Wild animals rarely require human help. Attempts to approach or handle wildlife can actually cause serious injury or harm to you or the animal. In certain situations, a wild animal may benefit from human intervention, such as a displaced or seriously injured animal.
First, if you find a young wild animal - Do NOT assume it is orphaned. This can result in accidently “kidnapping” them from their parent. Wild parents rarely abandon their young but may leave them alone, for sometimes long periods of time, to find food. If a wild baby is not crying, found near a dead parent, or brought to you by a cat or dog – and appears healthy - “Leave them there, if you care”!
Next, determine if the wild animal has visible signs of distress such as injury (e.g., open wound, broken bone) or poor body condition (e.g., thin, weak). If the animal is clearly in distress:
If the wild animal is NOT in distress, do not approach or touch it. Keep a safe distance. Enjoy the sighting!
Report suspected wildlife violations to CDFW at (888) 334-2258 or text "CALTIP" and a brief message to 847411 (tip411).
In the event of an emergency, call 9-1-1
If you find a baby bird, do NOT assume it requires human help. First, determine if it is a fledgling or nestling bird. A fledgling is a young bird (‘teenager’) that is nearly fully feathered, just learning to fly, and able to perch and hop around.
- If you find a fledgling on the ground near bushes or trees – and it appears healthy - “Leave them there, if you care”!
- If you find a fledgling on a footpath or other high-use area (e.g., dog park) – and it appears healthy - place it in a safe area near bushes or trees.
- You may observe the fledgling from a safe distance throughout the day to see if the parents are observed nearby.
A nestling is a baby bird (‘newborn’) that is naked, has fuzzy down, or a few small pin feathers. It fully relies on its parents for food, warmth, and survival.
- If you find a fallen nest WITH nestlings, you can try to return the nest to an area near the original nest site. Parent birds will attempt to readily find the nest and continue providing care for their nestlings.
- If you find a single nestling that’s fallen from its nest -and it appears healthy – you can try to return the nestling to its original nest.
- You may observe a nest from a safe distance throughout the day to see if the parents are observed to return and provide care to the nestling(s).
If unable to return a nestling to its nest or observe a nestling or fledgling with visible signs of distress (e.g., obvious injury, close contact with dog or cat) - Contact a permitted wildlife rehabilitation facility or CDFW Regional Office.
NOTE: California has many native species of ground nesting birds (e.g., quail, killdeer, terns). Do not remove or disturb ground nests. If unsure if you’ve found a fallen versus ground nest, contact a local wildlife rehabilitation facility or CDFW Regional Office.
California is home to 6 subspecies of mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus species). Every year, there are deer fawns taken from their mothers (“kidnapped”) by well-meaning people thinking they are orphans.
If you find a fawn, do NOT assume it requires human help. For its first weeks of life, a fawn will stay hidden in tall grass or vegetation hide while the mother goes off to feed nearby. The mother will return to nurse the fawn many times throughout the day but may not return until people leave the immediate area.
If you find a fawn and it appears healthy - “Leave it there, if you care”!
- Stay a safe distance from the animal.
- Keep children and pets away.
If you find a fawn - it appears healthy - and you have already handled or moved it:
- Return the fawn to its original hiding spot.
- A doe will NOT abandon her fawn merely because it has been touched by a person.
If you find a fawn with obvious injury (e.g., bleeding, broken bone), poor body condition (e.g., thin, weak), or other visible signs of distress (e.g., wandering alone, bleating):
If you find a baby rabbit, do NOT assume it requires human help. California is home to native species of rabbits and hares. Both have key differences in their level of parental care.
Baby rabbits (e.g., cottontails) are born blind, helpless, and stay hidden in shallow ground nests. They fully rely on their mother for food, warmth, and survival their first 2 weeks.
- If you find a baby rabbit that does not have eyes open, but otherwise appears healthy – You may try to locate the nest and return it to the nest.
- Do not intentionally disturb ground or vegetation within 10 feet of the nest.
- Keep children and pets away.
If you find a juvenile or baby rabbit with visible signs of distress such as injury (e.g., open wound, broken bone) or poor body condition (e.g., thin, weak):
Baby hares (e.g., snowshoe hare, jackrabbit) – unlike baby rabbits – are born with their eyes open, fully furred, and only rely on their mother the first 2-3 days.
If you find a juvenile rabbit that is fully furred with eyes open, or a juvenile or baby hare – and it appears healthy - “Leave it there, if you care”!
If you find a baby squirrel, do NOT assume it requires human help. California is home to several native species of tree and ground squirrels. There are several key differences in their life history and behavior. All baby squirrels are born with their eyes closed and fully rely on their mother for food, warmth, and survival.
Ground squirrels often live in colonies and use underground dens to nest and care for their young. Baby ground squirrels are rarely, if ever, seen above ground. Tree squirrels are less social, do not live in colonies, and build nests located high in trees.
- If you find a baby ground squirrel that does not have eyes open - and it appears healthy – You may try to locate the ground burrow and return it to the burrow.
- If you find a baby tree squirrel on the ground - and it appears healthy - You may try to locate the tree nest and return it to the nest, or a branch nearest the nest.
- Mother squirrels will readily try to reunite with their babies.
If you find a juvenile or baby squirrel with visible signs of distress such as injury (e.g., open wound, broken bone) or poor body condition (e.g., thin, weak):
If you find a juvenile tree or ground squirrel – and it appears healthy - - “Leave it there, if you care”!
California is home to more than 25 native species of bat. There are several key differences in their life history and behavior across species. However, all bats in California are nocturnal or crepuscular (i.e., active at dawn or dusk). They are rarely, if ever, active during the day.
If you find a live or dead bat – DO NOT handle it with your bare hands.
If you find a bat indoors with visible signs of distress such as injury (e.g., open wound, broken bone) or poor body condition:
If you find a bat indoors – it appears healthy – and able to fly:
- Turn off the lights.
- Keep children and pets away.
- Leave the nearest door or window open to allow it to leave on its own.
If you find a bat indoors – it appears healthy – but cannot find its own way back outside:
- Wait until the bat stops flying around.
- Wear gloves and use a towel to gently place it in a covered container with proper ventilation.
- Place the container in an elevated location outdoors.
- Open the container to release the bat during dusk or night.
If you observe a bat outdoors – with visible signs of distress (e.g., injury, poor body condition) - and unable to fly:
If you find a bat outdoors that appears healthy - and able to fly - “Leave it there, if you care”!
California is home to many diverse wildlife that can be found along its 840 miles of coastline. These native species range from marine animals such as sea otters, sea turtles, seals, and dolphins, to seabirds such as pelicans and gulls. These wild animals face various unique threats that can include oil spills, entanglements, and strandings.