18 ILLINOIS AUDUBON BULLETIN 
been “abandoned” and must have human care. Often, baby rabbits, — 
young squirrels, other wildlife are taken in, to be nursed, fed, cuddled, 
“loved” by humans who are afflicted with anthropomorphosis. This is not 
only dangerous to the people who befriend the animals, it is pitifully 
tragic for the animals themselves. They are creatures of nature and must 
live in and under nature’s laws. To attempt to domesticate young rabbits, 
squirrels, raccoons or birds is simply to give them a one-way ticket to 
premature death. 
The dangers of rabies and other diseases, plus the hazards associated 
with a growing animal’s instinctive tendencies to bite or scratch in play or 
self defense, are enough argument against picking up strays or strangers 
in the animal world — where humans are concerned. 
But besides this, kindness to animals dictates that they be left alone. 
Most often, an animal or bird baby found seemingly helpless is not as it 
seems — the mother is nearby, probably frightened off by this intrusion 
of humans. If left alone, the adult animal or bird will return to care for its 
young as nature dictates. 
I have a personal philosophy which extends to domestic animals, or 
pets, also. If I can’t give an animal a good home, and care for him first 
class, I will not attempt to take him, or adopt him. 
I love animals too much to sentence a poor unfortunate to a life with 
me. And I’m a poor, yes very poor, substitute for Mother Nature. 
Those who take in the strays, the waifs, the young-of-the-year, do so 
for some other reason than love for animals. They do so to gratify a 
selfish instinct to pet, to cuddle, to “love” a soft, baby-like creature — an 
instinct that is not possessed at all by that creature. 
Yes, taking the young in and befriending them is too often not only 
an act of ignorance, but actually an act of unkindness. An exception could 
be where it is obvious that a wing is broken, or that an injury is crippling 
that individual. In these cases, temporary care may be called for, with 
release back into nature’s care as soon as practical. 
It is to safeguard both animals and humans that the state game code 
reads: “It is unlawful to take and possess. . .” And most folks who do 
this springtime “befriending”, usually don’t realize they’re going against 
the law. 
It is much better to live with, enjoy, observe and meditate on the 
animals and birds in a garden, out in nature where they belong. A garden 
. . . like Lincoln Memorial Garden. 
