Sidebar by Lynda La Rocca
Wildlife – June 2004 – Colorado Central Magazine
According to the state Division of Wildlife, it is illegal in Colorado to possess most species of native wildlife. It is also … unlawful for any person to release or possess for release any species of wildlife (native or non-native) except as allowed by specific regulations.
That’s about all I could find when searching the Colorado Division of Wildlife website for a rule that would apply specifically to our hummingbird incident. The legality of such actions seems to hinge on the definition of the word possess which, like much legalese, is subject to interpretation.
A lot basically depends on the situation, says Cruz Latil, administrative assistant in the Glenwood Springs CDOW office. The CDOW wants to know things like: Why was the bird stressed to begin with? Why was it in your possession? For what purpose?
While it is permissible to harbor an exhausted bird for a few hours and then release it, holding the same bird for 24 hours or more may cross the line into prohibited behavior.
But the main problem with the public attempting to care for wildlife is a lack of knowledge regarding the specific needs of individual species, Latil explains.
Feeding cow’s milk to some kinds of wildlife, for instance, can cause severe intestinal problems, even death. And then there are the disasters caused by improper imprinting.
Imprinting is a rapid learning process that occurs early in the life of social animals. An appropriately imprinted youngster recognizes, and is attracted to, others of its kind. Conversely, an animal imprinted on another species views itself as the offspring of that species. Lacking the right role models, this creature will not learn crucial social and behavioral skills, making its survival in the wild extremely unlikely.
Your intent was totally different, Latil told me. In the hummingbird’s case, you had an adult bird that sounds like it just ran out of energy. You helped it and released it.
In a similar situation, Latil recommends contacting the nearest CDOW office (listed in the telephone directory under “Colorado State Government”) for advice on the proper course of action.
For more information, visit www.wildlife.state.co.us.