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Spring is here and wildlife
baby season has begun. From
May through September,
native wildlife - songbirds,
bunnies, deer, squirrels,
hawks, etc., - are busy
preparing nests and
nurturing their young. As
with humans, life doesn't
always go as parents plan.
Storms blow nests from
trees, and people and
animals stumble upon hidden
caches of baby wildlings.
When this occurs, many of us
feel compelled to help. But,
very often, what we think is
helpful is actually harmful.
Wildlife Works, Inc., a
volunteer-based nonprofit
with a facility in
Youngwood, rehabilitates
injured and orphaned
wildlife and educates the
public on how to live in
harmony with wildlife. Beth
Shoaf, a volunteer
rehabilitator licensed by
the PA Game Commission
shares her 14-year insight:
"National statistics show,
and our admissions confirm,
that over 75% of young
animals rescued by
well-intentioned people do
not need help."
WWI receives hundreds of
calls during baby season.
"We're willing to educate
people one-on-one, but we
could be so much more
effective if more people
knew when not to intervene."
Shoaf adds, "For example,
the number one wildlife
rescue myth is that touching
a baby will keep the parent
away. That's simply not
true." To help increase
everyone's awareness, WWI
has comprised the following
list of rescue do's and
don'ts.
Always:
Never:
-
Touch raccoons, skunk,
bats, woodchucks, or
foxes without using
gloves. These species
could be carriers of
rabies. Contact a
wildlife rehabber ASAP
if you find any of these
species in trouble.
Leave Alone If:
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The parent is nearby.
Parents rarely abandon
healthy offspring. It is
natural for some
species, including
rabbits and deer, to
leave their young for
several hours while
foraging for food.
-
The animal is fat,
bright-eyed, appears
healthy and isn't in any
apparent danger. Parent
animals have strong self
preservation instincts.
Observe from a distant
hiding place. Keep
children and animals
away so the reunion can
take place.
Intervene If:
-
A
nest has been blown out
of a tree. Pick it up,
place it in a berry
basket and tie the
basket to the limb of
the tree using heavy
twine, or place in a
crotch of a tree.
-
A
baby has fallen from the
nest. Pick up the baby
and return it to the
nest. Do not handle the
baby a lot since their
bones are fragile. Call
WWI for more advice.
Rescue If:
-
The parent is known
dead, and the baby is
too young to be on its
own.
-
The animal is weak,
thin, cold, or in any
way appears sick.
-
The animal is injured in
any way, or there are
flies or other insects
around the animal.
-
The animal is in obvious
danger, including
problems with other
animals, people, or any
life-threatening
situation.
After Rescue:
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Place the animal in a
secure box equipped with
air holes and a lid. Use
a box that is the right
size - nothing too large
or too small.
-
Provide a clean
ravel-free cloth for the
animal to grasp, and
make certain there is
nothing inside the box
the animal can get
caught in. The box
should be placed in a
warm, dark, and quiet
area until
transportation is
arranged.
-
Do not feed or water the
animal; good intentions
can be fatal to
wildlife.
-
NEVER house or transport
a wild bird in a cage.
The wire will damage
their feathers
complicating
rehabilitation.
Baby season is a very
demanding time for WWI and
volunteers and donations are
especially important at this
time. If you would like to
volunteer or make a donation
to help WWI help local
wildlife, contact WWI at PO
Box 113, Youngwood, PA 15697
or 724-925-6862.
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