The following information was shared by the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, in reference to the news that a deer kept captive in Molalla will be taken from the family who raised her the past five years.

Why is ODFW so concerned about people keeping wildlife in captivity?

Holding wildlife in captivity is bad for wildlife. Often, it is fatal to the animal. The rescued animal usually ends up dehydrated, malnourished and with little chance of recovery because the well-intentioned people that removed it from the wild do not understand how to give it a proper diet. Also, animals removed from the wild when young lose their chance to learn critical skills that are passed on from the mother such as finding food and escaping from predators.

Holding wildlife in captivity is also a threat to public safety. Wildlife are not pets; they are wild animals and retain wild instincts. Animals that become accustomed to people, or “habituated,” lose their natural fear of people and can become aggressive to people. Buck deer grow antlers and become very territorial and aggressive during their rut season. Most wildlife attacks on people come from these habituated animals.

Another concern for captive wildlife is disease. When animals are concentrated like they are in a captive setting, they are more susceptible to disease and more likely to spread disease. A deer behind a fence can still have nose-to-nose contact with a wild deer that would enable transmission beyond the fence and into the wild, which could severely harm wild populations.

Long-standing laws put into place throughout America to protect wildlife start with the fundamental concept that wildlife belong to the people and not to private individuals. Deer are wildlife and are publicly-owned by the people of Oregon. Deer cannot be privately held except by a limited number of individuals with special permits.

Is anyone allowed to hold a deer or elk in Oregon?

Some individuals in Oregon have special licenses to hold and or breed cervids (deer and elk family) for commercial purposes such as selling elk meat. These individuals are required to take certain steps, such as disease testing, to limit risk to Oregon’s native wildlife.

Is there any reason to pick up a wild animal?

Before you remove any animal from the wild, call ODFW or the Oregon State Police.

In the case of a fawn or calf, if you have first hand knowledge that the mother doe or cow is dead, call ODFW for advice. The same applies if an animal or bird is clearly injured.

Is removing young wildlife from the wild a crime?

Under state rules administered by the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife and enforced by Oregon State Police, removing or “capturing” wildlife from the wild and keeping them in captivity without a permit are considered Class A misdemeanors, punishable by up to one year in jail and a $6,250 fine. In 2006, OSP cited nine people for one of these offenses. Visit the web site below for more detailed information on wildlife laws: http://www.dfw.state.or.us/OARs/44.pdf

What happens to young animals that are removed from the wild?

When ODFW comes into possession of a young animal that has been removed from the wild, it first assesses the animal’s heath. The department strives to place animals with a good chance of survival into licensed wildlife rehabilitation facilities but spaces in these facilities are limited.

How many young animals are removed from the wild annually?

ODFW statistics on this issue come from the reports of licensed wildlife rehabilitators, who sometimes come into possession of young wildlife removed from the wild. In 2006, with 65 percent of licensed wildlife rehabilitators reporting, a total of 168 young animals were removed from the wild. Of these, 31 died while in captivity. (Please remember these numbers are not representative of the total number of young animals removed from the wild, only those eventually cared for by wildlife rehabilitators.)

What if I see an abandoned fawn or elk calf?

During May and June, Oregon’s black-tailed, white-tailed and mule deer will give birth to their young. By instinct, does leave fawns for extended periods to feed and so they don’t draw attention to their newborns. Fawns are generally safe from predators because of their lack of scent and their protective coloring. So, please, leave them where you found them and leave the area. The mother doe is likely nearby. Your presence and/or leaving your human scent may frighten her away and endanger fawns.

Elk calves are also born in Oregon during the same timeframe and are similarly at risk. If a deer fawn or elk calf survives being raised in captivity by a licensed wildlife rehabilitator, its chances of surviving when released back into the wild are still very poor. For fawns in particular, published studies indicate that rehabilitated fawns do not survive for many weeks after release.

I found a newborn bird on the ground; should I bring it to a wildlife center?

A fledgling or nestling bird should be taken from its habitat only as a last resort. In captivity, it has no opportunity to learn the skills it needs to live in the wild, giving it only a slim chance of survival. A nestling should be gently and quickly returned to the nest. Resist the urge to keep checking on it; give the mother time and space to return. If the bird is a fully feathered fledgling, it may just be learning to fly. The mother bird will feed it on the ground until it “gets its wings.” A fledgling may be returned to the nest if there are cats or dogs in the area. Keep pets confined or indoors at this time. Visit the Audubon Society for more information: http://www.audubonportland.org/livingwithwildlife/brochures/baby_bird

Michelle Dennehy

Wildlife Programs Communications Coordinator

Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife