MDC urges public to leave wildlife wild

Missouri Department of Conservation

As you head outdoors to enjoy the warm weather, you may encounter a variety of newborn animals. Young wildlife can pull on our heartstrings as they appear to be abandoned, but that’s rarely the case.

The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) reminds the public that interfering with wildlife does more harm than good.

State Wildlife Veterinarian Sherri Russell said young animals are rarely orphaned.

“When we see newborn wildlife alone, that means the parents are likely out searching for food and will return,” she said.

A common newborn species people can come across in the spring season is young birds.

“If you see a chick with feathers hopping on the ground, leave it alone, because it’s a fledgling and the parents are nearby keeping watch,” Russell said. “Fledglings can spend up to 10 days hopping on the ground learning to fly. If you find one that has no feathers, you can return it to the nesting area if possible, as it likely fell out of its nest.”

RABBITS, TOO

“Rabbits seldom survive in captivity and can die of fright from being handled,” Russell said. “Even if the animal is injured, it’s best to return it to the nest, because the mother will most likely return.”

Human scent does not cause wild mothers to reject their young, and most newborn animals do not survive in captivity.

“It takes a lot of knowledge to care for and rehabilitate wild animals,” she added. “It requires special training, permits, and facilities, not to mention mechanisms used a chain drive to transfer force to the propeller, something Zimmerman wanted to avoid, preferring to focus on an enclosed, chainless drive instead.

The Prototype

By 2006, Zimmerman had started Native Watercraft and introduced the prototype for the Propel Drive. It was the second commercially sold pedal drive on the market.

But the differences were notable. Mirage Drive was a push-pedal foot mechanism that moved flippers beneath the boat. Propel Drive used a bicycling motion to rotate a propeller.

The big difference? Propel let the boater move backwards – something the early Mirage Drive could not do.

Making It Better

Shane Benedict, head of research and development at Native Watercraft, said the focus now is on refining the system to be smoother and more reliable. “Our biggest efforts are on gears and parts,” he said.

Benedict says propellers and pedal drives have stayed pretty much the same, noting that the efficiency of pedaling versus a boat’s hull speed and human power limit a boat’s capabilities, regardless whether its thrust is created by even more aggressive propeller blades or fins.

Kayak anglers appreciate speed to get into position during tournaments, but efficiency, smooth cadence and maneuverability are more important, Benedict maintains.

Historically, the principles of the mechanism used to pedal-power fishing kayaks today reach back through thousands of years of human history to include ancient Egyptians, Chinese and the famed scientist Archimedes, and have been influenced by millions of evolutionary years biologically to get where they are today.

So which evolved system is best? Benedict uses the Tortoise/Hare analogy – that the propeller is slower but more efficient over the long haul than the flapper/fin design, which has higher initial speed but is harder to maintain over the long haul. It seems both have settled into subtle, satisfying differences.

– that it’s illegal to possess many wild animals without a valid state or federal permit.”

Russell also noted wildlife can become dangerous as they mature and can carry disease and parasites and cause property damage.

“We know people have good intentions, and it can be tempting to take these cute, young animals in our homes, but the best thing we can do for wild animals is to leave them be,” she said.

To learn more about Missouri’s native wildlife, visit the MDC online Field Guide at https://nature.mdc.mo.gov/ discover-nature/field-guide/ search.