Last evening I was walking my dog on the path behind my house. I live in the city. There was this young fella standing with a 5 gal pail and a cell phone recording something. The closer I got to him, I noticed a porcupine by a tree. Fair enough buddy is having a natural moment. What's with the fiver? I say Hi how's it going. Nice porcupine. Then he points out the baby one by the tree. only a day or two old. Turns out He saw the baby yesterday evening and the mother was gone and didn't come back for two hours. As he sat there and watched the wee one. Call fish and wildlife and finds out where to find a shelter for the baby. Now I know what the five gal pail is for. We talk for a bit, he is wondering if mom has brought food for the little one, as he doesn't see anything she brought. I remind him about mammals.
I have listened to his concerns. I explain how the system works. Mothers will hide their young when they go foraging for food. They return and feed. Sometimes a first time mother may not be as attentive as she should be. Law of the woods. I explain to him that he should back up about another 30 yards to give space, that he was creating stress to mom. It's ok to observe from a safe distance.
How many times do you here stories on the news about city people rescuing baby animals, by finding them and waiting a hour or so and don't see mom. Mom is watching you, only they are to unaware to see her as she is hiding. Leave well enough alone, unless there is a great amount of stress on the young one. Is mom dead and laying there? Figure it out. Sometimes people drive me nuts. I hope he made the right decision.
Sorry about the rant. Thanks for listening
Leroy