Look But Don't Touch... That Squirrel

Help Keep Wildlife Wild

One of the best parts of spending time outdoors is seeing wildlife. But when you get too close to wild animals, you risk hurting yourself or the animal, or even getting a disease. If you spend time outdoors, keep your distance from wildlife to keep everyone safe and healthy. 

Why we should keep wildlife wild 

When people feed or come in close contact with wild animals repeatedly, those animals can lose their fear of humans. This can cause wild animals to hurt people or pets or get themselves hurt while searching for food. Feeding wild animals can cause more harm than good, changing their natural behavior or migration patterns. 

Wild animals can also spread diseases to people and pets or other animals.

Enjoy wildlife from a distance

Never touch a wild animal, no matter how cute or friendly it seems. 
Birdfeeders are fine, but don’t feed other wild animals. Be aware that birdfeeders can attract other wildlife. Don't let bird food accumulate on the ground.
If an animal looks sick or hurt, call your local wildlife agency to help.  
Don’t touch young animals that look abandoned. Often their parents are close by waiting for you to leave before they return to their young. 
Leave rescuing wild animals to the pros – don’t bring a wild animal into your home.  
Don’t touch or pick up dead animals with your bare hands.  
Protect wildlife in your national parks and local recreational areas by staying on trails and following visitor guidelines, including those for pet waste and trash disposal.

Learn more

Healthy Pets, Healthy People is CDC's one-stop-shop for information on staying healthy around pets and other animals. Visit the website or follow @CDC_NCEZID for more updates.