There is nothing more adorable than
a baby animal. They are so helpless and trusting of humans.
It is hard to dissociate that orphaned mammals are in fact
wild and will grow up to be very self-reliant with the appropriate
care.
It is highly discouraged that an untrained person attempt
to hand raise an orphaned wild animal without a wildlife rehabilitation
license. Not only is it a bad idea, but also it is illegal.
An orphaned wild animal should always be taken to a wildlife
rehabilitation center where it can be hand-raised by a trained
professional, socialized with members of the same species
and ultimately released back into the wild.
It is always best to contact a knowledgeable professional
prior to handling wildlife in order to make sure the animal
truly needs care. Handling should only be done with leather
gloves to prevent scratches.
SQUIRRELS
Squirrels are very inquisitive animals. Even as babies they
are bound to get themselves into trouble. Orphaned squirrels
are very often found on the ground. Weaned squirrels are often
on the ground learning to find food and are usually fine if
left on their own. Weaning squirrels are almost the same size
as the adult. Some have had harsh falls from the nest causing
severe bruises to the chest and abdomen as well as possible
broken bones and internal injuries. If you find a baby squirrel
on the ground there are a couple of things that you can do:
- If the nest is within reach, you can put the baby back.
Squirrel nests are usually located in a hole of a tree
trunk or appear as a tight ball of leaves resting in the
fork of a large branch.
- If the nest cannot be reached or located, you can scoop
the baby up and bring it to your nearest wildlife rehabilitation
center as soon as possible. Mother squirrels feed their
babies several times around the clock. Pinkies (newborns)
can eat as often as every hour. If you cannot get to a
wildlife rehabilitation center within hours there are
a couple of things that you can do to keep the baby stable.
- Keep the baby in a warm, safe and soft place. Wear
gloves when handling.
- Get to your local pet shop and pick up either ESPILAC
or KMR formula. Never offer a wild animal any milk products.
With a small eyedropper, offer lukewarm formula to the
squirrel. Let them eat as much as they can, as it is
important to keep the baby well hydrated.
- Do not allow children to handle wild animals.
- Get the orphan to a wildlife rehabilitation center
as soon as possible!
BUNNIES
With the exception of predation or the confirmed death of
a parent, baby bunnies are very rarely orphaned. It is common
to come across a helpless and possibly blind baby bunny right
in your own back yard. The best thing to do is to LEAVE IT
ALONE. The mother rabbit makes multiple nests; one for herself
and a couple in various locations for her babies. This tactic
of spreading out decreases the risk of predation.
The nests appear as very shallow burrows in the dirt and are
covered with grass, leaves and the mother rabbit's own fur.
The mother rabbit goes to each of her nests throughout the
night to feed and groom her babies. This explains why we never
see a mother rabbit with her babies and assume that the babies
are orphaned.
More often than not, they are fine where they are and should
be left alone. However, if you come across an injured rabbit
or if one has been "retrieved" by your dog or cat, bring it
to your nearest wildlife rehabilitation center immediately.
To keep the baby stable you can:
- Keep the baby in a warm, safe and soft place.
- Avoid unnecessary handling. If handling is necessary,
wear gloves and never allow children to handle wild bunnies.
- Avoid feeding the baby. Bunnies do not suckle from an
artificial nipple very well and they need to be fed with
a stomach tube in a rehabilitation setting. Only trained
personnel can successfully feed an orphaned rabbit.
- Get the orphan to a wildlife rehabilitation center as
soon as possible!
OPOSSUM
Opossum are the only marsupials in North America. Being marsupials,
mother opossum carry their young in a pouch located on their
belly. Even in this ideal rearing environment, opossum can
still become orphaned. There are two common scenarios that
may occur.
- At two months of age, the babies crawl out of the pouch
and cling to their mother's back. Sadly, the babies can
lose their grip and be left behind. If you come across
a baby opossum you can:
- Keep the baby in a warm, safe and soft place.
- Avoid unnecessary handling. If handling is necessary,
wear gloves and never allow children to handle wild
bunnies. <------------?
- Avoid feeding the baby. Opossum do not suckle from
an artificial nipple very well and they need to be fed
with a stomach tube in a rehabilitation setting. Only
trained personnel can successfully feed an orphaned
opossum.
- Get the orphan to a wildlife rehabilitation center
as soon as possible!
- The mother could be killed. It is common to see a dead
opossum on the side of the road that has been hit by a
car. Even though the mother is dead, the babies in her
protected pouch are almost always alive. In the event
that you come across a dead opossum it is a good idea
to peek at her belly.
If you suspect that there may be babies inside, you should
bring the body to a wildlife rehabilitation center as
soon as possible. It is not a good idea to remove the
babies from the mother yourself.
RACCOONS AND SKUNKS
Raccoon and skunk mothers are very protective of their babies.
If you come across a raccoon or skunk baby at night, chances
are that the mother is lurking nearby. If you come across
a baby that is injured or that has wandered off during the
day, then you can bring the baby to your nearest wildlife
rehabilitation center as soon as possible. Use extreme caution
when transporting raccoon and skunk babies. It is best if
trained professionals transport these mammals. Raccoon and
skunks are the most common rabies vectors in the state.
Although mothers cannot transmit rabies to their young through
the placenta, the babies are still capable of picking up the
virus through a bite wound. Raccoons and skunk also carry
a roundworm called Baylisascaris Procyonis in their feces.
This roundworm can be fatal to humans. If you need to bring
an orphan to a wildlife rehabilitation center, you should:
- Keep the baby in a warm, safe and soft place.
- Use extreme caution and avoid unnecessary handling.
If handling becomes necessary, use heavy gloves.
- Avoid feeding the baby. Raccoons and skunks do not suckle
from an artificial nipple very well and they need to be
fed with a stomach tube in a rehabilitation setting. Only
trained personnel can successfully feed an orphaned raccoon
or skunk.
- Get the orphan to a wildlife rehabilitation center as
soon as possible!
- If you do not feel comfortable about handling an orphaned
raccoon or skunk, you can contact your local animal control
officer or local animal rescue league to transport the
baby to a wildlife rehabilitation center.
DEER
It is not recommended to rescue an orphaned deer fawn. It is possible that mother is lurking near by and can cause substantial bodily harm to a human. If you come across a truly orphaned deer fawn, please contact the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife at http://www.mass.gov/dfwele/dfw/dfwifucare.htm#FAWNS or the Massachusetts Environmental Police at http://www.mass.gov/dfwele/dle/.
MICE AND SMALL RODENTS
Mice are another species that are very rarely orphaned. Very
commonly, a mouse nest is disturbed and mother flees the scene,
leaving her babies behind. If this happens, just leave the
babies alone! The mother mouse will come back and move her
babies to safer location. |
