BUCKSPORT, Maine (WABI) - When it comes to rescuing wildlife, transporters and licensed rehabbers say not to believe everything you read online.

“They think it needs food. They think it needs water, and they get all kinds of advice because they don’t necessarily go on Google. They go on Facebook,” said wildlife transport volunteer, Doug Alley.

While it may feel right to step-in and take action when you see injured wildlife, it’s best to observe and report to a state-licensed rehabber before doing anything.

“Give us a call, send us a picture and we can determine if that animal does need to come into care,” advised Susan Wotton, Director of Critterville Wildlife Rehabilitation Center.

Once you are in contact with a rehabber, they’ll often advise against giving any food or water.

“At that point if you introduce food and the animal is not warm, not hydrated, its body systems are not functioning properly, and food will unfortunately kill it. We ask you not to feed or give them water, not because we want all the fun of feeding these little baby animals, but because it can severely hurt them. Small animals can aspirate very easily,” explained Wotton.

In many cases, mom isn’t very far away, and rehabbers will be able to tell based on pictures and videos.

“White-tailed deer and red foxes like to leave their babies near human beings. Foxes particularly, and probably deer also, because coyotes don’t like to be near people and so coyotes are big predators of both fawns and foxes. So, if there is a fawn near your house or a fox den near your house, that’s mom’s choice,” stated Alley.

“If there is not confirmation of the deceased mom, there are ways that we can tell by seeing the picture of the animal that that animal has been without the mom for a certain number of days. Animals get flystrike which is where flies will come and lay their eggs on them. Their eyes get sunken when they’re dehydrated. If it’s a fawn, their ears start to curl. They could have ants,” Wotton said.

When birds fledge and leave the nest, they may look like they need help when they don’t.

Bunnies should be left alone as well.

“Those you should just leave alone same thing with baby bunnies. If you see a baby bunny, bunnies are precocious which means they’re born with their eyes open ready to go,” Wotton added.

And if a rehabber does instruct you to touch an animal, always wear gloves as rabies is a serious matter.

More information on the matter including a statewide list of licensed rehabbers can be found here.

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