'Let them do their thing': Wildlife expert shares advice for keeping wildlife safe this spring

Milwaukee/Oconomowoc, Wis. (CBS 58) — Though it may not feel like it yet, the month of May means warmer weather is approaching, and warm weather often brings more wildlife.

This time of year, you might see baby bunnies, squirrels, or other animals around your neighborhood, even in the city.

Wildlife experts say in most cases, the best thing to do... is nothing.

Last week, four infant grey squirrels were brought to Wildlife in Need Center in Oconomowoc.

Lisa Fosco, WINC's director of animal care, said they were left in an attic without their mother.

“The landlord trapped the mom and relocated her far away, and then they found the babies three days later," Fosco explained.

They are just a few of the many babies the center expects to save this season.

“It’s a really active time to not only have nests and babies in your trees, and your yard, and your attics, and your decks, but it’s also a time that these animals are out and about a lot more," Fosco said.

She explains that wildlife breeding season has changed in Wisconsin due to the changing climate.

“We used to be able to say, in March we’ll see this, and in May we’ll see this," Fosco said. "But in the last few years, that has gone completely out of the norm.”

You can expect to see babies out anytime from now through September.

“The best thing that we can always suggest doing is stay away from them and let them do their thing," Fosco warns. "Don’t intervene, don’t interfere. Keep your dogs, your kids, your pets away from them.”

Wildlife in Need Center often gets calls about rabbit nests found in yards or gardens.

“They’re only in the nest for about 21 days, and then they spend five days running around in that area, and then they’re gone," Fosco said.

She says rabbit moms only visit their nest twice a day - at dawn and dusk.

“What we recommend people do is, if you know you have a nest, just cover it during the day with a laundry basket," Fosco advised. "You can mow around it, let your dogs around it.”

Experts say usually, relocating any animal or nest is a bad idea.

“When you relocate a wild animal, the chances of survival are very, very low," Fosco said. "Even when people take them out of the middle of the city and put them in what they think is the really nice-looking woods. Those are city animals, they don’t know how to survive in those other areas.”

For all animals, she says to cautious when driving, letting out your dogs, and doing home repairs or yard work.

“Just really trying to work with the public to maintain peaceful coexistence, give this animals a chance without intervening," Fosco explained.

If you have questions or concerns, you should call the Wisconsin DNR or your local wildlife center.