A guide to help you make the best decision concerning when and when
not to assist wildlife.
SMALL MAMMAL BABIES
In nature, young animals sometimes become separated from their parents
and need help. If the mother's dead body has been seen or the young
one is obviously injured, ill, cold, or starving - intervention is
necessary. In many cases, however, when baby animals appear "orphaned"
they actually are being well cared for. Over 75% of young animals
that are rescued by well intentioned people do not need help.
General Mammal Information
Before you make any decision to intervene, the most important thing
to do is to patiently observe the young animal in its surroundings
to decide if the baby actually needs help. Make sure any cats and
dogs are confined and children are kept out of the area. If the
baby animal has its eyes open, is fully furred and is walking around,
it probably just strayed too far from its mother while she is
foraging. Watch from a distance for two hours before intervening.
Was there a storm with high winds? Could it have fallen from a nest?
Was there a threat in the area that would force the mother to flee?
If the baby is cold to the touch it has been separated from the parents
too long and needs immediate help from a professional. Otherwise, if
the baby animal is without fur or too young to walk with good balance,
place it in a box with non-stringy bedding warmed in a dryer. Put the
box at the base of a tree close to where you discovered it. Parents
will reclaim babies, even though it may take a few hours. The mother
may not miss the baby until her milk glands feel full or she hears it
crying.
Sometimes you can gently handle the baby and it will cry, attracting
the mother's attention. Human scent does NOT cause abandonment as
the old wives tale says. Abandonment may occur if you are too close
to the baby for the mother to return and she is kept away too long,
so do what you need to as quickly as possible.
Wildlife's natural parents are always better at caring for them than
human foster parents. Quite simply, a wild animal's chances of
survival are greatly increased when left in their natural environment.
Individual Species Information
Gray Squirrels: General information
Flying Squirrels: General information, but must be done at night
as this species is nocturnal
Opossum: If the mother is found dead you can check her pouch
for naked babies. They are attached to her nipples but can be gently
popped off with your thumb. If 7 or more inches long, have good
balance and seem in good condition, are probably on their own so
leave them alone.
Rabbits:
Eyes closed or up to 5 inches:If the nest site is
known (a shallow depression usually lined with fur), return it to
the nest, disturbing as little as possible. The mother will visit
the nest within 12 hours. Mothers do not reclaim babies that are
not in the nest.
5 inches or larger:People (especially children) will catch a
young (3-4 week old) rabbit that seems too small to be on its own.
Rabbits leave the nest and become self-sufficient at a very young age.
Rabbits rarely survive captivity, and if uninjured, should be released
immediately.
Deer:Young fawns easily imprint on humans which can be dangerous
for both the deer and humans. Humans have been attacked and killed
by former "pet" deer encountered in the woods. Also, deer that are
"tame" lose that wariness of man and man-made dangers, such as roads,
that protects them from harm. Fawns must be reunited with the mother
or raised in a rehabilitation center that can rear it correctly for
release. The mothers will leave their young alone and feed elsewhere,
so that predators will not be attracted to the helpless fawn. She
will only come back to nurse twice during the day. If found lying
quietly alone, leave undisturbed. Fawns do not have a scent to avoid
detection by predators. "Kidnaped" fawns can often be returned to
their mothers if taken back to where they were found within 8 hours.
Older fawns that receive minor injuries may be treated and returned
immediately to the area where they were found. They can usually locate
the mother by themselves if given the chance.
Other mammals:When handling high risk rabies carriers such as
raccoon, skunk, fox, otter, and bats, avoid direct contact. Use
gloves, towels or a blanket when handling. If the den site or burrow
is known, placing the baby nearby is sufficient.
If the parent does not return, and
you decide to take responsibility for the young animal, it is important
to get it to a licensed wildlife rehabilitator as soon as
possible. They are permitted by the state Game and Fish Department
and by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to provide care for wildlife.
Keep the animal in a warm, dark and quiet place where it can't move
around much (such as a small box) and don't attempt to feed it.
Always keep in mind that it is illegal to harass, harm, or possess
wildlife. Enjoy observing wild animals in their natural surroundings,
but don't try to touch them. If you observe someone harming or
harassing wildlife, contact your local Game and Fish Department
immediately. Your quick actions may help save a wild life!
(A portion of this information is taken from the Florida Audubon
Society brochure October 1993)
If the parent does not return, and
you decide to take responsibility for the young animal, it is important
to get it to a licensed wildlife rehabilitator as soon as
possible. They are permitted by the state Game and Fish Department
and by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to provide care for wildlife.
Keep the animal in a warm, dark and quiet place where it can't move
around much (such as a small box) and don't attempt to feed it.
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