1. line drawing of raccoonWild animals, if they are to survive in captivity, often require highly specialized care. Without such care they will remain in poor health and may eventually die.
  2. As wild animals mature, they can become dangerous to handle and damaging to property.
  3. Animals are better off in their natural habitat where they are free to reproduce and carry on their species.
  4. If a wild animal is broken to captivity, it will probably die if returned to the wild. Conventional pets such as dogs, cats and birds will often die if they're dumped into the wild.
  5. Many wild animals are "nocturnal." This means that they are not active until after dark. They sleep during the day and can be quite disturbing at night while people sleep.

Setting the records straight on wildlife

  1. "Baby" Animals are Rarely Abandoned: People often jump to the conclusion that a newborn animal is "abandoned" if they find one all alone. The "parent" is afraid of people and will retreat when you approach. If the animal is left alone, the parent will usually return. In addition, parent animals cannot constantly attend their young. Often they spend many hours each day gathering food.
  2. Young Birds Out of Their Nest: Young birds occasionally fall from their nests. The parents will continue to care for young birds if they are carefully returned. However, many young birds normally go through a stage where they are too active to remain in the nest but are not yet able to fly. The parents will continue to care for them until they can fly.
  3. A Zoo Won't Take It: A wild animal that has been declawed, defanged or descented will not be accepted by a zoo and will certainly die if released into the wild.
  4. Harmless Little Things: Mites, ticks, lice, fleas, flukes, roundworms, tapeworms, rabies, distemper, tuberculosis, respiratory diseases and skin diseases caused by a fungus are carried by native wildlife. Some of these diseases can be transmitted to humans.
  5. Wild Animals are Protected by Law: It is illegal to possess many wild animals without a valid state or federal permit. See the Wildlife Code of Missouri for details or contact the Missouri Department of Conservation, P.O. Box 180, Jefferson City, Missouri 65102.