What to Do If You Find a Baby Animal Alone in Your Florida Yard

Florida's warm climate and diverse ecosystems make it a haven for wildlife. From birds to small mammals, you're likely to encounter baby animals during certain times of the year. While your first instinct might be to rescue a seemingly abandoned baby animal, it’s important to understand that this isn’t always the best course of action. Here’s what you should do if you find a baby animal alone in your yard.

Photo byTom DilsonUnsplash

Understanding Florida's Wildlife Behavior

In Florida, you're likely to encounter a variety of baby animals, especially during the spring and summer months. For example, you might find a baby bird, known as a fledgling, that has left the nest but isn't yet able to fly. Fledglings often spend time on the ground as they develop their flying skills, with their parents still providing care from a distance. The sight of a lone baby bird might be concerning, but in most cases, it’s perfectly normal​.

Similarly, baby rabbits, or kits, are often left alone in their shallow nests during the day. The mother returns only a few times to nurse them, as her absence helps protect the nest from predators. Finding a baby rabbit alone in your yard doesn’t necessarily mean it’s abandoned.

What You Should Do If You Find a Baby Animal

If you come across a baby animal alone in your Florida yard, here’s how to handle the situation:

1. Observe from a Distance: Resist the urge to approach or touch the animal. Instead, observe it from a distance to see if its parents are nearby. Often, the parents are simply out of sight but will return when they feel it’s safe.
2. Keep Pets and Children Away: Ensure that pets and children are kept away from the baby animal to avoid causing it distress or harm. This gives the animal a better chance of being reunited with its parents.
3. Avoid Handling the Animal: Unless the animal is in immediate danger (such as being in the middle of a road), it’s best not to handle it. Human scent can sometimes discourage the parents from returning.
4. Contact a Wildlife Rehabilitator: If you’re certain the animal is injured or orphaned, contact a local wildlife rehabilitator or the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission for advice. They can guide you on the next steps and whether the animal needs professional care.

The Importance of Letting Nature Take Its Course

In many cases, the best thing you can do is to let nature take its course. While it’s natural to want to help, interfering with wildlife can sometimes do more harm than good. Florida’s wildlife is adapted to survive in the wild, and their parents are usually better equipped to care for them than humans are.

By observing these guidelines, you can help ensure that baby animals in your Florida yard have the best chance of growing up healthy and strong.

Sources:

• South Florida Wildlife Center: Provides guidance on what to do if you find a wild animal, emphasizing when to leave an animal alone and steps to take if the animal is injured or orphaned. They also offer a 24/7 drop-off for injured wildlife.
  • South Florida Wildlife Center​ (South Florida Wildlife Center)
• St. Petersburg Audubon Society: Offers advice on how to help injured wildlife and what to do if you find a baby bird or other small animals, stressing the importance of contacting local wildlife rehabilitators.
  • St. Petersburg Audubon Society​ (St. Petersburg Audubon Society)
• Florida Bluebird Society: Focuses on what to do if you find a baby bird, advising that it is often best to leave the bird alone unless it is clearly injured or in immediate danger.
  • Florida Bluebird Society​ (Florida Bluebird Society)
• SPCA Tampa Bay: Provides specific guidance on finding baby rabbits and other small mammals, noting that mother rabbits often leave their young alone for extended periods and advising against intervening unless necessary.
  • SPCA Tampa Bay​ (SPCA Tampa Bay)
• U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service: Offers detailed information on what to do if you find a baby bird or other injured wildlife, with an emphasis on finding a licensed wildlife rehabilitator if necessary.
  • U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service​ (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service)