Wisconsin’s year-round outdoor activities bring people outside to enjoy the natural environment and view and appreciate wildlife resources. Wild animals are valued by many, and it’s important to observe them at a respectful distance to keep them wild and allow for their life in the wild to continue.

During the warmer months, the frequency of human-wildlife encounters increases, especially those involving young wild animals. While most of these encounters are harmless, there are times when well-intentioned people interfere in wildlife situations because they incorrectly assume a young animal is orphaned.