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Everyday people find injured or orphaned wild animals. You never know when that might happen to you.
You may find a fallen nest of baby birds, a squirrel fallen from a tree, or a small mammal taken away from it’s
home by another animal. If you see an animal that seems orphaned or abandoned, stand back and watch from
a distance or leave and come back later to see if their parent has returned. Often a wild mammal mother will be off feeding
for four or more hours. If you find a nest of bunnies, chances are their mom is hiding nearby watching
your every move. If you will leave the nest alone (or cover it back up if it's been disturbed), the mother rabbit will
return that night to take care of her babies. Lots of baby animals are rescued unnecessarily. Be sure they really need your
help before you try to rescue them.
Here is what you can do…
1. Put the animal in a secured, covered box with a soft cloth lining the bottom.
Set the box halfway on a heating pad set on low.
2. Put
the box in a dark, quiet place away from pets and noise.
3. Do not handle the animal any more than necessary.
When something tries to pick them up in the wild it is usually because they are being hunted, so they do not liked
to be picked up. Just by peeking in the box can cause the animal to become very stressed and can even die.
4. Do not feed the animal. Forcing
and animal to eat or drink can be extremely dangerous. The wrong food, like cows milk, can make an animal
very sick. If they do survive eating the wrong food they may not grow up very healthy and have many problems
when they are older.
5. Call a wildlife care member or an animal clinic, as soon as possible.
6. Transport them as quickly and quietly
as possible for a safe and successful rescue.
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Here
are some other tips to help you…
1.
With bunnies, and many other animals, the mother only spends a few minutes at the nest
to feed her babies, which is usually at dusk and dawn, so you may never see her.
2. As
fast as they are, it is very common for at rabbit, and other small animals, to get caught by dogs and cats. Even
if the wild animals do not seem injured, the bacteria from your pet’s mouth can make them very sick. The
animal should be taken to a wildlife expert or veterinarian as soon as possible for antibiotics.
3. It is very tempting to keep these little creatures as pets.
Please remember that it is unfair to that animal to take it away from the home it was meant to have. Unless you are
licensed, it is also illegal.
4.
If an animal is kept too long it looses its fear of humans and will have a difficult time surviving in the wild. Please
do not release a tame animal into the wild.
5.
If an animal is making a home in your attic, basement, or garage, call a wildlife expert for advice. Even
some professional companies will move the animal, but they do not always think about any babies left behind. A wildlife expert can give you advice on how to make the area uninviting for
that animal.
The best thing you can do for a wild orphaned baby bunny is to get in touch with a skilled
rehabilitator. Here is a directory of local rehabilitators that you can find in your area.
The Wildlife Rehabilitation Information Directory\\
International Wildlife Rehabilitation Council http://www.iwrc-online.org/ http://www.wildlifecare.com/ link for rehabber in your area.
http://www.wwf.org
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