It has probably happened to you on more than one occasion. You go for a walk in the countryside and, in the middle of the road, you come across a baby bird or other animal. The first thing we usually think is that this animal is unprotected and needs our help. In fact, many people take the chick home to try and raise it. Although it is a very noble action, it could have bad consequences. Have you ever wondered if it is good to intervene in nature?
As experts recommend, wildlife should not be disturbed. Much less in breeding periods! So if you go out into the country this summer, you should take a series of precautions:
- Do not touch the nests or move them around. If they are okay, leave them where they are.
- Do not take the chicks that have fallen from the nest. Also, do not take any other baby mammals that you find.
- If you go with your dog, keep him on a leash at all times. Prevent it from going off the beaten path and keep it under control.
- Limit your cat’s field trips. They are predators of small animals!
- Moderate your visits to the field and watch where you walk. Remember that you may be disturbing animals that are raising at those times.
- Only use the authorized paths if you are riding a motorcycle or other vehicle.
During the summer, it is quite common to find young without their mother. Although our first impulse is to protect them, we must not intervene in nature. Many animals hide their young or leave them in a tree during the day, so it is quite likely that that chick does not need help.
For this reason, the best thing to do is to leave the animal where it is. In addition, according to experts, it is advisable to know the species of the place you visit. Only then will you understand why they behave in a certain way.
If you already know the species of the field that you usually frequent and you find a baby, check that it is in good condition. If the animal is in good body condition, it has probably not been abandoned. Again, we insist that it is not necessary to intervene.
If the animal has injuries to the body, bad appearance, bleeding, vomiting or tremors, the best thing you can do is contact a veterinarian or a wildlife rehabilitation center. Without a doubt, they will know much better how to rescue and transport abandoned young.
Of course, if you come across a protected species or an animal higher up the food chain, like a wolf or an eagle, you should never intervene. You will have to contact a professional to take care of the animal.
If you cannot contact anyone, and whenever possible, you should put the baby in a box with ventilation holes. You will have to line the box with a shirt or towel so that the animal does not get cold. Also, it is important that you stay in a dark, warm and quiet place. Remember that you should take him to a veterinarian or wildlife specialist as soon as you can.
On the other hand, you should never attempt to rescue a baby that is disoriented, has trouble breathing, or is visibly covered in parasites. In these cases, the best thing you can do is notify the Nature Protection Service (SEPRONA) to investigate whether the animal has a communicable disease.
Although it may seem strange, a baby should not be fed or given water unless directed by a specialist. Each animal has specific nutritional needs, so you could inadvertently cause it harm. Also, if you give the animal water, it may end up getting wet and cold or even drown if it is small and weak. Don’t skip these recommendations!
As we said at the beginning, you should not intervene in nature. However, you can return a baby to its nest if you know where it fell from. You can also replace a destroyed nest with an artificial one if you find several chicks without feathers. To do this, you must place the nest and fix it on a nearby tree.
On the other hand, if you come across a baby squirrel, you would have to put it in a container and leave it near the tree where you found it. From there, the baby will most likely call its mother. If after a few hours the squirrel does not return to its nest, it may need the help of a professional.
