In the Spring and summer people often find baby animals and think they are orphaned, here are some guidelines to follow when you come across an animal and wonder if it needs help.

Birds.....First of all, it is not true that birds will abandon their babies if a person touches them.  Unlike other animals, birds are not sensitive to human scent, so this is a myth.  If you can locate the nest the baby has fallen from, put the baby back in the nest.  If the original nest was destroyed, or you cannot reach it, hang a basket or attach a margarine container with sticks and leaves in it to the tree.  wicker baskets are best as the rain will not gather in the basket like it will in a margarine container, but you can punch holes in the bottom of the container if this is your only option.  make sure the container or basket is not to deep.  Adult birds will not go into the new nest if they cannot see out if it.  Watch the nest to make sure the mother is returning to the new nest or the original nest that you have placed the young into.  If the mother does not return then you may call a rehabilitator in your area...... A bird on the ground that cannot fly and is almost full size is probably a fledgling.  Most of the time young birds leave the nest days before they learn how to fly.  This is normal as birds learn to fly from the ground up.  Watch the young bird to see if a parent is feeding the young fledgling, which should happen a few times per hour.  The fledgling may remain on the ground for several days, but is still fed and watched over by its parents.  So it is important to leave the young bird there, and make sure you keep your pets away from it.  If there are stray cats etc in the neighbourhood and you are worried about the fledgling becoming someones lunch then put the young bird in a basket and hang from a tree limb.   ......If the bird is injured or you are sure there is no parent taking care of it, or he is in danger, then call a rehabilitator in your area.

Raccoons.....If a baby raccoon has fallen from a nest and is not visibly hurt, give the mom time to come and find her baby and retrieve it, watch the baby to see if this happens, you can put the baby into a box with a blanket or towel while you wait for the mom to take him abck to the nest.  If the raccoon has its eyes open and has been wondering around for a few hours he has probably lost his mom.  or fallen from a nest.  mom coons dont usually let their babies out of their sight, if there is a dead adult coon in the area or you know someone has trapped one and relocated it probably needs help.  contact a rehabilitator in your area.

Squirrels.....If you find baby squirrels at the bottom of a tree, or on the ground where some treew ork has been done, leave the baby for a while and watch, the mom squirrel should be retrieved byt he mom.  If she does not come back to claim her baby you should call a rehabilitator in your area.  If there is a risk of a cat, dog or other animal getting to the baby then you may place the baby in a wicker basket and hang it in a tree, near to the spot where the baby was found, the mom hopefully will find her baby and take it home.  If the baby is not fully furred or it is cold out you can place a small water bottle full of hot water and put inside a sock into the basket to keep it warm while you watch to see if mom returns for it.

Deer.....People think deer fawns are orphaned and kidnap them unknowingly.  Mom is usually nearby watching.  Mother deer only visit and feed their young a few times a day, for the first month of its life, they hide their babies who at this point do not have a scent , they return to feed them but leave them alone so they do not attract predators to the baby.  Please leave the fawn alone, you may monitor the fawn from a far distance to see if the mother is returning, she will not return if she knows you are near by.  Deer can smell you and will be able to smell your scent ont he baby so do not touch the baby.....If the mother does not return or if the baby looks to be hurt or in distress, is wandering alone and constantly crying he may be orphaned, then you should call a rehabilitator in your area.

Opossums.....baby possums stay in their moms pouch for about 2 months, they have no fur and at this point are very tiny. when possums get to be 3-4 inches long they climb out and ride around on moms back, sometimes they fall off and mom does not know they are gone. (possums can have up to 13 babies) if the possum is alone and is less than 7 inches long in the body  he is probably in need of help.  if he is larger than this he is ok and old enough to be on his own. If you find a baby opossum in need of help contact a rehabilitator in your area.

Rabbits and hares....if you find a nest of bunnies leave them, mom rabbits only vist their nest and feed their young 2 maybe 3 times a day, usually at dusk and dawn to avoid leading predators to their young.  if the nest has been disturbed try to cover the babies again, place two sticks in an X on top of the nest, or you can also put a ring of flour around the nest, if the stick are disturbed or there are mom prints in the flour you know she is returning to feed and care for her family. If there are no signs of the mom returning or if the babies have been injured please contact a rehabilitator in your area...i your cat or dog has injured a rabbit and the rabbit has puncture wounds you need to get it seen to and treated as soon as possible.  Cats saliva is toxic and can kill,  the animal that has been bitten needs to be put on antibiotics immediately.  if the animal is an unharmed adult you may release it. 

Skunks.....If you find a baby skunk watch to see if it returns to its den or if mom comes out to take him home. if you need to aproach the baby, talk softly to it and move slowly so he knows you are there,  baby skunks dont usually leave their mom until they are a bit older then they will come out to explore while their mom is out. if you need to aproach the skunk watch for warning signs of feet stamping, if the skunk starts to stamp his front feet leave him alone and try again after he calms down, this is a warning sign that a skunk is not happy with the situation and will spray you if you get any closer.  If you feel the baby is orphaned or injured contact a rehabilitator in your area.

Fox.....baby fox usually play outside on their own while their parents are out hunting, if the kits seem healthy and energetic leave them alone, if you feel they are injured or sick or if the kit is very young and wandering around alone, you can contact a rehabilitator in your area.

Wild animals of all shapes and sizes are born during the spring and summer months. In your own backyard, you may come across baby birds, rabbits, squirrels, raccoons, fawns, and other young wildlife as they make they make their way into the world.

For many people, the pleasure of seeing these young creatures is mixed with a sense of protectiveness—of wanting to help them survive. But spotting a baby animal by himself doesn't necessarily mean he's an orphan. Many wildlife parents leave their young alone during the day, sometimes for long periods. The parent is usually nearby and quite conscious of her young. Also, keep in mind that despite their small size, many young animals are actually independent enough to fend for themselves.

How can you tell if an animal needs your help or should be left alone? Here are some general signs to look for:

• A wild animal presented to you by a cat or dog
• Bleeding
• An apparent or obvious broken limb
• A featherless or nearly featherless bird (nestling) on the ground
• Shivering
• Evidence of a dead parent nearby

If a wild animal exhibits any of the above signs, you should immediately call one of the following local resources for assistance. You will find listings for most of these in your telephone directory.

• Wildlife rehabilitator
• Animal shelter
• Animal control agency
• Wildlife/exotic animals veterinarian
• Nature center
• Wild bird store

Once you've contacted the right person, describe the animal and his physical condition as accurately as possible. Unless directed otherwise, here's how you can make an animal more comfortable for transport or while you're waiting for help to arrive:

• Punch holes, from the inside out, into a cardboard box or other container. A paper bag may be suitable for most songbirds.
• Line the box with an old T-shirt or other soft cloth.
• Put on gloves.
• Use a towel or pillowcase to cover the animal, then scoop him up gently and place him in the container.
• Do not give the animal food or water. He could choke, develop digestive problems, or drown. Many injured animals are in shock, and eating or drinking can make it worse.
• Place the container in a warm, dark, quiet place—away from pets, children, and noise—until you can transport the animal.
• Transport the animal as soon as possible. While in the car, keep the carrier out of the sun and away from direct air conditioning or heat. Keep the car radio off and talking to a minimum.
• Never handle an adult animal without first consulting with a wildlife professional. Even small animals can injure you.

Remember, many animals who appear to be orphaned are not. Unless one or more of the signs mentioned above is present, do not attempt to rescue animals in any of the following circumstances:

• A fawn (baby deer) who is curled up in the grass and appears approachable. His mother is most likely out of sight, but nearby and watching you.
• A bird who is fully feathered on his body with evidence of tail feathers, hopping on the ground, but unable to fly. This is a fledgling (adolescent bird), and his parents are probably nearby.
• A rabbit who is four inches long with open eyes and erect ears. She is independent from her mother and able to fend for herself.
• An opossum who is nine to ten inches or longer, not including the tail. He is independent.
• A squirrel who is nearly full sized, has a full and fluffy tail, and is able to run, jump, and climb. She is independent.

• What To Do When You Find a Baby Bird

The majority of birds do not have a highly developed sense of smell. They will not "smell" a human and reject the nestling if you replace it in the proper nest.

Q. The baby has feathers but can't fly. It must be sick or fallen from the nest, right?

This is not necessarily true. Several species of birds (i.e. jays, towhees, American Robins) continue to care for their young and, in fact, finish the fledgling's education at ground level.

Q. I found a duckling swimming in the pond. I know they need water, so I filled a bathtub and put it in the water and gave it bread. Is this ok?

Downy waterfowl are protected by oil from their mother's oil gland. They do not have the ability to generate this oil on their own. If they are placed in water they cannot get out of, they will eventually become waterlogged and die.

Bread is a common misconception. Adult birds have gravel in their crop that allows bread to be broken down for digestion. Young babies do not have the benefit of gravel and, as a result, the bread will become compacted in their crop. This can cause death.

Q. I brought a baby bird into the house and turned on classical music to soothe it.
Is this ok?

Contrary to popular belief, music does not "soothe the savage beast". Baby birds are wild animals and as such have no experience with, nor need for music. This will, in fact, frighten them and add to their distress.

Now, back to the original question. What do I do with this cute, little baby bird?

1. Determine its age. Does it have feathers?
   If not and you know where the nest is located, replace the hatchling in the nest. The parents will take it from there.

   If it is feathered and not obviously injured (broken wing, leg, etc.), clear all pets and children away from the fledgling and observe it for an hour. Chances are the parents will return for it. They may be waiting until all the hoopla has died down before approaching the youngster.

2. I tried all that, I don't know where the nest is and/or the parents haven't returned. What do I do now?
   Carefully pick up the baby and put it immediately in a small cardboard box or plastic food container large enough for the bird to stand up in or move around a bit. (Try to have the container ready before you pick up the bird; this will reduce stress on the animal.) Use facial tissue, toilet tissue or paper toweling for padding and cover the container LOOSELY with a towel leaving a small gap at the edge for good air circulation. Place the box in a warm, QUIET area of the house and call your local wildlife rehabilitation center (see below) for further instructions. Do not offer the bird food or water until you have spoken with them and avoid peeking at or disturbing the bird.

3. Well, I think this baby I found is a duck. Do I do the same thing?
   Absolutely. Always observe a young waterfowl before picking it up. These birds are doting parents and will respond to a lost offspring. They do know how many babies they have. Because of this, they'll backtrack until they find the errant youngster. If you listen, you'll hear the duckling/gosling calling for its parents.

   If you're sure the duckling/gosling is an orphan, follow the same steps as above. Place it in a padded box/container, covered with a towel, and put it in a warm, QUIET place. You'll want to use a deeper container for ducklings as they will jump. Immediately call your local rehabilitation center for further instructions.

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   Tips on Capturing Wildlife For Transfer to a Rehabilitator

   If you spot an animal, particularly a young or juvenile animal, that appears to be deserted or in difficulty, do not catch it right away. Take 20 minutes or so to observe it's behavior.

   In the case of a young or juvenile animal, it may simply be waiting for a parent to return. Remember, adult animals will often leave their young to hunt for food and truurn within a short period of time to feed/care for the offspring.

   If you believe the animal is injured, call a rehabilitation center near you BEFORE you pick up the animal. Injured wild animals can be dangerous and need special handling. Keep an eye on its whereabouts and describe its condition to the rehabilitator you reach on the phone. They will give you the proper course of action to take for that particular animal.

   If, however, you are unable to reach a rehabilitation center for advice, a good rule of thumb is to wear appropriate clothing and safety equipment. use common sense: if the animal has teeth (like raccoons, opossums), a sharp beak or talons (like hawks), wear gloves and eye protection. Place an injured animal in a covered box (with air holes punched in it), and keep it in a warm, QUIET place. Do not try to administer first aid, offer food or water to the animal, and avoid lifting the lid to check on its condition. The less it sees of you, the less stress it will experience, and the better its chances for recovery will be. Call a rescue/rehabilitation center or, if you're traveling, deliver it to the nearest rehabilitation center, Fish & Wildlife office, or police station. In most cases, these people will be able to direct the animal to an appropriate rehabilitator.

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   Remember, most species of birds are protected and therefore it is not legal to keep them unless you are licensed to do so. Beyond the legalities, these animals require specialized care and diets to grow up healthy and strong. It's important to turn them over to an experienced person as soon as possible.

   In most areas, Wildlife Rehabilitation is governed by Fish & Wildlife or Wild Game agencies. Although some areas do not have established shelters for wild animals, there are rehabilitation individuals who provide home care. Again, Fish & Wildlife offices, humane societies, animal control agenies, and often state or local police will be able to provide you with phone numbers and/or addresses.

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