This
series of pages has been compiled to assist people that
receive calls about distressed wildlife. The information
compiled was primarily designed to help determine if an
injured or baby animal needs attention and what to do
once it is determined that an animal needs help.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Under game commission
regulations, it is illegal for an unlicensed individual
to possess a native wild animal. For more information
contact Walden's Puddle Wildlife Rehabilitation Center at (615) 299-9938
or Harmony Wildlife Rehabilitation Center in Fairview, TN at (615)
799-8712.
It
is important to contact the proper authorities as soon as
possible for assistance, such as a wildlife rehabilitator
or the Game Commission. Not just because it is illegal to
possess a wild animal, but because many animals need
attention immediately.
What
is Wildlife Rehabilitation All About?
CONTENTS
MAMMALS
Rabbits
A young rabbit
is on it's own if the fur is fluffy, the ears are
standing, and it is the size of a man's fist or tennis
ball. In some cases it can be put back where you found
it. If it was brought in by a dog or a cat, it is
probably injured (although it may not appear to be) and
needs special attention. Although possible, rabbits are
an unlikely carrier of rabies.
Moving a Rabbit Nest
It is not
recommended to move a rabbit nest. There has been minimal
success with moving a nest and the mother finding it. If
you can wait usually 1-2 weeks, the babies will be gone
and you can continue with your plans. If you must move
the nest, try to place it close to the original spot.
If A Rabbit Nest is Disturbed or
Moved
Replace all of the fur inside the nest and cover
the nest well with dry grass. The mother may return to
care for her young. If a baby is placed back in a nest,
touch all the babies so they all smell the same. The
mother will not reject the babies if you handle them.
There has been good success with placing rabbits back in
the nest and the mother returning later and taking care
of her young.
Monitoring a disturbed or moved
rabbit nest
Before moving
the babies from the nest, check to see if the mother
rabbit returns. Chances are you won't actually see the
mother returning because she usually feeds her babies
during the NIGHT. Check the babies bellies before and
after an evening has past. Their bellies should be full
in the morning. Also, place a couple strands of string
over the nest in an "X" pattern to see if the
nest was disturbed. These are indications that the mother
was there. If at all possible, it is best to let the
mother rabbit raise her babies. Rabbits are hard to
raise!
Adult rabbits
If you can get
near one, something is wrong. Use only the box method for
catching and transporting.
Baby
Raccoons, Skunks, and
Foxes
These babies
often play in the woods under their mothers care. Before
disturbing them, observe from a distance to see if the
mother is indeed watching over them. It's best to leave
them alone unless there is an obvious problem. If the
mother has been killed, the babies may wander out of the
den because they are hungry. They may be crying, look
weak or sickly. In this case, the babies need attention.
Don't pick these animals up with your bare hands because
of the concern of rabies. These animals are the most
common carriers of rabies! THOUGH there hasn't been a
reported case of rabies in raccoons in the St. Louis
Missouri area for a long time. Thank God for the Missouri
river which serves to protect and isolate our St. Louis
raccoons from the rabies infested ones over in Illinois.
You should still be careful though because if you get
bit, the animal will have to be destroyed in order to
test it for rabies!!!
Adult Raccoons, Skunks, and Foxes
These animals
are very dangerous and should only be handled by
professionals. It is recommended to call either a
wildlife rehabilitator or animal control for assistance.
There is also an epidemic of distemper running rampant in
St. Louis Missouri so these animals are the most likely
to be ill with it. It's not contagious to humans, however
there is no cure for it and the sick animals will have to
be euthanized to prevent pain and suffering and to keep
them from infecting other healthy area wildlife. If you
see an adult which appears sick, disoriented, or is
having seizures, call your local animal control or
wildlife rehabilitation center.
Squirrels
If an immature juvenile squirrel approaches or follows you, it's mother
has most likely been killed and it may have gone
wandering from it's nest looking for it's mother. These
squirrels are generally starving and malnourished and
need attention. If a baby (eyes closed) is found on the
ground, it may have fallen from a nest (especially if
there has been a recent storm) and most likely has a
concussion. Check the baby for injuries. If apparently
injured, take it to your local wildlife rehabilitation
center immediately. If there are NO apparent injuries,
place the baby in a small plastic bowl with several holes
punched in the bottom. Line the bowl with leaves or grass
and place it about 5 feet off the ground in the lower
branches of the tree closest to where the squirrel was
found. You can also nail the bowl to the tree's trunk.
Don't feed the baby. Monitor the bowl during the daylight
hours. If the mother doesn't retrieve the baby by sunset
then take the baby to your nearest wildlife
rehabilitation center. These animals are unlikely
carriers of rabies.
Chipmunks
It is very
unusual to find a baby. If one is found, it probably
needs special attention. If the mother is killed, the
babies may wander out of the nest because they are
hungry. These animals are unlikely carriers of rabies.
Groundhogs
It is very
unusual to find a baby. If one is found, it probably
needs special attention. If the mother is killed, the
babies may wander out of the burrow because they are
hungry. Sometimes, the babies are washed out of the
burrow during a rain storm. Although rare, these animals
have been found to carry rabies.
Opossums
These animals
are on their own when they are about 8-10 inches long
(not including the tail.) If one is found smaller than
8-10 inches, it needs attention. The mother opossum
carries her babies on her body and if startled or
attacked, one or more babies may be dislodged and left
behind when the mother flees. The mother opossum will
never realize that she is missing a baby. Therefore it is
imperative that baby opossums be brought to a wildlife
rehabilitation center immediately. The mother isn't
coming back for them. Don't wait. Baby opossums which are
alone may make a distressed "clicking" noise.
Check the area for other babies by listening for the
clicking sound and examining the ground well. Keep the
babies warm with a hot water bottle or a heating pad set
on LOW until you can get them into a rehabilitation
facility. Orphans are often found looking for food near a
dead mother, especially alongside roads. If you see a
dead (intact) opossum by the side of a road, stop and
check it for babies. Baby opossums can survive on a dead
mother's body for about 48 hours. You can detach the
babies from the nipples or you can just put the body in a
box and bring it and the babies to a wildlife
rehabilitator. Opossums rarely contract rabies because of
their low body temperature.
Bats
Bat pups are
usually found in July and early August. Many times bat
pups will fall out of trees or housing during a storm.
Also, bat pups are found in buildings when they have
wandered from the colony. Babies that are furred look
very much like the adults except they are smaller, and do
not fly well. These babies need assistance. Don't pick
these animals up with your bare hands because of the
concern of rabies. Bats are a known carrier of rabies.
Adult bats can not take off from the ground but must be
hung from a tree or building. A grounded bat can often be
made to crawl onto a towel which can be draped from a
fence or tree limb so the animal can fly off.
Adult Bats
Bats found
inside the house other than in July are not babies and
can sometimes be released directly outside. Please call a
rehabber for assistance when there are bats found inside
the house, especially in the dead of winter, to determine
if the bat can be released or needs attention. Don't pick
these animals up with your bare hands because of the
concern of rabies. Bats are a known carrier of rabies.
Bear and
Bobcats
These animals
can be very dangerous and should only be handled by
professionals. It is recommended to call the Game
Commission for assistance. Even babies can be dangerous.
If the babies are newborn or they don't have their eyes
open, they can be taken directly to a rehabilitator if it
is certain the mother is not returning. Otherwise, it is
best to call the Game Commission. They are much better
equipped to handle these animals and take them to the
proper facility.
Deer
Fawns are often
found lying quietly in a field. If you find one and it is
not crying, leave it there and check back in 12-24 hours.
If one follows you, take it back to where it first saw
you and leave as quickly as you can to prevent it from
following after you. Check the same again again in 12-24
hours. If it is injured or crying, then it needs special
attention.
BIRDS
The statement, "if you
handle baby birds, the mother will reject them" is NOT
TRUE!
Feathered song birds or
fledglings
Baby birds are
often seen fully feathered but trying to fly, with the
parents nearby. These are fledglings. If they look bright
and alert, it is best to leave them alone. If possible,
keep cats and dogs away from the area for a few days in
which time the birds will learn to fly. The parents will
continue to care for them even though they are on the
ground. If you are not sure the parents are nearby and
you are concerned, you may put the bird in a nearby bush
or on a tree branch and observe from inside the house for
a few hours. If the mother sees you in the yard she will
not come near.
Nestling song birds
(partially feathered)
If the baby
bird is bright, alert, and opening it's mouth for food,
you can put it back in the nest. If it is not gaping
(opening it's mouth for food) or is cold, it may need
special attention. In addition, if a bird is injured, it
needs help and cannot be placed back in the nest. Birds
that are cat caught are assumed to be injured although
they may not appear to be. If a bird is featherless, it
needs heat. Holding a featherless baby bird in your hand
will warm it effectively (SEE DOS AND
DON'TS)
Since
some baby birds need to eat every 1/2 hour or so, it is
important to contact a rehabilitator as soon as possible
for instructions if it cannot be put back in the nest or
the mother is gone.
Pigeons and Doves
If baby doves
are found on the ground, it is usually difficult to find
the nest to put them back. Doves make very poor nests
which get blown down easily. Pigeons usually don't make
nests. Juvenile pigeons are fully feathered and very
docile, and rely on their parents for a long time. If
you're not sure the bird needs attention, call a rehabilitator.
Adult birds
If an adult
bird can be caught, probably something is wrong and it
needs help.
Walden's
Puddle Joelton,
Tennessee
Specializes in treating wild orphaned or injured WATERFOWL, SONGBIRDS
and RAPTORs. (as well as all other native Tennessee wildlife like rabbits,
opossums, squirrels, raccoons and turtles) If you are local to this area, call (615) 299-9938.
Harmony
Wildlife Fairview,
Tennessee
Specializes in treating wild orphaned or injured
WATERFOWL, SONGBIRDS and RAPTORS (as well as all other native Tennessee wildlife
like rabbits, squirrels, opossums, foxes and deer) If you are local to this area, call (615) 799-8712.
What to Do if you Find a
Baby Bird. Quick Info
Guide.
CATCHING AN ANIMAL
Birds
Small song
birds can sometimes just be picked up, but occasionally,
one cannot. A very effective carrying case for
"small birds" is a cardboard box or a paper bag
with paper towels on the bottom and the top folded down.
For hard to catch birds or larger birds, use a box or a
sheet to throw over the bird. If catching a raptor or a
bird or prey, use leather gloves in addition to a towel
or sheet to protect yourself from the bird's talons. If a
sheet or towel is used, place the bird in a cardboard
box, then unwrap the bird as soon as possible so the bird
doesn't overheat. Do not keep a bird of any kind wrapped
in a blanket or any type of material for long periods of
time. Birds can overheat very easily and die from being
wrapped up too long, especially in warm weather. In
addition, do not hold an adult bird in your hands for any
longer than necessary. They can also overheat in your
hands. If a box is used to catch an animal, slide a piece
of cardboard underneath the box to contain the animal,
being careful not to injure the animal in the process.
Use extreme caution when using a net with birds, because
it may damage the feathers. It is not recommended to put
wild birds in wire cages because they may damage their
feathers.
Mammals
It is
recommended not to pick up any baby mammals with your
bare hands with the exception of rabbits which should be
placed directly into a cardboard box. Mammals can be
caught by carefully throwing a box or a sheet over the
animal. The sheet can be brought up around the animal and
tied together to contain the animal for transport if a
box is not handy to place it in. Or the animal and the
sheet can be placed directly inside a cardboard box. If
the box method is used (box is thrown over the animal),
slide a piece of cardboard underneath the box to contain
the animal, being careful not to injure the animal in the
process. The box method is recommended for adult mammals
to prevent from being bitten; however, proceed with
caution. If the animal is unable to move or shows signs
of injury, use the box method. Keep the animal as still
as possible while moving it. It is recommended to call a
professional to catch injured adult mammals because they
can be dangerous. Use only the box method for adult
rabbits. Adult rabbits will sometimes kick frantically
when handled, even when they are seriously injured, and
can break their backs in the process. Nets can also be
used to catch mammals. It is not recommended to pick up
any mammal, especially adults, with your bare hands. They
may bite out of fear. Bats should never be picked up with
bare hands. Use gloves to pick up the bat or scoop it
into a cottage cheese container or a shoe box. Put the
container or box under the bat and gently scoop the bat
into the container with the lid. Poke very small holes
into the box lid with a pencil. Please remember that some
bats can squeeze through a 1/2" space.
 Once
the animal has been contained, ***DO NOT
HANDLE IT***
Do's and Don'ts of
Transporting
 DO: Place the animal
in a secure cardboard box with small holes placed
in the side or lid. The box should be just big
enough for the animal to stand and turn around,
to prevent the animal from thrashing around and
hurting itself. Place paper towels or a soft
cloth on the bottom of the box. DO: Keep the box in a
warm, quiet, dark place, away from family pets.
Many times wild animals are in shock and at the
very least scared. The best thing to do is to
keep them warm and quiet until they get help.
DO: If the animal is
injured, cold, or featherless/hairless, put a
heating pad on LOW under half of the box, with a
folded towel in between the heating pad and the
box. Small creatures that cannot move need to be
checked to see that they do not get too hot. Call
a rehabber for guidance if you're not sure this
is necessary.
DO: Try to get an
animal help as soon as possible. Some birds need
to eat every 1/2 hour. If you cannot get an
animal help in 2 hours, call a rehabilitator.
 DON'T: Keep peeking at
the animal or handling the animal. The more you
look at an animal or handle it, the more you
stress the animal and reduce its chance of
survival. Resist the temptation to put an animal
inside your shirt. Cute little squirrels are
notorious for being covered with fleas.
DON'T: Put green grass
under an animal. It takes the heat out of them.
Drying grass can be toxic to rabbits.
DON'T: Give any animal
anything to eat or drink, especially cows milk.
Baby birds can't digest milk and may die. Many
baby mammals are lactose intolerant and may
develop diarrhea.
DON'T: Handle raccoons,
skunks, fox, or bats. If anyone gets bitten,
scratched, or licked (hence, possibly exposed to
rabies), that person may need to get expensive
rabies shots. In addition, the animal is at risk
of being euthanized to be tested for rabies.
For
your sake and the animals please contact a
wildlife rehabilitator ASAP.
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