the best thing you can do is keep your distance and let nature take its course.

📱 When in doubt, contact a licensed wildlife rehabber for advice before intervening:

Back to the Wild

(419) 684-9539Ohio Wildlife Center

(614) 793-9453

Or visit wildlife.ohiodnr.gov for a full list of licensed Ohio rehabbers by county.

Let’s be good neighbors to our wild friends this spring—sometimes the best help is no help at all. 🌿