A Scottish campaign has been launched which aims to protect baby wildlife from well-meaning humans.
The Scottish SPCA says that each year they are called out thousands of times to help young wildlife who, in many cases, don't actually need any assistance.
They add that well-meaning humans, who often think they are helping,tend to move small animals around while under the impression they are in need of assistance.
This simply causes an animal welfare issue as the creatures could become lost to their parents or siblings.
Those at the animal welfare charity say that they are most frequently contacted about baby birds, foxes, deer and hedgehogs in Scotland.
Rather than interfering, people are urged to follow three key steps – observe, wait and act.
The campaign states: "Observe - don't get too close to any young wild animals you see. You could scare them and, as they will likely be nearby, their parents and siblings. Instead, maintain a safe distance and observe as much as you can.
"Wait - if there is no sign an animal is sick or injured, and there's no immediate threats to it (i.e. it is on a busy road or vulnerable to predators), then do not disturb it. Instead, leave it be for a few hours and return to check on it again.
"Act - once you've waited a while, hopefully a parent has returned and the wee one is fine. If there's no sign of an adult or no evidence one has visited, give our Animal Helpline a call on 03000 999 999.
"By following these simple steps, you can be #WildlifeWise. Let's not create orphans when we don't have to."
For more information on the campaign visit the Scottish SPCA website.
