Baby Wild Animals – Cute, Helpless, and WILD!

Once spring arrives, people and animals take advantage of the warmer weather. As baby animals grow up and begin to leave their nests and dens, we may witness their first experiences on their own. At this point in their development they may seem like helpless beings that we need to rescue and care for. Often times, it is better for the animal (and for the human) to let nature take its course.

Sometimes an adult or baby animal may need some assistance, a baby bird might need to be placed back into its nest, or an animal is injured and needs to be brought into the veterinarian; in these cases it is ok to try to help the wild animal. During the warm months, West Ridge Animal Hospital often will have baby animals brought in that are actually just learning to be on their own and will not benefit from our care. Fledgling birds, learning to fly and forage on their own, learn best from their parents and need to be left alone. Often times, small mammals (rabbits, squirrels, etc), may appear to be too young and possibly abandoned but are actually old enough to be on their own.

Please also keep in that many wild animals may carry disease that can transmit to you, your family, and your pets, so please take caution when handling wildlife. It may be tempting to keep a baby animal and try to nurse it back to health, or raise it to be used to humans. However, in the state of Colorado, it is considered harboring wildlife to do so and is illegal. Only facilities licensed by the state can house and care for wildlife.

Here are some tips on baby animals and wildlife:

• If a nestling is found outside of the nest (blown out of the nest, fell out, etc) – it is possible to touch the baby bird and put it back in its nest – it will not have an effect on its mother caring for it.
• If a fledgling is found (most adult feathers, unable to fly far distances, juvenile coloring, possible remaining baby down), please move it to a safe place nearby if there is any risk of injury from pets or cars. The parents are probably close by and watching from afar.
• If a baby bunny is found that has its eyes open, and is eating on its own – it is old enough to be on its own and does not need to be brought in.
• If a nest of baby bunnies is found and you are afraid it may be abandoned, you can sprinkle some flour at the entrance of the nest and leave them overnight. Check on them in the morning, if the flour is disturbed, their mother has visited and taken care of them, if the flour is not disturbed, you can bring them in for care.
• Ideally, if the wild animal can be taken directly to the wildlife rehabilitator they will have head start in their care. If the animal is obviously injured or very sick, please bring in for medical care, we will always treat sick or injured wildlife and transfer it to a wildlife rehabilitator once the animal is stable.

For more information on what to do if you find a baby bird or baby animal, please refer to these information sheets from the Greenwood Wildlife Rehabilitation Center:
http://www.greenwoodwildlife.org/documents/factsheets/FoundBabyBird.pdf
http://www.greenwoodwildlife.org/documents/factsheets/FoundBabyMammal.pdf