A fawn. ( ID 9687338 © Steve Byland | Dreamstime.com)

By Kenneth Cheung

LOOK, DON'T TOUCH

Too cute to help? Conservation officers say leave baby wildlife alone

May 21, 2025 | 5:00 PM

That baby deer lying quietly in the grass might seem lost, but according to Saskatchewan conservation officers, it’s right where it’s supposed to be—and no, they don’t need a ride.

As warmer weather draws more people outdoors, the Ministry of Corrections, Policing and Public Safety issued a public service announcement Tuesday to remind people not to interfere with young wild animals—even if they appear to be abandoned.

“They aren’t alone. They aren’t abandoned and they aren’t lost,” said Conservation Officer Ted Glass. “They’ve been placed there by their mother to be exactly where they are, and the mother knows where they are. They’re safe and the mother will be back.”

Each spring and fall, he said the province receives dozens of calls from concerned residents who spot baby animals lying alone.

“Right now we have a number of deer and antelope and they’re birthing their young of the year,” said Glass. “We’ll get two to three dozen calls every year that there’s a baby deer, a fawn or a baby antelope that has been left and it’s certainly not the case.”

ER closure

Emergency room closure at Porcupine Carragana Hospital

1h ago

More information

Tisdale RCMP provide timeline on swastika vandalism

1h ago

FRAUD

Scam posing as Red Cross targets Sask. wildfire evacuees: FCAA

2h ago

(ID 133392602 © Pravin Chakravarty | Dreamstime.com)

He said most mothers leave their young hidden while they forage or rest, often instructing them—through instinct—not to move.

“In fact, the babies are often camouflaged to hide in that area and to stay very safe,” Glass explained. “When the mother returns, the mother will return and feed the baby and again will stay and spend some time there… but then they’ll leave again.”

He noted this behaviour isn’t limited to large mammals.

“Right now this last week I’ve been dealing with baby owls that have come out of the nest,” Glass said. “Folks are very concerned about baby owls.”

Touching or approaching wild animals, even with good intentions, can cause harm. He said it may stress the animal, provoke a defensive response from a nearby mother, or expose people and pets to serious illnesses.

“These animals could have diseases that can affect your pets, and even infect you,” Glass said. “You want to be sure to protect yourself and protect your pets by leaving the animal alone.”

Rabies and West Nile virus are among the diseases that can be transmitted from wild animals to humans or domestic pets.

(Government of Saskatchewan)

When asked if there is any recent example, he shared that “there’s a handful of cases that I can think of when a person attempts to take a baby bird that the mother bird will attack.”

Glass also emphasized the legal consequences under Saskatchewan’s Wildlife Act.

“It is against the Wildlife Act to possess wildlife. It’s also against the Wildlife Act to harass wildlife,” he said. “There’s a number of fines and penalties, but the bigger consequence is you’ve upset the balance of nature.”

He encouraged people to observe but not touch young animals. If there are signs of injury, distress, or a dead adult nearby, residents should call the Turn in Poachers and Polluters (TIPP) line at 1-800-667-7561.

“This is the time of year that there’s a lot of young animals,” said Glass. “We want to keep wildlife wild and we want people to take good care of their pets and let nature take care of the wildlife.”

—

Kenneth.Cheung@pattisonmedia.com