When you think about it, Yosemite is one big birthing room. As such, rangers are cautioning summer visitors to look but not touch, and to give any young wildlife – baby birds, fawns, etc. – plenty of space.
“They may appear to be in distress, but are not sick, injured, or abandoned,” the park notes of young wildlife. “If moved from their location, the parents cannot care for their offspring and many of the young animals do not survive.”
If spotted on the ground, these animals should not be moved or handled, rangers say. In fact, visitors who happen across newborn wildlife are asked to immediately leave the area so the parents can continue to care for their young.
“When people are present, a mother deer or bird may become aggressive or stay away for longer periods of time, which will prevent the offspring from feeding on a regular basis,” the park says in cautioning visitors.
Visitors with concerns for wildlife are asked to contact a ranger immediately and not touch or move any animal.
