Emergency : North America

Wildlife Rescue -- What You Need to Know

Do you have a wild animal in need of assistance? We are here to help. Wild animals require specialized treatment and diets to recover from injuries or to develop into healthy adults so please do not attempt to care for or raise wildlife yourself. Remember, wildlife is often protected by special laws that make it illegal to possess a wild animal without a permit unless you are transporting that animal to a licensed wildlife rehabilitator.

Wildlife Rescue -- What Not to Do

Photo: Beka Weiss. This duck was kept as a pet and fed the wrong diet.

Do NOT attempt to care for wildlife yourself.

Wild animals require specialized treatment and diets to recover from injuries or to develop into healthy adults. The wrong medical care or diet can have deadly effects. Remembers in many parts of the world it is illegal to attempt to care for wildlife without a special permit or license. The most important principle in being a wildlife rescuer: Do No Harm!

Do NOT attempt to keep wildlife as pets.

Wild animals can be cute and cuddly when there are young and adults suffering from trauma can be downright friendly, but that does not make them a good choice to replace your other domestic pets. Wild animals require their natural diet to stay healthy and their outdoor homes to feel secure and to display all of their natural behaviors. To keep a wild animal as a pet is to rob them of their most basic needs. Keep in mind that wild animals can carry a variety of diseases and parasites that can leave you and your family itching or land you in the local emergency room. Leave the wildlife care to those who know how to keep you, your family, and your wild animal happy and healthy.

While the internet might be a great resource to find a new recipe for dinner or find info on domestic pets it is a venerable jungle when it comes to advice for wildlife. And jungles contain some dangerous things. So if you are inclined to hit the internet for help with a wildlife situation here are three things you should look for before you opt to take any sites advice.

Diet Recipes Beware: If a site recommends feeding the wild animal think twice about taking their advice. Most internet recipes contain items bought at the local grocery or pet store that can cause severe digestive upset in the short term and major nutritional deficiency if used long term. If the site recommends anything other than offering a shallow dish of water or a human infant electrolyte solution steer clear.

Licenses Please: Look for a list of credentials, permits or licenses. If none are listed take caution.

Contact Us: Most reliable wildlife rehabilitation facilities will let you know right up front how to contact them and when and where to take your wild animal in need. If no contact info is listed then say no to their advice.

If a bird hits your window and is unable to fly away, place it in a box or paper bag with air holes and put it in a warm, dark, quiet place for one to two hours. If it is unable to fly away within two hours, take it to the nearest wildlife rehabilitator (US) (Canada and Mexico). for medical care.

Baby Songbird Rescue

In many situations young birds need only a little help or no help at all. Contrary to popular belief, parents will not reject their babies if humans have touched them.

Nestlings

Nestlings are young birds with only downy feathers. If they are found on the ground and are not injured they can be returned to the nest from which they fell or a surrogate nest can be created.

Fledglings

Fledglings are young birds just learning to fly and they spend a lot of time on the ground. These birds are still protected and fed by their parents and do not need to be rescued unless they have been injured. If you find a fledgling in your yard, protect him by keeping pets away and encouraging children to watch from a distance. Return to Top

How to Make a Surrogate Nest

Find a container such as a small box or plastic container with holes punched in the bottom.

Fill the container with leaves, paper towels or a clean, soft cloth.

Place the nest in the tree or bush closest to where the bird was found, out of the sun and rain, as high up as you can safely manage.

Duck or Goose Rescue

Unlike songbirds, ducks and geese leave the nest almost immediately after birth, and follow mom closely. They already know how to find their own food, but still need their families. Mom doesn’t feed them, but does provide them with valuable warmth, leads them to safe places and food sources, and protects them from danger. Baby ducks and geese can go in water briefly, but because their feathers are not yet waterproof, they can quickly become hypothermic (chilled) if they remain in the water more than a few minutes. Mom takes care of that, too. If you find a baby duck or goose, it is almost certainly just separated from its family.

If the baby is separated from the mother and you know where she is, place the baby close to the flock so she can hear the baby and then watch from a distance.

If the baby joins the flock and the mother does not reject him, leave the area, the baby is fine.

If the baby is rejected, or if the mother cannot be found, call a wildlife rehabilitator (US) (Canada and Mexico).

Baby Rabbit

Baby rabbits spend most of their time alone in the nest without the mother rabbit. The mother rabbit only visits the nest at dusk and dawn.

If the rabbit is injured (bleeding, broken bones, puncture wounds, or has been in a cat’s mouth), or appears thin and weak, with wrinkly baggy skin, call a wildlife rehabilitator (US) (Canada and Mexico).

If you find a healthy baby rabbit and the nest is still intact, place the baby(ies) back into the nest and cover with twigs or leaves. The nest will be a shallow depression in the ground, lined with fur.

If the baby rabbits are at least 4-5 inches long, able to hop, have their eyes open and ears up, they are old enough to be on their own.

Baby Squirrel

Storms and chain saws can often knock baby tree squirrels to the ground. Some are injured in the fall, others are just dazed and scared, but all need to get back with mom.

If the squirrel is injured (bleeding, broken bones, puncture wounds, or has been in a cat’s mouth), or appears thin and weak, with wrinkly baggy skin, call a wildlife rehabilitator (US) (Canada and Mexico)

If the tree has been cut down, or fallen in a storm, or if the nest is lying on the ground, call a wildlife rehabilitator (US) (Canada and Mexico).

If it is still pink and furless, or can’t climb, attempt to reunite the squirrel with mom. Put the baby in a small open box at the base of the tree, and give mom several hours to fetch it. If the baby is still in the box at the end of the day, call a wildlife rehabilitator (US) (Canada and Mexico). Be sure to keep cats and dogs away from the area until the rescue is complete.

If the squirrel appears uninjured, and has a full coat of fur, then place the squirrel as high as you can safely reach in the tree and allow it to return to its nest or be retrieved by mom.

Virginia Opossum

Opossums spend their first two months in mom’s pouch, and the next two months close to mom — often on her back. During these first 4 months, they depend on mom.

If the opossum is injured (bleeding, broken bones, puncture wounds, or has been in a cat’s mouth), or appears thin and weak, with wrinkly baggy skin, call a wildlife rehabilitator (US) (Canada and Mexico)

If the baby is less than 8 inches from tip of the nose to base of the tail, or weights less than 7.25 ounces, it needs its mom. If she is not in the immediate area, call a wildlife rehabilitator (US) (Canada and Mexico)

If the baby is about 8 inches from tip of the nose to base of the tail, then it is independent and on its own.