05/28/2026
Spring means one thing in Colorado –– young wildlife will be out and about.
Between now and mid-June is when a lot of Colorado’s wildlife welcomes the next generation of their species, and it’s important we give them space to do so properly. Leaving young wildlife alone is the best way to ensure their safety and health. By keeping people out of the equation, wildlife stays wild.
If you find a young animal that appears to be “abandoned” chances are the mother is nearby keeping a close eye on its young. Young wildlife doesn’t need help being fed, watered or touched –– in many cases this can cause true abandonment by the mother, or make the animals sick.
Over the next couple months there will be plenty of fawns, calves, cubs, kits, fledgings and more –– and none of them need our help growing up. For those keeping track, the young wildlife in the list above are young deer, elk or moose, bears, foxes, birds and more, in that order.
Video Description: Two bear cubs swim across the Yampa River and meet their sow on the far bank before scampering up a steep, rocky hillside.
Video courtesy of C. Preston.
