Orphaned or Injured Wildlife

What to Do with Lost, Orphaned or Injured Animals

First, check whether you need to or should help the animal: MN DNR Should you help? If an animal is exhibiting aggressive or unusual behavior, do not approach it. 

Many animal mothers, such as deer and rabbits, leave their babies alone and hidden to keep them safe from predators. This is normal. Hanging around the baby would only draw attention to its location. Song bird fledglings on the ground are still fed by the parent birds. Intervention on your part is likely not needed. Stay away and let the parents do their jobs. 

If you have questions, contact the Wildlife Rehabilitation Center of Minnesota. They have the permits, facility, and expertise that are needed to help the animal: 

Wildlife Rehabilitation Center of Minnesota
2530 Dale Street N
Roseville, MN 55113

Phone: 651-486-9453

Maplewood Nature Center Does Not Take Animals

Please do not bring animals to Maplewood Nature Center. We do not have staff or facilities to care for injured or orphaned wildlife. Releasing captured animals is not allowed without a permit. Relocating animals from your yard to new unfamiliar locations puts the animal into well-established territories at the new site and usually leads to the death of the transferred animal. 

Permits are required to keep most wild animals or release captive animals into the wild. These animals often transmit diseases to the wild animal population. Many invasive species have been established by releasing non-native animals or pets into the wild; Habitattitude™ | Protect Our Environment From Invasive Species.