As nature awakens in the spring, the sighting of young animal becomes more common, as does rescuing of seemingly orphaned animals by humans. A biologist warns that people shouldn't interfere with nature and urges them to let the animals be.
Birds and seals are among the animals that people have tried to save when they encounter them on their own and apparently helpless in nature. Ellen Magnúsdóttir, a biologist that the National Broadcasting Service RÚV spoke to, says that usually it's best to leave the animals alone, even if they do seem orphaned. The young animals need to learn to survive on their own.
We perhaps have a tendency to anthropomorphize animals and think they are in danger if they're on their own, even if that's not always the case, warns Ellen.
Mothers hide if humans approach their pups
For example, young harbour seals are often left behind when their mothers go out to sea in search of food. The mother will sometimes hide if humans approach the pup. Saving the animals can thus sometimes do them more harm than good.
Ellen recommends leaving the animals be and perhaps check on them the next day. People's urge to help springs from compassion but in nature it's the survival of the fittest that counts.
As nature awakens in the spring, the sighting of young animal becomes more common, as does rescuing of seemingly orphaned animals by humans. A biologist warns that people shouldn't interfere with nature and urges them to let the animals be.
Birds and seals are among the animals that people have tried to save when they encounter them on their own and apparently helpless in nature. Ellen Magnúsdóttir, a biologist that the National Broadcasting Service RÚV spoke to, says that usually it's best to leave the animals alone, even if they do seem orphaned. The young animals need to learn to survive on their own.
We perhaps have a tendency to anthropomorphize animals and think they are in danger if they're on their own, even if that's not always the case, warns Ellen.
Mothers hide if humans approach their pups
For example, young harbour seals are often left behind when their mothers go out to sea in search of food. The mother will sometimes hide if humans approach the pup. Saving the animals can thus sometimes do them more harm than good.
Ellen recommends leaving the animals be and perhaps check on them the next day. People's urge to help springs from compassion but in nature it's the survival of the fittest that counts.
