In hope of avoiding future controversy concerning wildlife pets and to help further educate the public, Indiana’s Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is trying to get the word out early on injured and orphaned wildlife. In short, DNR Wildlife biologists are asking the public to help keep Indiana’s wildlife wild.

“Rescuing an injured or apparently abandoned baby wild animal may do the opposite of what you seek to accomplish and eventually, cause the animal more harm than good,” said Mark Reiter, director of the DNR Division of Fish & Wildlife (DFW).

A video explaining what to do when finding an injured or orphaned wild animal is posted on the DNR YouTube channel, at http://youtu.be/je5O9W jwuzo

State law defines wildlife as a public resource belonging to all Indiana citizens, and the DNR is assigned the responsibility of managing wildlife populations on their behalf.

The DNR’s professional resource management approach is based on the welfare of wild animal populations, the relationship of a wild animal to other animals and the welfare of the people. State law prohibits possessing or taking a wild animal without a DNR-issued license or permit.

Each year, thousands of animals are born in the wild. As suburban areas spread into their natural habitats, young animals are increasingly born near humans. Most baby wild animals you may encounter are not orphaned. What may seem like an abandoned animal is normal behavior for most wildlife, so picking it up is usually unnecessary.

“The apparent lack of an adult does not mean a young animal is orphaned,” said Linnea Petercheff, operations staff specialist for the DFW. “Adults often leave their young alone, safe in nests or dens, while they forage for food, but rarely do they abandon their young.”

Taking a wild animal out of its natural environment, even if it’s injured, can reduce its best chance at survival as it becomes accustomed to relying on humans for food or shelter.

Such animals pose safety and health risks for humans. They may look helpless, cute and cuddly, but they can bite or scratch people who attempt to handle them. Wildlife can carry infectious diseases and parasites that can be transmitted to humans or domestic animals.

But, there is a proper – and legal – way to care for a wild animal truly in need.

The DNR issues wild animal rehabilitation permits to qualified individuals. Licensed wildlife rehabilitators are trained in the proper care and handling of wild animals, to prevent the animal from being imprinted on humans and to make sure it has the best chance of survival when released back into the wild where it belongs.

Requirements for obtaining a wild animal rehabilitation permit can be found on the DNR website at www.in.gov/dnr/ fishwild/5492.htm

If you find a wild animal truly abandoned, sick or injured, don’t make it your pet. Instead, do one of the following:

•Leave it where it is. Fawns, baby rabbits and other young wild animals are left alone at times while the mother is obtaining food. Rabbits, for example, only visit their nest twice a day to help deter predators.

•If you find a baby bird, squirrel or other animal outside of its nest, carefully put it back in the nest. Human scent will not deter the mother.

•Call a licensed wild animal rehabilitator; a current list can be found under the wildlife rehabilitator link at www.in.gov/dnr/fishwild/5492.htm

•Call the DFW in Indianapolis at 317-232-4080.

•Call the DNR Law Enforcement central dispatch at 812-837-9536.

•Call a licensed veterinarian for immediate assistance with a sick or severely injured wild animal. In this instance, be aware you will be held personally responsible for any bills incurred for treatment of the animal.

The Martin County 4-H Shooting Sports Council will sponsor an Indiana hunter education course March 7 and March 8 from 6-10 p.m. and March 9 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Attendance to all sessions is required for certification.

Come and learn about wildlife conservation, hunter ethics, firearms safety, survival and much more. Anyone born after Dec. 31, 1986, is required to take the course before purchasing an Indiana hunting license.

The class will be geared toward youth, but all ages are welcome. All instruction will be conducted by Indiana conservation officers and certified Indiana Volunteer Hunter Education Instructors.

Refreshments and lunch on Saturday will be provided. Pre-registration is required and may be accomplished online at www.passitonindiana.com

For more information, call Conservation Officers District 7 Headquarters at 812-789-9538.

Five grants have been awarded for projects that will increase awareness and activity on and along the Wabash River. The grants, announced by the DNR in conjunction with the Wabash River Heritage Corridor Commission (WRHCC), aim to increase access sites and river camping opportunities along the river.

A total of $420,983 will be divided as follows:

•Historic Forks of the Wabash will receive $56,000 for camping and canoe access to Ehler Island in Wabash County

•Banks of the Wabash, Inc. will receive $65,550 for camping and small boat access at Pittsburg Riverfront Park in Carroll County

•The town of Montezuma will receive $119,922 to improve camping facilities and develop trails in Reeder Park in Parke County

•The town of Attica will receive $139,511 to enhance camping at Ouabache Park in Fountain County

•Carroll County Wabash & Erie Canal, Inc. will receive $40,000 for a bridge over the canal and trail at Wabash & Erie Canal Park in Carroll County

The WRHCC was established by the Indiana legislature to promote and enhance Indiana’s State River, the Wabash. The Commission consists of individuals from each of the 19 Indiana counties through which the Wabash runs, along with representatives from state government.

For more information about the WRHCC, including contact information for its members and to learn how to suggest potential future projects, visit www.in.gov/wrhcc

Funding for the projects comes from mineral extraction royalties from oil under the Wabash River. The program will fund approximately $300,000 in projects every other year. State funding is 80 percent of the project; 20 percent comes from local matching funds. For more information, visit www.dnr.IN.gov/outdoor/ 4067.htm

The views and opinions expressed in this column are those of the author and not necessarily those of Farm World. Readers with questions or comments for Jack Spaulding may contact him by email at jackspaulding @hughes.net or by writing to him in care of this publication.