PHOENIX — Rising temperatures and longer days mean spring is here and newborn wildlife are likely exploring the world around them.

The Arizona Game & Fish Department understands the public’s desire to help seemingly “abandoned” animals such as baby birds and bunnies. However, the agency reminds people to refuse the urge to “rescue” wildlife and to please leave baby wildlife alone.

While their intentions are good, in reality they’re taking a newborn or juvenile animal from its parents, which likely parked the baby in one location while they foraged for food and water for long periods of time.

“Picking up or ‘rescuing’ baby wildlife is often unnecessary and can have negative consequences,” said Stacey Sekscienski, AZGFD Wildlife Education program manager. “The mother is often left searching for her young, and baby wildlife raised by humans is less likely to survive if released back into the wild.”

Some species of baby animals, like elk calves or deer fawns, may even have to be euthanized because they cannot be released back into the wild due to disease concerns. In addition, zoos and other wildlife sanctuaries have limited space to hold them.

Each year wildlife centers around the state are inundated with baby birds, rabbits and other wildlife that were unnecessarily taken from the wild.

The public should contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator or their nearest AZGFD office if they encounter an animal that is clearly sick or injured with wounds or broken bones; is unresponsive or lethargic; has been attacked by a cat or dog; or there is strong evidence that the mother is dead.

Typically, once the perceived predator (you, or your cat or dog) leaves the area, one or both parents will return and continue to care for the young. Human scent will not prevent the parents from returning to care for their young.

Baby birds are the most common wildlife species encountered by the public and removed from the wild. Young birds that have fallen from the nest can be placed back in the nest or as close as possible, preferably in an artificial nest. Those birds that are partially flighted should be left alone or in some cases moved nearby out of harm’s way.

“It’s reassuring to know our Arizona community is passionate about caring for wild animals, but most often, the best thing anyone can do is just to leave baby wildlife alone,” Ms. Sekscienski said.

Those with questions about a specific situation should contact one of the wildlife rehabilitators listed on the department’s website at: www.azgfd.gov/urbanwildlife or contact their local Game & Fish office.

Editor’s Note: Information from the Arizona Game & Fish Department.