In Brief

Leave Wildlife Wild

Young wildlife may appear abandoned, but that’s rarely the case

Newborn wildlife can pull on our heartstrings, especially if you find them alone. But, interfering with wildlife usually does more harm than good, so leave wildlife wild.

A common newborn animal people come across in spring is young birds. If you see a chick with feathers hopping on the ground, leave it alone because it’s a fledgling and the parents are nearby keeping watch. Fledglings can spend up to 10 days hopping on the ground, learning to fly. If you find one that has no feathers, you can return it to the nesting area, if possible, as it likely fell out of its nest.

Don’t “rescue” newborn rabbits. Wild rabbits seldom survive in captivity and can die of fright from being handled. Even if the animal is injured, it’s best to return it to the nest because the mother will most likely return.

Human scent does not cause wild mothers to reject their young, but most newborn animals do not survive in captivity. Wildlife can also become dangerous as they mature, carry disease and parasites, and cause property damage.

For more information, visit short.mdc.mo.gov/4A5.

MDC Honors Former Commissioner Bedell

MDC recently honored former Commissioner Don Bedell during a dedication ceremony for the new Don C. Bedell Unit of Peck Ranch Conservation Area (CA) in the Missouri Ozarks.

Bedell, an avid conservationist and enthusiastic sportsman, served on the Missouri Conservation Commission through 2021 after serving two six-year terms. During his time serving on the Conservation Commission, Bedell saw MDC accomplish numerous feats, including the historic restoration of once-native elk at Peck Ranch CA in the Missouri Ozarks.

The 5,805-acre property, formerly known as Chilton Creek Research and Demonstration Area, contains some of the most biologically important woodland habitat in the Midwest and is surrounded by Peck Ranch CA, Rocky Creek CA, and Ozark National Scenic Riverway.

The Don C. Bedell Unit will be open to the public and managed by MDC for multiple uses under certification through the Sustainable Forestry Initiative.

For more information on Peck Ranch CA, visit short.mdc.mo.gov/4AS.

Give Turtles a Brake!

Be cautious on the roads this spring and give turtles a brake! These reptiles are often hit by cars during the warmer months but are at special risk this time of year because they are more active. Common turtles spotted crossing Missouri roads include three-toed box turtles, ornate box turtles, and snapping turtles.

Vehicles are one of the leading threats box turtles face in Missouri, and MDC urges motorists to be cautious and slow down if they see a turtle in the road. If helping a turtle make it safely across, check for traffic and always move the turtle in the direction it is traveling.

Additionally, MDC urges the public to leave turtles in the wild. Taking a wild animal, whether a turtle or other wildlife species, and keeping it as a pet normally ends in a slow death. Leave turtles in the wild, follow the speed limit, and keep your eyes on the road.

New Cases of CWD Reported

MDC staff sampled and tested more than 33,000 deer for chronic wasting disease (CWD) during the 2022 CWD surveillance year between July 2022 and April 2023. Of the more than 33,000 deer sampled, 117 tested positive for CWD.

Those 117 deer bring the total number of CWD cases found in the state to 409 since the first case in wild deer was confirmed by MDC in early 2012. Including recent sampling efforts, more than 243,000 tissue samples from wild deer have been collected for CWD testing in Missouri since MDC began surveillance in 2002.

It is a 100 percent fatal disease in white-tailed deer and other members of the deer family. The disease has been attributed to significant deer population declines in other states. Learn more at mdc.mo.gov/cwd.