With spring and early summer marking the birthing season for many species, the City of Eden Prairie is urging residents to use caution before intervening when they see young animals in their yards or parks.
While some baby animals may appear to be abandoned, it is often part of their natural development, the city said in a June 17 notice.
For example, baby rabbits may remain in their nests for up to two weeks, with the mother returning only twice a day to feed them. Turtles typically begin laying eggs around June 1 and do not return after doing so; hatchlings survive on their own. It is also common for fawns to be left alone in tall grass or brush while their mothers forage for food nearby.
In most cases, officials say, the best course of action is to leave the animal or nest undisturbed. Human interference can frighten the animal or cause it to abandon the area.
The city often refers residents to the Wildlife Rehabilitation Center of Minnesota in Roseville, whose website offers guidance on when and how to help infant or juvenile animals. The Eden Prairie Police Department does not transport injured or abandoned wildlife, except in the case of birds of prey such as hawks, owls or eagles, which are taken to the University of Minnesota’s Raptor Center.
To report an injured or abandoned animal, residents are encouraged to call 911 or 952-949-6200 to speak with an animal control officer. The Wildlife Rehabilitation Center can also be reached at 651-486-9453.
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