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If you find an injured animal...
How do you know when an animal actually needs rescued??
Here's some information that can help.
Quick-Key. For quick information on a specific creature, click below.
BIRDS: Songbirds- Raptors- Waterfowl- Gamebirds
MAMMALS:
Squirrels- Rabbits- DeerOTHER:
Opossums
Does the animal need to be rescued?
It is far better for baby animals to be raised by their parents. However, there are circumstances where human intervention becomes necessary. Make certain that the animal you are trying to help truly needs to be rescued. Some examples are:
A general rule of thumb to follow when rescuing wildlife is: "If you can approach the animal as though to make contact, and the animal does not run away, then something is wrong.
What to do if the animal needs rescue??
Wild animals can be dangerous if they feel threatened, and may revive or become agitated unexpectedly. Never use your bare hands to handle any wild animal. Doing so may place both you and the animal in jeopardy. Use a towel, jacket, or gloves. Never assume that because you can approach it or pick it up that the animal is tame. Wild animals are never "tame". They may be dazed, frozen in fear, or seriously ill - but they are not tame. If you are uncertain of what to do, or how to do it, call
your local wildlife shelter, or ours if you do not have one, for assistance.If the animal is clearly injured or in need of help, place it on a towel or cloth in a box large enough for the animal to make a full turn, and/or sit up. Do not forget to put air holes in the lid, and tape the lid to the box. The box should be kept in a warm, quiet room while awaiting transport to the appropriate person or facility. DO NOT give the animal food or water prior to receiving instructions from a wildlife rehabilitator. Giving a severely dehydrated or emaciated animal food or water could kill it.
Songbirds-
Hatchlings are naked with eyes shut, and therefore are totally helpless. Nestlings are naked or lightly feathered with down, their eyes are open and they can walk or perch. A common misconception is that birds will not accept their hatchlings after they've been touched by humans. If a hatchling or nestling is found on the ground uninjured, it should be returned to it's nest if possible. If the nest is inaccessible or if the bird is injured, it needs to be rescued.
Fledglings have feathers and can walk, hop, and perch. They have left the nest and will spend several days on the ground or in low bushes learning to feed themselves. The parents are nearby and continue to feed and teach them. Leave fledglings where you find them, and keep dogs and cats indoors.
When baby birds are rescued, it is best to make a "nest" from a small basket or margarine tub. Put paper towels in the basket or tub, and place the bird in the center. Then place the 'nest' into a small box with a lid with air holes in it. It is important to get baby birds to a rehabilitator as quickly as possible, because little birds can literally starve to death in an hour's time. Do NOT give the little bird any food or water yourself. The opening to a birds lungs is on the floor of his mouth, and dropping water in his mouth unexpectedly can drown him.
Raptors-
Owls, hawks, falcons, and eagles are raptors. (birds of prey) Fledgling raptors leave the nest before they are able to fly. Often, the young are found sitting on branches, far from the nest. This is normal, and the parents are still caring for them. Never interfere with a young raptor unless it is on the ground or injured.
If you find a raptor that needs help, contact a rehabilitator immediately. All raptors, even as babies, are very dangerous and can inflict serious wounds with their talons and beaks. If the raptor must be moved, never use your bare hands.
Waterfowl and Gamebirds-
The young of these birds are covered with down when they are born and can walk and feed themselves soon after hatching. Usually the family is nearby, and if done quickly a separated bird can be reunited with it's parents.
Waterfowl and gamebirds are very social animals and the young must be raised in large groups. Only when the family cannot be found -or when the chicks are in immediate danger from cats, dogs, or cars, etc. -should these animals be rescued.
Squirrels-
The most common problems for squirrels in the urban area are: falling, being hit by cars, caught by a cat or dog, tree removal, and being orphaned. A squirrel will need help if it is naked and/or eyes closed and on the ground, if it is a juvenile who runs up to you or tries to follow you, or if it has been caught by a cat or dog -even if there are no visible wounds.
If a squirrel must be rescued, place it in a lidded box with a soft cloth to lay on and another to cover it. Put the box in a warm, quiet place and call the shelter -your local wildlife shelter or us, for instructions. Never pick up an adult squirrel with your bare hands.
Cottontails nest in shallow, hand-sized depressions in the ground. Look for small bare spots near a patch of dried grass before mowing lawns. If a rabbit nest is found, leave it undisturbed and keep cats, dogs, and children away from it. Does are rarely seen visiting the nest because they feed their young just twice each day around dusk and dawn.
If you suspect young cottontails have been orphaned, cross two slender sticks over the nest late in the afternoon, and check in the morning. If the sticks have been disturbed and the young appear O.K., the doe has returned to feed them. Young rabbits are able to care for themselves when they are about the size of a baseball, and only need dense cover for protection.
*Wild bunnies raised in captivity rarely survive, so please be certain the animal is truly orphaned before attempting a rescue*
Within minutes after birth a fawn is able to stand and walk. The doe will lead the fawn to a secluded spot and leave it there while she feeds nearby. The fawn is safe because its color pattern and lack of scent help to keep it virtually undetected by predators.
Never assume a fawn is abandoned just because its mother is not around. Unless the fawn is clearly sick, injured, or covered with fire ants, leave it alone and do not handle it.
The Opossum is North America's only marsupial. They are nocturnal and prefer wooded bottomlands. The urban opossum's worst enemy is most probably the automobile.
Opossums are usually weaned when they are about 3 1/2 months old. At this age they are about 9 inches long from nose to rump, and are largely independent. Young opossums will cling to their mother even after she has been killed. If a female opossum is found dead, there may be babies in her pouch, or clinging to her back. In this case, the young must be removed from their mother, and placed in a warm, dry box with a soft cloth for them to hide under. Immediately call Nature's Haven, or a wildlife rehabilitator near you.
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