During the summer months, it’s not unusual for people to come in contact with seemingly “orphaned” young wildlife and want to help—but it is best to leave them where you find them.
When you take wildlife into your home, you often take away that animal’s ability to then survive in the wild and where they belong according to John Bowers, Wildlife Resources Division chief of the Game Management Section.
Situations become much more complex, and sometimes pose a danger to the wildlife or people, when an animal is moved or taken into a home.
Even if an animal is injured, persons not licensed and trained in wildlife rehabilitation should not attempt to care for wildlife. In fact, Georgia law prohibits the possession of most wildlife without a permit. If you encounter a seriously injured animal or an animal that clearly has been orphaned, the DNR advises contacting a local, licensed wildlife rehabilitator. A list of licensed rehabilitators is available at www.gadnrle.org (select “Special Permits” from the right hand side of the home page and scroll down to “Wildlife Rehabilitation”).