Are You Really a Friend of Wildlife?

by John Warren Illinois Department of Conservation

Spring and summer seasons bring a closer relationship between people and animals. People are in the out-of-doors; they're working, playing closer to nature. Animals, also, feel the languor that warmer temperatures bring and, coupled with a natural curiosity, they seem to enjoy a closeness to human beings. Many of them, especially the young, are natural hams.

It is also the breeding season among the wild creatures . . . and for several months the trees, grasses and natural habitat are host to fledgling, pup and kit of field, forest and meadow.

Too often suburbia's outdoors is limited to your backyard, and your local park. Many litters of young rabbits, squirrels, raccoons come into this world not more than 100 feet from man's doorstep, and many of the creatures spend entire wildlife lifetimes in this close proximity to civilization.

The great attraction of living among the trees, and landscaping with shrubs and bushes is man's latent but strong instinct for wilderness, for nature in magnificent grandeur. The rush to the suburbs for living quarters, the popularity of parks which offer green forested hills, are but two examples of man's desire to recreate at the end of the day, or the end of the week—to return to the nature from which he sprang and into which he is inherently ingrained.

As he walks daily among the wild creatures that live close at hand, man's relationship with nature is ingratiating, satisfying. He does not know why... he doesn't need to know why. Even the animals, the birds, seem to appreciate this distant closeness. It is when this "distant closeness" becomes an encroaching "togetherness" that we have trouble.

Often, particularly in the spring, baby birds are brought into the house by children who feel sorry for them, by folks who believe they've been "abandoned" and must have human care. Often baby rabbits, young squirrels, other wildlife are taken in, to be nursed, fed, cuddled, "loved" by humans.

This is not only dangerous to the people who befriend the animals, it is pitifully tragic for the animals themselves. They are creatures of nature and must live in and under nature's laws. To attempt to domesticate young rabbits, squirrels, raccoons or birds is simply to give them a one-way ticket to premature death, unless one is licensed, equipped and prepared to shelter and care for these animals in an un-natural environment for their lifetimes.

The danger of rabies and other diseases, plus the hazards associated with a growing animal's instinctive tendencies to bite or scratch in play or self defense, are enough argument against picking up strays or strangers in the animal world.

Besides this, kindness to animals dictates that they be left alone. Most often, an animal or bird baby found seemingly helpless is not as helpless as it seems—the adult is nearby, probably frightened off by this intrusion of humans. If left alone, the adult will return to care for its young as nature dictates.

If you can't give an animal a good home and care for him first class during his entire lifetime, do not attempt to take him, or adopt him. This principal should save some animals from certain suffering and/or privation. No animal love or kindness is involved in having a pet dog which must remain tied day after day or enclosed in a tiny fenced-in yard. To possess a pet under these condition is cruelty—not kindness—to animals.

Taking the young in and befriending them is too often not only an act of ignorance, but actually an act of unkindness. An exception could be where it is obvious that a wing is broken, or that an injury is crippling the animal. In these cases, temporary care may be called for, with release back to nature as soon as practical.

It is to safeguard both animals and humans that the state game code reads: "It is unlawful to take and possess . . ." Most people who do this springtime "befriending" usually don't realize they're going against the law.

It is much better to live with, enjoy, observe and meditate on the animals and birds in a garden, in a park, in a preserve—out in nature where they belong and live. Wildlife, like human life, is more beautiful if free.

Illinois Parks and Recreation 28 May/June, 1975