Leave Wildlife Wild
Young animals may appear abandoned, but that’s seldom the case
As you head outdoors this spring, you may encounter a variety of newborn wildlife. MDC asks that you “leave wildlife wild” by not interfering with newborns or young animals because doing so may do more harm than good.
“Young animals are rarely orphaned,” said MDC Science Branch Chief Sherri Russell. “If the young are left alone, the parent will usually return. Parents are normally out searching for food and cannot constantly attend to their offspring.”
Russell added that baby birds are a common newborn people want to help.
“If you see a chick on the ground hopping around and it has feathers, leave it alone and bring pets inside because it is a fledgling and the parents are nearby keeping an eye on it,” she said. “Fledglings can spend up to 10 days hopping on the ground while learning to fly. If you find one that is featherless, you can return it to the nesting area, if possible, as it probably fell out of the nest.”
Dogs catching baby rabbits and lawn mowers running over nests are other common issues.
“Rabbits seldom survive in captivity and can actually die of fright from being handled,” Russell said. “Even if the animal is injured, return it to the nest because the mother will most likely return.”
Despite what many think, wild mothers do not abandon their young because of a human scent, and most newborn animals do not survive in captivity.
“While people have good intentions, the care and rehabilitation of wild animals requires special training, knowledge, facilities — and permits,” she explained. “Without such care, wild animals will remain in poor health and could eventually die. And it is illegal to possess many wild animals without a valid state or federal permit.”
Russell also noted that wildlife can become dangerous as they mature, and can also carry parasites, disease, and can damage property.
“Native wildlife can carry mites, ticks, lice, fleas, flukes, roundworms, tapeworms, rabies, distemper, tuberculosis, respiratory diseases, and skin diseases,” Russell said. “Some of these can be transmitted to humans.”
Although tempting to take them into homes, the best help people can offer wild animals is to leave them alone.
For more information on Missouri’s many native wildlife species, visit the MDC online Field Guide at short.mdc.mo.gov/Z9d.
Apply for Elk and Bear Hunting Permits
Hunters interested in pursuing black bear and/or elk in Missouri this fall need to apply for a limited number of permits in May.
MDC will offer 600 permits for the taking of a maximum of 40 black bears from three MDC black bear management zones in the southern part of the state during the 2025 Missouri black bear hunting season, Oct. 18–31. MDC increased the number of available permits from 400 to 600 for additional hunter opportunities and lengthened the season to incorporate an additional weekend for hunting. Missouri hunters harvested 15 black bears during the 2024 season with five being females and 10 being males. Get more information and apply during May at short.mdc.mo.gov/4js.
MDC will again offer five permits to hunt bull elk in Missouri this fall with at least one permit designated for qualifying landowners who own property in Carter, Reynolds, or Shannon counties and the remaining permits for qualifying residents. MDC has designated the elk archery portion to run Oct. 18–26 and the elk firearms portion to run Dec. 13–21. Get more information and apply during May at short.mdc.mo.gov/4jn.
Get MDC’s New Fishing Prospects Booklet
MDC’s new Fishing Prospects booklet contains summaries of fish-population surveys taken last fall at many MDC-managed areas with predictions of “best bets” locations for catching certain fish species. The booklet is available at MDC locations where publications are found, online at fishing.mdc.mo.gov, through our free MO Fishing app, and through our free information order form at short.mdc.mo.gov/4fK.
Celebrate Cape Nature Center Turning 20
Bring family and friends of all ages to the Cape Girardeau Conservation Nature Center on Saturday, May 3, to celebrate our 20th anniversary. Free indoor and outdoor fun — including archery, fishing, outdoor cooking, and more — will be available from 1–4 p.m.
Get one last look at the nature center’s popular ambassador animal — the conjoined twin western ratsnakes, known as the “two-headed snake.” They will be moving off public display to enjoy a private retirement after 20 years. They have been at the nature center since it opened.
In case of rain, some activities may be altered. Learn more about the nature center at short.mdc.mo.gov/4jd.
Lieutenant Aaron Pondrom
Pulaski, Phelps, Dent Counties
Most fawns are born between May and June, so you are more likely to encounter one this time of year. Remember, if you find a fawn alone, it has not been abandoned or orphaned. Mothers are aware predators are watching, so to minimize danger to their young, they stay away for large parts of the day, returning only a couple times a day to feed and to move the fawn when necessary. Fawns bed down, lying flat and still, to avoid predators. If you find a fawn, enjoy the experience. Take a picture, but do not move or disturb it. Remember, the best thing you can do for a fawn’s survival is leave it alone. For more information, visit short.mdc.mo.gov/4A5.
Fremont’s Leather Flower
by Malissa Briggler
The only non-climbing clematis native to Missouri can be found growing on dolomite and limestone glades in eastern and southwestern Missouri. The flowers are urn- or bell-shaped, usually hanging on short stems, with lavender or white petals. Blooms appear in April to May, but the plant is easily recognizable at other times of the year by its large, leathery leaves. The fruits develop during the summer and form an interesting medusa-like seed pod.
Why It’s Imperiled
Degradation of glade habitat by invasive species, encroachment of trees and shrubs, and lack of periodic burning have caused Fremont’s leather flower to dramatically decline. Currently, there are only a few sites in Missouri where this plant is found.
MDC Restoration Efforts
MDC tracks populations and works with landowners and partners that own and manage the land where this plant occurs. Efforts to restore populations of this rare species include protection and management of high-quality glade habitats.
What Can You Do?
If you are visiting a glade in Missouri and see Fremont’s leather flower, contact Missouri State Botanist Malissa Briggler, who also serves as the department's wildlife diversity coordinator, at malissa.briggler@mdc.mo.gov. Your help can provide valuable information needed to determine the status of this rare species in our state.
Peck’s Skipper
Found in fields, lawns, and other open habitats, peck’s skippers fly from May through October. They can be identified by the one yellow hindwing rectangle that is wider than the others. Males and females are similar, but females are darker. Adults visit a variety of flowers, including clovers, sunflowers, milkweed, butterfly bush, and more. This species commonly rests with its forewings held open in a V-shape while the hindwings are held out horizontally to the side.
And More...
This Issue's Staff
Editor – Angie Daly Morfeld
Associate Editor – Larry Archer
Photography Editor – Ben Nickelson
Staff Writer – Kristie Hilgedick
Staff Writer – Joe Jerek
Staff Writer – Dianne Van Dien
Designer – Marci Porter
Designer – Kate Morrow
Photographer – Noppadol Paothong
Photographer – David Stonner
Circulation – Marcia Hale