What is a common misconception about wildlife rehabilitation?

The idea that it is essential to intervene in all cases of wildlife abandonment reflects a common misconception. In reality, many wildlife species have evolved specific coping mechanisms that allow their young to survive without human intervention. For instance, a mother bird may leave her nest temporarily to search for food, and the young may appear abandoned, but in fact, the mother is nearby and will return.

Intervention should be approached with caution and ideally only occur when the young animal is truly orphaned or in distress and cannot survive on its own. Understanding the needs of wildlife and recognizing when intervention is necessary is crucial for successful rehabilitation efforts.

In contrast, the other options highlight different misconceptions but do not focus on the necessity of appropriate intervention. The belief that all wildlife can thrive in a domestic environment overlooks the specific habitat needs and behaviors of wild species. The idea that rehabilitated animals can never be released back into the wild ignores the successful outcomes of many rehabilitation efforts aimed at restoring wildlife to their natural habitats. Lastly, the notion that humans should handle all young animals fails to take into account the potential harm that human interaction can cause, including stress and imprinting, which can hinder the animal's ability to survive in the wild.