Wildlife babies usually don't need rescuing.

Each spring, flocks of winter-weary people journey outdoors to enjoy the long-overdue warm weather. Some plant flowers and rake; others may play in the park. Many will find baby animals scurrying across the grass or chirping under a tree and -- with all humane intentions -- believe the animals are orphaned. So, they "rescue" them, inadvertently preventing the animals, parents from caring for their young.

"People usually find baby birds or mammals during spring and summer," explains Mark Pokras, director of the Wildlife Clinic at Tufts University School of Veterinary Medicine, North Grafton, Mass. "Some days, we get dozens and dozens of calls from these people asking how they can help the animals. But what these well-meaning people don't realize is that generally the babies were exactly where they were supposed to be, doing exactly what they were supposed to be doing, and didn't need to be rescued."

Many times, children find fledgling baby birds darting across the lawn or huddling under the shrubs. These babies have graduated from their naked, nestling stage and are now partially feathered. They either jump or fall from the nest during flight training. "If little Sam or Sally finds a baby bird on the ground and brings it into the house, parents can explain to the child that the baby is fine and will spend some time on the ground before it can fly. Its mother is keeping a watchful eye our for it and will continue to feed the...