Many people call wildlife rescues asking for help rescuing or relocating cottontail rabbits found in their yards. While it’s wonderful that so many people want to protect wild bunnies, the best way to keep them safe is to simply leave them exactly where they are. Cottontail mothers are not particularly attentive, and only come toContinue reading “Can I Move Wild Baby Rabbits?”
Tag Archives: wildlife rescue
When is a Cottontail Independent?
Mother cottontails only feed their babies twice a day, and a rarely seen. But, even if a baby cottontail is definitely orphaned, it does not necessarily need help. Once a bunny is the size of a softball, it no longer needs its mother’s care and shouldn’t be captured or “rescued.” Cottontail rabbits are extremely sensitiveContinue reading “When is a Cottontail Independent?”
Fledglings Don’t Need Help
Especially in the spring and summer, you’re likely to see a baby bird awkwardly hobbling on the ground, barely able to fly, possibly crying for its mother. It’s understandable that many well-meaning people mistake these babies for orphans. They are actually doing just fine and are under their parents’ care! If a bird has feathersContinue reading “Fledglings Don’t Need Help”
To Fake a Broken Wing
It’s certainly understandable if you mistake this for a bird with a broken wing. This superb acting has been fooling would-be predators for millennia, and humans are no exception. But there’s no need to rush to call a wildlife rehabilitator. Chances are, this bird is actually just fine. This is a mother killdeer. Killdeers liveContinue reading “To Fake a Broken Wing”
I found a baby skunk! What now?
You look out your window and see a litter of skunk kits running around with no parent to be seen. What’s next? Kits without their mother aren’t necessarily orphaned or injured. However, unlike some animals, skunks are typically attentive parents who don’t leave their babies unattended for very long. If you wait about three hoursContinue reading “I found a baby skunk! What now?”
How Do Cactus Bucks Happen?
Deer like this are a rare sight, but have been spotted almost everywhere in the United States, and in almost every species of deer. These cactus bucks, as they’re called stand out because of their bizarre, deformed antlers covered in irregular growths. A cactus buck’s irregular antlers develop due to low testosterone levels, which causeContinue reading “How Do Cactus Bucks Happen?”
Don’t Kidnap Fox Kits!
Red fox parents work around the clock to find food for themselves and their kits. Because of this, a litter of fox kits might be left alone for several hours at a time while their parents are away. If you find a baby fox, or a whole litter of them, the best way to helpContinue reading “Don’t Kidnap Fox Kits!”
Capture Myopathy: The Risks of Picking Up Wildlife
Wild animals— particularly rabbits, fawns, and birds— are prone to a condition called capture myopathy. This is a complex disorder that results from the stress of being chased, captured, or even simply held by a human being. Although there are usually no signs of disease or injury, these animals simply die. Please: never capture orContinue reading “Capture Myopathy: The Risks of Picking Up Wildlife”
Why Won’t Rehabbers Answer Me?
It’s terrifying to have a wild animal in need of help, but to be unable to reach someone who can provide the care it needs. It’s no wonder that people sometimes get frustrated and even infuriated with wildlife rehabilitators, who might take hours or even days to return a phone call. Many people envision wildlifeContinue reading “Why Won’t Rehabbers Answer Me?”
Found a Baby Bird? Don’t Feed It!
Found a baby bird on the ground? Your first impulse is probably to feed it, especially if it’s gaping and crying out in hunger. But this is one of the worst things you can do. Feeding a baby that is dehydrated or hypothermic can make it extremely sick. So can incorrect foods for its ageContinue reading “Found a Baby Bird? Don’t Feed It!”
For Fox Sake Wildlife Rescue 