MADISON — The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) recently announced the winners of the Keep Wildlife Wild poster contest. This year’s theme was “Safe in Their Home.”

Fourth, fifth and sixth graders across Wisconsin were invited to submit posters that spread the word about keeping all wildlife healthy and, most importantly, wild.

The Keep Wildlife Wild program began in 2014 with a focus on providing information about wildlife species’ natural behaviors, tips on how to determine if a wild animal is truly orphaned and what to do if someone finds a wild animal in need of assistance. The contest’s goal is to create a poster that teaches the importance of enjoying and observing wildlife in the wild and not keeping wildlife in homes or as pets.

During the warmer months of spring and summer, the frequency of human-wildlife encounters increases, especially those involving young wild animals. While most of these encounters are harmless, there are times when well-intentioned people disrupt wildlife because they mistake a lone wild animal for an orphan.

The Keep Wildlife Wild poster contest is a fun way for kids to help spread this important message. The DNR encourages students of all ages to learn how they can help keep wild animals in Wisconsin safe and healthy by visiting the Keep Wildlife Wild webpage.

Fourth-grade winners:

First place: Delaney Darton from Eagle River

Second place: Adelaide Dorsey from Neenah

Third place: Lillian Jaeckel from Milwaukee

Fifth-grade winners:

First place: Belle Manula from Sheboygan

Second place: Ishanvi Bansal from Sun Prairie

Third place: Drew Schroeder from Glendale

Sixth-grade winners:

First place: Paige Rife from Mosinee

Second place: Ellen Irving from Brooklyn

Third place: Abigail Gray from Madison