05/22/2025
Remember. . .
When you are out enjoying the beauty of the spring...
How can you help baby wildlife this spring? Leave them alone
Baby wildlife make springtime in Michigan feel like a fairy tale, but the best way to be a friend to wild animals is to keep them wild. That means leaving them outdoors where they have the best chance for survival.
According to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, wildlife are well-adapted to live in the wild, and baby animals will be at much greater risk of dying if removed from their natural habitats.
"Many wild animals hide their young for safety. These babies are not abandoned; they have been hidden by their mother until she returns," said DNR Wildlife communications representative Rachel Lincoln. "So, if you find a baby animal, leave it be."
Only licensed wildlife rehabilitators may possess abandoned or injured wildlife. Unless a person is properly licensed, it is illegal to possess a live, wild animal in Michigan.
Here's a look at what you can expect to see outdoors as young animals get acclimated to their world.
May 21, 2025
Contact: DNR, Caitie O'Neill, 989-459-8918