WILDLIFE
REFERENCE SHEET
Compiled
by Robyn Graboski - Wildlife Rehabilitator
Centre Wildlife Care
This reference sheet was compiled to assist people that receive
calls about distressed wildlife. The information compiled was primarily
designed to help determine if a baby animal or bird needs attention during
"the baby season", and what to do once it is determined an animal or
bird needs help.
UNDER PA GAME COMMISSION REGULATIONS AND THE U.S. DEPT. OF THE
INTERIOR, FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE, IT IS ILLEGAL FOR AN UNLICENSED INDIVIDUAL
TO POSSESS A NATIVE WILD ANIMAL.
It is
important to contact the proper authorities, such as a wildlife rehabilitator
or the Game Commission, as soon as possible for assistance. Not just because it
is illegal to possess a wild animal, but because many animals need attention
immediately.
Call for
quicker response (Don't e-mail) CWC @ 814-692-0004
Pennsylvania Licensed Rehabilitators | How To Locate a Wildlife
Rehabilitator in other locations
MAMMALS
Baby Rabbits:
A young rabbit is on it's
own if the fur is fluffy, the ears are standing, and it is the size of a man's
fist. In some cases it can be put back where you found it. If it was brought in
by a dog or a cat, it is probably injured (although it may not appear to be)
and needs to have special medical attention. Although possible, rabbits are
unlikely to contract rabies.
Moving a Rabbit Nest:
Moving a rabbit's nest is
not recommended. There has been minimal success with moving a nest and the
mother finding it. If you can wait 1-2 weeks, the babies will usually be gone
and you can continue with your plans. If you must move the nest, try to place
it close to the original spot.
If A Rabbit Nest is Disturbed or Moved:
Replace all of the fur
inside the nest and cover the nest well with dry grass. The mother may return
to care for her young. If a baby is placed back in a nest, touch all the babies
so they all smell the same. The mother will not reject the babies if you handle
them. There has been good success with placing rabbits back in the nest and the
mother returning later and taking care of her young.
Monitoring a disturbed or moved rabbit
nest:
Before moving the babies
from the nest, check to see if the mother rabbit returns. Chances are you won't
actually see the mother returning because she usually feeds her babies during
the night. Check the baby's bellies before and after an evening has past. Their
bellies should be full in the morning. Also, place a couple strands of string
over the nest to see if the nest was disturbed. These are indications that the
mother was there. If at all possible, it is best to let the mother rabbit raise
her babies. Rabbits are hard to raise!
Adult Rabbits:
If you can get near an
adult rabbit, something is wrong. Use a net, box method or sheet method or for
catching and transporting adult rabbits. Adult rabbits sometimes kick
frantically when handled, even when they are seriously injured, and can break
their backs in the process.
Baby Raccoons and Foxes (Rabies vectors in
PA):
These babies often play
in the woods under their mothers' care. Before disturbing them, observe from a
distance to see if the mother is indeed watching over them. It's best to leave
them alone unless there is an obvious problem. If the mother has been killed,
the babies may wander out of the den because they are hungry. They may be
crying (but not always), look weak or sickly. In this case, the babies need
attention. Don't pick these animals up with your bare hands because of the
concern of rabies. These animals are the most common rabies vector in PA!
Baby Skunks (Rabies vectors in PA):
If baby skunks are out
during the day, they have been orphaned. The mother would never allow her
babies to wonder out of the burrow. However, mom will take older babies out for
walks during the night. Sometimes an individual will get separated from the
group during these walks. This baby is orphaned also, unless it can be
re-united with the group. If the mother has been killed, the babies may wander
out of the den because they are hungry. They may (but not always) be crying,
look weak or sickly. In this case, the babies need attention. Babies typically
don't spray until they are older. Always aim their posterior away from you just
in case they do spray. Don't pick these animals up with your bare hands
because of the concern of rabies. These animals are known to contract rabies!
Adult Raccoons, Skunks and Foxes (Rabies vectors
in PA):
These animals are very
dangerous and should only be handled by professionals. It is recommended to call either a wildlife rehabilitator
or the Game Commission (or your local Fish and Game) for assistance.
Baby Squirrels:
If a baby is found, it
probably needs attention. If a baby is seen on the ground, it probably fell out
of a tree and most likely has a concussion. If the mother has been killed, the
babies may wander out of the nest because they are hungry. These animals are
unlikely to contract rabies.
Chipmunks:
It is very unusual to
find a baby. If one is found, it probably needs special attention. If the
mother is killed, the babies may wander out of the nest because they are
hungry. These animals are unlikely to contract rabies.
Groundhogs (Rabies vectors in PA):
It is very unusual to
find a baby. If one is found, it probably needs special attention. If the
mother is killed, the babies may wander out of the burrow because they are
hungry. Sometimes, the babies are washed out of the burrow during a rain storm.
Although rare, these animals have been found to contract rabies. The incidence
of rabies in groundhogs is rising in PA.
Baby Opossums:
These animals are on
their own when they are about 8-10 inches long (not including the tail). If one
is found smaller than 8-10 inches it probably needs attention. Orphaned babies
are often found looking for food near a dead mother, especially alongside
roads. These animals rarely contract rabies because of their low body
temperature.
Baby Bats (Rabies vectors in PA):
Bat pups are usually
found in July and early August. Many times bat pups will fall out of trees or
housing during a storm. Also, bat pups are found in buildings when they have
wandered from the colony. Babies that are furred look very much like the adults
except they are slightly smaller, and do not fly well. These babies need
assistance. Don't pick these animals up with your bare hands because of the
concern of rabies. Bats are a known to contract rabies.
Adult Bats (Rabies vectors in PA):
Bats found inside the
house other than July are not babies and can "sometimes" be released
directly outside. Please call a rehabilitator for assistance when bats are
found inside the house. When bats are trapped in side a building, they can't
find anything to eat or drink and can become very compromised, especially in the
winter months. Don't pick these animals up with your bare hands because of
the concern of rabies. Bats are a known to contract rabies.
Bear and Bobcats:
These animals can be
very dangerous and should only be handled by professionals. It is recommended to call the Game Commission (or your
local Fish and Game) for assistance. Even babies can be dangerous. If the
babies are newborn or they don't have their eyes open, they can be taken
directly to a rehabilitator if it is certain the mother is not returning. Otherwise,
it is best to call the Game Commission. They are much better equipped to handle
these animals and take them to the proper facility.
Fawns:
Fawns are often found
lying quietly in a field. If you find one and it is not crying, leave it there
and check back in 12-24 hours. If it is injured or crying, then it needs
special attention.
Adult Deer:
These animals can be
very dangerous and should only be handled by professionals. It is recommended to call the Game Commission (or your
local Fish and Game) for assistance.
BIRDS
The saying, "If you handle baby birds, the
mother will reject them" is NOT TRUE!
Feathered Song Birds or Fledglings:
Baby birds are often seen
fully feathered but trying to fly, with the parents nearby. These are
fledglings. If they look bright and alert, it is best to leave them alone. If
possible, keep cats and dogs away from the area for a few days. During this the
birds will learn to fly. The parents will continue to care for them even though
they are on the ground. If you are not sure if the parents are nearby and you
are concerned, you may put the bird in a nearby bush or on a tree branch and
observe from inside the house for a few hours. If the mother sees you in the
yard she will not come near.
Nestling Song Birds (partially feathered):
If the baby bird is
bright, alert, and opening it's mouth for food, you can put it back in the
nest. If it is not gaping (opening it's mouth for food) or is cold it may need
special attention. In addition, if a bird is injured, it needs help and cannot
be placed back in the nest. You should assume Birds that are cat caught are
injured although they may not appear to be. If a bird is featherless, it needs
heat. Holding a featherless baby bird in your hand will warm it effectively.
Since some baby birds need to eat every 1/2 hour or hour, it is important to
contact a rehabilitator as soon as possible for instructions if it cannot be
put back in the nest or the mother is gone.
Pigeons or Doves:
If baby doves are found
on the ground it is usually difficult to find the nest to put them back. Doves
make very poor nests which get blown down easily. Pigeons usually don't make
nests. Juvenile pigeons are fully feathered and very docile, and rely on their
parents for a long time. If you're not sure the bird needs attention, call a
rehabilitator.
Adult Birds:
If
an adult bird can be caught, probably something is wrong and it needs help.
Birds and Rabies: Rabies has been produced in birds experimentally, however, it
has never been found in wild bird populations.
CATCHING AN ANIMAL
There are three common
methods you can use to catch wild animals, the box method, the sheet method and
using a net. The techniques vary slightly for birds or mammals, so see the
notes for each below.
Box Method:
Carefully place a box
over the animal, then slide a piece of cardboard underneath the box to contain
the animal, being careful not to injure the animal in the process. A suitable
box would be a recycling bin with holes in the bottom. Then bricks (or another
heavy object) can be placed on the top of the box until help arrives. A plastic
bowl could be used for a smaller animal such as a bat.
Sheet method:
Carefully throw a
sheet/blanket or heavy towel over the animal. The sheet can be brought up
around the animal and tied together to contain the animal for transport if a
box is not handy. Or the animal and the sheet can also be placed directly
inside a cardboard box. Be careful not to leave a sheet or blanket on top of a
bird because it may over heat.
Birds:
Small song birds, can
sometimes just be picked up. For hard to catch birds or larger birds, use
either the box/ sheet method or a net. If the sheet method is used, place the
bird in a cardboard box, then unwrap the bird as soon as possible so the bird
doesn't overheat. Birds can overheat very easily and die from being wrapped up
too long, especially in warm weather. They can also overheat in your hands, so
don't hold an adult bird in your hands for any longer than necessary. If you
need to use a net to catch the bird, use extreme caution because it may damage
the feathers. A very effective carrying case for "small birds" is a
cardboard box or a paper bag with paper towels on the bottom and the top folded
down. If you're catching a raptor or a bird of prey, use leather gloves in
addition to a towel or sheet to protect yourself from the bird's talons. Do not
keep a bird of any kind wrapped in a blanket or any type of material for long
periods of time. It is "not" recommended to put wild birds in wire
cages because the cages may damage their feathers.
Mammals:
Mammals
can be caught using either the box method, sheet/blanket method or by using a
net. Call a professional to catch injured "adult" mammals
because they can be dangerous. It is recommended that you not to pick up
any baby mammals, with your bare hands. They may bite you out of fear. Baby
rabbits may be picked up with your bare hands, but should be placed directly
into a cardboard box for transport. Be extremely careful when capturing adult
rabbits. Adult rabbits will sometimes kick frantically when handled, even when
they are seriously injured, and can break their backs in the process. Bats
should never be picked up with your bare hands. Use gloves or a heavy towel to
pick up a bat. You can also scoop it into a cottage cheese container or a shoe
box. Put the container or box under the bat and gently scoop the bat into the
container with the lid. Poke very small holes into the lid with a pencil.
Please remember that some bats can squeeze through a 1/2" space. To
prevent you from being bitten, the box method is recommended for adult mammals;
however, proceed with caution. If the animal is unable to move or shows signs
of severe injury, use the box method. Keep the animal as still as
possible while moving it. Nets can also be used to catch mammals. Remember that
it is not recommended to pick up any mammal, especially adults, with your bare
hands.
Once the animal has been contained
***DO NOT HANDLE IT***
Centre
Wildlife Care Home Page
We value your input. Please send your comments to robyn@statecollege.com