April 10, 2025 The Beacon • 31

As young animals appear in backyards, local parks and unexpected areas, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Wildlife is reminding Ohioans to keep wildlife wild this spring. Watching wildlife from afar and reducing interactions gives young animals the best chance of survival.

Wildlife parents are devoted to their young and rarely abandon them. Usually, young wildlife observed alone are not orphaned or abandoned, but are waiting for a parent to return. Watch these young animals from a distance and avoid intervening without guidance from a wildlife professional. Most wildlife taken in by people other than trained and licensed wildlife rehabilitators do not survive despite the good intentions of their rescuers.

Many wildlife species are raised by one parent and are often left alone for extended

COSHOCTON

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omy, fossils, aeronautics, biology, chemistry, entomology, crime scene investigations and more. Junior high students Cameille Leist and Tobin Grimm won medals for Write it, Do it.

This year teams also participated in Power of the Pen. Six eighthgraders participated in the district tournaments in Pataskala, and students Scarlet Clendenen and Aubree Bantum went on

It’ s best to observe young animals from a distance this spring.

periods. For example, a whitetailed deer doe hides her young from predators by leaving them alone in a secluded spot such as a grassy meadow or a flower bed. A hidden fawn has virtually no scent and is difficult for predators to find when left alone. The

to the regional tournament at Ohio University in Lancaster, where they both received honors. The members of the Power of the Pen team were Harmony Fisher, Zoey Johnson, Scarlet Clendenen and Aubree Bantum.

Several junior high students participated in the God, Flag and Country Speech Competition. They were Ella Lawson, Ariana Baumgardner, Cloey Johnson and several students from fourth grade through sixth grade at Coshocton Elementary School.

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doe is usually nearby and will tend to the fawn periodically. It is common to find fawns hidden in backyards. If you do find a fawn in your yard, keep pets away, minimize disturbances to the area and wait for the mother to return.

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Many people encounter baby birds that have fallen from their nests. Contrary to popular belief, human scent will not prevent parents from returning to care for their young. Return a baby bird to its nest and walk away so the parents can feed it without fear of humans. If a natural nest can’ t be located, parents will often care for baby birds placed nearby in a makeshift nest.

Young birds with feathers observed flapping on the ground have likely left the nest on their own and are learning to fly. Keep pets away and give these fledglings the space to learn to fly.

It is usually a treat to observe a young animal, but that privilege becomes a responsibility if the animal has been orphaned, abandoned or injured. If you see open wounds or other injuries or you know a young

wild animal has lost its parent, research solutions before taking action. Specific guidance on how to best help commonly encountered wildlife species is available on the Orphaned and Injured Wildlife page at www. wildohio. gov.

State and federal laws protect and regulate wildlife in Ohio, and only trained and licensed wildlife rehabilitators, with permits issued by the Division of Wildlife, may possess and care for native wildlife. These laws are in place for the benefit of humans and wild animals.

Contact a local wildlife official before acting. Call 800-945- 3543 or visit www. wildohio. gov to find a licensed wildlife rehabilitator in your area and to learn more about species-specific guidance. Human intervention is always a wild animal’ s last hope for survival, never its best hope.

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