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Show Don't Rob Cradle Of Young Wildlife Over the next few weeks deere, elk, moose and many other less conspicuous wildlife species will be bearing young. This is an especially critical time, a time when new wildlife parents and young are stressed, and partlcualry vulnerable to predators. But a cradle robber most animals don't count on is perhaps the most dangerous. And, ironically, the culprit has the best intentions. After all, he's only human. We've all heard the story before: boy finds deer fawn "abandoned" by mother in forest boy takes deer home deer gets tame but longs for freedom boy releases deer back into forest boy cries but deer is happy. It's a nice story, but it Just isn't true. Doe deer, like many other wildlife mothers, often leave their young alone for long periods while they forage for food. The fawns know instinctively to stay put. But if a soft-hearted hiker spots one of the little critters, it's the same old story all over again. And after a week or two as the family pet, few animals can be returned to the wild and survive. The fact is, these animals know a lot more about raising a wildlife family than we do, and we'd best leave them alone. Sure fawns are cute, just like little raccoons, owls and cougar kittens. But they're wild animals, and wild animals belong in the wild, not in somebody's backyard. So the next time you're tempted to befriend a "poor motherless critter," think twice. Chances are mama is not far away, and just waiting for you to clear out before coming home with dinner. |