by Christine Cameron

Created on: February 19, 2008

Can Bambi Live Happily In A Fenced In Yard

As you drive home from a weekend of camping with your family, you notice a motionless body blocking the road. As you near, the lifeless lump appears to move slightly, and the cries from your children force your vehicle to the shoulder. You instruct your children to stay in the car while you go to check on the small deer. To the delighted cheers of your children, the fawn does not appear critically injured, but badly in need of food and water.

What to do now?

Simply put, wild animals do not make good pets. A wild animal may very well "adopt" a family or person for a short time, but most likely, will return to the wilderness when it is ready. It is vitally important that you allow this return to happen unhindered by fencing and cages. A wild animal will hurt or possibly kill itself trying to get free.

Wild animals do need our assistance from time to time, but it is important to let those who are trained fulfill these needs. Animal Control personnel, Park Rangers, and even Police Officers in some states are fully trained in first-aid and transporting injured animals to rehabilitation centers.

There are wild animal sanctuaries all over the United States. Staffed with highly trained animal handlers, and often on-site veterinarians, you can be sure that every care will be given to injured wild animals. The main focus of the animal sanctuaries are to rehabilitate the animals for release back into their natural habitat.

Most humans would not walk up to a large animal, even if it were severely injured, to "rescue" it. This is VERY wise, as an injured animal is likely to be extremely frightened and will do whatever it takes to fend off attackers. An adult animal understands that injury often means death in the "jungle", therefore they will inflict as much damage as possible before they succumb. Likewise with young animals, humans should always be aware that a parent animal could be nearby to protect its fallen young.

It is the small animals that are often rescued by well-meaning humans. Many times, the small animal that was found will grow too large for the accommodations made by the adoptive family. Many of these wild animals must live the rest of their lives in animal sanctuaries due to their tameness. While not a terrible life for the animal, there is less space for newly injured animals.

So, what should a person do if you come across an injured (or even "friendly") wild animal? Call local law enforcement and ask for instructions. Remain in your vehicle, or a safe distance from the animal, and wait for assistance. Do not handle or allow children to pet the animal, as many wild animals carry parasites that humans do not regularly come in contact with.

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