Hi, hello. Happy Sunday! Warm weather is approaching (HELLO 70 degree weather we had today in Denver!) This means more time being spent outside, which I love. And this also brings me to my post today – how you can save animals this spring. If you know me, you know that I love animals. It doesn’t matter if they are wild animals or pets. I love them all!
There are a variety of animals born in the spring. Nesting birds, baby bunnies, baby deer, baby raccoons, baby goats, baby otters, baby skunks, baby chipmunks, baby foxes, baby porcupines, baby beavers, and baby swans to name a handful.
Animals are also coming out of hibernation. Hedgehogs, bears, hummingbirds, ground hogs, and bats seem to be the most common. Sometimes baby animals need our help if they are too young to fend for themselves or too injured. I’ve complied a small list about how you can help animals in need.
+ If the animal is bleeding + the parent is nearby but dead + the animal is crying out or wandering around + if a bird is without feathers and on the ground + there’s an apparent broken limb.
The most important thing is to know where the nearest wildlife rehabilitation centers are near you. Wildlife rehabilitation is when a wild animal is taken in who is sick, injured, or orphaned. The main goal is to be able to nurture the animal back to health and release the wild animal back into its natural habitat. If you ever come across a wild animal who looks as if they need help, you can contact the nearest rehabilitator. If you’re unable or not near a rehabilitator, try contacting a nearby animal shelter, the local humane society, animal control agency, or nearest nature center.
If you feel as though you need to step in to help an animal in need, take precautionary measures that are safe when capturing the animal. Only capture an animal if you have the necessary items like a safe crate of cardboard box, a blanket to put over the animal to keep them calm, and thick gloves. Only handle adult wild animals after you have spoken to a wildlife professional.
Baby Birds: if you come across a bird on the ground that is featherless, it means the bird is a baby and has most likely fell from its nest. If possible, place the bird back in the nest, as long as it looks to be unharmed.
Baby Rabbits: if their eyes are open, their ears are erect, and they are hopping around, then they can left alone, they don’t need any sort of assistance, unless they look injured. Also, baby rabbits who are in a nest that looks to be intact, can be left alone. If the nest does not look intact, you can cover it back up with gross or leaves but don’t touch the baby bunnies.
Baby Squirrels: it’s safe to intervene if a squirrel falls from their nest or if a nest falls from a tree and it’s been longer than a day (you want to give the momma squirrel a chance to move her babies or the nest). If a baby squirrel is following people around, that means their mom is most likely gone. If that is the case, then call a rehabilitator.
Baby Deer: often you will see fawns lying down, sleeping. That doesn’t mean they’re orphaned. The momma is always close by keeping watch over her fawn.
Baby Opossums: a baby opossum that is smaller than about seven inches, this doesn’t include the tail, are too young to be on their own and will need help and rehabilitation to learn how to live on their own.
Baby Raccoon: if you come across a baby raccoon, leave it be, unless it’s been alone for more than few hours. This means the baby is most likely orphaned. Or wait until nighttime to see if the momma will come back to get her baby, since raccoons are nocturnal. If the momma doesn’t come back for her baby, then you’ll want to call a wildlife rehabilitator.
Always remember to never handle a wild animal unless you’ve taken the correct precautionary measures. If you aren’t comfortable handling a wild animal, then don’t do it. But what you can do is try to find someone who is able to handle a wild animal like a rehabilitator. It’s also always good to do your own research too.
Check out my most recent post here!
xx, Aubrianna