The city of Vysoké Tatry is once again urging residents and visitors not to try to help animals that appear to be abandoned. According to the municipality, this is a recurring yearly issue when people find seemingly “abandoned” young animals and try to rescue them, even though wild animals do not need such help.
“Wild animals often hide their young near human dwellings, where they feel safer from predators and can find enough food,” the city stated. Although the animals may look frightened and weak, people should not try to assist them. “Never feed them and do not approach them. The best way to help is to ignore them and allow them to rest in peace—so they can remain where their mother left them,” the municipality appeals.
The Tatras National Park administration regularly highlights this problem as well, explaining that when encountering wildlife—especially deer—it is important to follow several basic rules. “Animals are not hungry. Maintained lawns provide them with enough natural food. Human food can seriously harm them. The female has only temporarily left her young; she keeps it within sight and can smell it. A hind must graze to produce enough milk and regularly returns to the young. If we scare the animal or touch the young, we cause stress, disrupt the natural feeding rhythm, and endanger both mother and offspring,” conservationists say. Any human interference, they warn, can cause severe stress and in extreme cases may even lead to the animal’s death.
The mayor of Vysoké Tatry, Jozef Štefaňák, added that females are aggressive while caring for their young and urged people to be cautious and respectful toward wildlife. He also reminded dog owners to keep pets on a leash during walks. In the past, there have been attacks on both people and dogs; in Horný Smokovec, one pet was even killed. If someone finds an injured protected animal, the city recommends contacting the TANAP administration.
Source: TASR
