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What used to be wide-open habitat for wildlife has now become our backyards. It is important that we know how to co-exist with wild animals, and how to determine the proper care for any that become orphaned or injured.
Many times you will come across a baby bird, rabbit, squirrel or deer that you think may be orphaned and in need of help. This is not always the case! Rabbits, for instance feed their young only once or twice a day, then the mother stays away from the nest so she is not calling anyone’s attention to it.
A few general rules of emergency care for any type of wildlife:
1. Leave the animal alone if the parent is nearby.
2. Leave the animal alone if it appears fat, bright-eyed and healthy.
3. Rescue the animal if you see that its parent is dead.
4. Rescue the animal if it appears weak, sick or cold.
5. Rescue the animal if it appears to be visibly injured.
6. Rescue the animal if it is in danger from traffic or other animals.
Until you can get advice from your humane society or wildlife rehabilitator, place the animal in a box with holes and a clean ravel-free cloth. Nestle a hot water bottle or jar filled with warm water into or next to the cloth. DO NOT use grass for bedding, as it is usually damp enough to cause a chill. DO NOT attempt to feed or water the animal. Inexperience with the animal’s needs can be fatal.
Immediately call your humane society or wildlife rehabilitator. Do not ever attempt to nurse an animal back to health yourself. Not only is it illegal, but you will most likely kill the animal in your kind-hearted attempts.
Opossum: Opossums “play dead” when they are frightened, and they are very convincing. Should you find an “unconscious” possum in your garage or garbage can, leave the garage door open, or gently tip the can on its side. Leave the area for a few hours, and most likely the possum will leave too!
Squirrels: At about 5-6 weeks a baby squirrel is starting to explore its world, but a parent is usually watching. Do not interfere unless it looks sick or injured. A good rule to remember is if something is difficult for you to catch, it probably does not need your help.
Birds: If you find a small featherless baby bird, it has most likely fallen out of its nest. Try to locate the nest and gently replace the baby into it. Your human scent will not cause the parent to reject it. A young bird with feathers is a fledgling. You may see them perched on the ground or on a branch, and most likely the parent is nearby watching. Do nothing unless the fledgling appears to be in some type of danger.
Rabbits: At about one month of age, baby rabbits begin to leave the nest and explore. They are capable of feeding themselves at this point, even though they look very small. A good rule to remember is that as soon as a baby bunny is the size of your palm, he is ready to be on his own, unless he is injured or sick.
The next time you find an orphaned, injured or sick animal, remember, the best you can gift you can give it just may be patience and observation.
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