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We mean well. Tender hearts want to rescue helpless-looking creatures. Too often, though, we do more harm than good.
With baby wildlife season in full spring bloom — and COVID pushing more of us outdoors than usual — animal experts are sending out a reminder:
Unless they’re obviously injured, those cute, cuddly-looking babies usually do best if we back away.
But there are some moments when we’re needed.
The Humane Society of the United States is offering tips for knowing when and how to intervene.
Q: Is it true that birds will abandon their babies if you touch them?
A: Nope, that’s a myth. If a featherless or nearly featherless baby falls from a nest, it’s OK to put it back. But if it’s feathered and hopping around on the ground, leave it alone. That’s a normal stage of learning to fly and can last for up to a week.
Q: What about rabbits?
A: Don’t touch. Your scent could mean doom for baby bunnies. Don’t fret if a nest seems unattended. Mothers don’t loiter to avoid drawing predators. And if babies are at least 4 inches long with open eyes, they’re big enough to fend for themselves.
Q: Why is a squirrel stalking me?
A: A juvenile squirrel that persistently approaches and follows people is probably a hungry orphan in need of rescue (see last question below).
Q: Should I do anything for a baby deer that’s lying all alone in the woods?
A: Only if you know its mother is dead (a nearby roadkill, for example). Fawns spend most of their time lying still and quiet, camouflaged in brush, waiting for mothers who come to nurse only a few times a day. And she won’t return as long as you’re hanging around.
Q: I found a opossum no bigger than my hand. Is it OK on its own?
A: If it’s at least 7 inches long (not counting tail), it’s probably fine. Opossums aren’t much larger than bees when they’re born. After two months of staying in mom’s pouch — and growing to 3 or 4 inches — they start riding around on her back, where they can fall off unnoticed.
Q: How do I know if parents are coming back?
A: Barring an obvious carcass or trapping case, it depends on the species. Fox kits will play outside a den for long periods while their parents are hunting. But if a baby raccoon is left alone for more than a few hours, it’s likely lost its mother.
Weekend Scoop
Q: How can I be sure?
A: By giving parents and offspring a chance to reunite. If you can’t reach a bird nest, or it’s been destroyed, place babies in a shallow open-weave basket and hang it near the spot where they fell. Parents will often continue feeding. Adult squirrels have been known to retrieve youngsters from an open shoe box on the ground. Raccoons can be corralled under an inverted laundry basket, where their mother can spot them if she comes searching in the night. Put a light weight on top that she can move. Remember that even babies can bite so wear thick gloves, which might also help dull scent contamination.
Q: It’s 24 hours later and there’s no sign of mom. What now?
A: Call a wildlife rehabilitator for advice (see how-to-find below) and prepare to capture babies for transport. Wear gloves and use a towel to scoop them up. Have a cardboard box ready that you can punch air holes in and close. A paper bag does fine for birds. Don’t try to force feed or give water. It might be the wrong food or they could choke, as stressed-out animals are prone to do. Take them to a rehabilitator ASAP. Keep things quiet during the ride.
How to find help
Licensed wildlife rehabilitators are typically private citizens with special training. In Virginia, the Department of Wildlife Resources keeps a list on its website at dwr.virginia.gov/wildlife/injured/rehabilitators. In North Carolina, a list can be found at ncwildlife.org/injured-wildlife. If you’re unable to locate a rehabber nearby, try contacting an animal shelter, humane society, animal control agency, nature center or veterinarian.
For more info about wildlife babies, what to do and when, go to humanesociety.org/resources/found-orphaned-or-injured-baby-wild-animal.
Joanne Kimberlin, 757-446-2338, joanne.kimberlin@pilotonline.com