When wandering through thickets or corn fields, it can happen that you unexpectedly come across such a family and are threatened or, in rare cases, even attacked. «For your own safety and also out of consideration for the resting areas of wild boar and Co., forest paths and hiking routes should therefore not be left. Creatures that are active at dusk and at night, in particular, like to withdraw into the thicket during the day and could be startled by the intrusion of people. So that nocturnal forest dwellers can search for food or hunt for prey undisturbed in meadows and fields, walkers should also not be in the forest after dusk,» adds the expert.
In spring it should be noted that the young animals are born at this time of the year and that disturbances can have far-reaching consequences then. Anyone who sights wild animals with their offspring should immediately and quietly move away. This also applies if young animals are found without their mother. “Hares or deer, for example, often leave their young alone for many hours a day. They return at regular intervals to suckle, but then quickly move away again to look for food and not draw the attention of potential predators to the young,” says Eva Lindenschmidt. «In the meantime, the little ones remain motionless on the grass and usually don’t run away when someone approaches. This is perfectly normal and no reason to pick up or handle these animals. The same applies here: move away quickly to avoid any stress for the animal or even to chase away the nearby mother.”
Dogs should also be kept on a leash, at least during the spring and summer months. Every year, young wild animals are often injured by free-roaming dogs, which could be avoided in this way.
“Anyone who finds a wild animal that appears to be sick, injured or orphaned and is unsure whether it needs help should not hesitate to seek the advice of an expert before taking action and possibly collecting the animal for no reason. Contacts in such cases are wildlife stations, local nature conservation or animal protection associations, foresters, hunters or the police. It should be noted that human proximity and touch causes significant stress in wildlife. In particular, injured animals that are also suffering from pain can panic, injure themselves even more or even bite hard,” the expert advises.
It should also be a matter of course not to leave any rubbish in the forest. Discarded cans or plastic bags not only pollute our environment, they can also pose a risk to animals that can become entangled or injured. Glass bottles or discarded cigarettes can even trigger forest fires in dry weather. Anyone looking for relaxation outside in nature should be careful not to disturb or endanger our native wild animals in their habitat and to show appropriate consideration. Encountering a wild animal that you can observe from a safe distance in its natural environment can be a very special experience on such an excursion.