A Broken Wing, An Orphaned Fawn

What to Do with Injured/Orphaned Wildlife

Should You Intervene

--Birds

--Squirrels

--Deer

--Rabbits

Animal Collisions

Take Action

Should You Intervene                                                                  Back to Top

If you find an injured or what appears to be an orphaned wild animal, remain as calm as possible. Try not to cause any stress to the wild animal as this will only cause the animal to try to get away, possibly causing further injury. Without getting too close to the wild animal, try to determine what kind of animal you are observing and if, in fact, the animal is injured or orphaned. Do not touch or disturb the animal until you have spoken to authorities about the situation.

If you determine a wild animal needs help, call a wildlife rescue service. They will instruct you on your next course of action to prevent harm to you and further harm to the animal. Be able to identify the animal—if not the exact name, at least the physical traits, including the approximate size.               

If you suspect an animal is orphaned, consider that in most cases, a baby animal left alone is not actually an orphan. Some animals, such as rabbits and deer, will leave their young alone and visit only a couple times a day for feeding—this draws less attention from predators. Others, such as foxes, will leave their young alone for long periods of time while they hunt for food. It is important to leave these wild animals alone unless you are absolutely certain they are in need of your help. Remember, your very presence may be keeping mom away.

Animals caught in the wild and brought in to your home have a very low chance of survival. The babies need to be raised by their mothers; and, if that is not an option, they need to be taken to a wildlife rehabilitation center to increase their chances of survival. Bringing a wild animal into your home will not help the animal. Also, almost all birds and mammals are legally protected and it is against the law for you to have them in your home without a permit.

Birds                                                                                              Back to Top

If you find a baby bird on the ground under or near a nest, do not automatically assume that the baby has fallen and needs your help. These birds, called fledglings, are often learning to fly by jumping out of the nest. The mother bird will continue to feed the baby on the ground until the baby learns to fly. Although these birds do not need you to return them to the nest, you should be conscious of likely predators. Try to keep cats and dogs away from the fledgling.

Squirrels                                                                                         Back to Top

You typically will not see baby squirrels outside the drey, or nest. However, if after a big storm with heavy winds you find baby squirrels who have blown out of their drey, place them in a box at the base of the tree. The mother should rescue her babies. If you notice that she does not return, contact your wildlife rescue service.               

Deer                                                                                              Back to Top

If you find a fawn who seems healthy, but do not see her mother nearby, do not bother the fawn. The mother is most likely close by waiting for you to leave before she goes back for the fawn. A fawn alone is not necessarily orphaned. However, if you find a fawn who is obviously injured or orphaned, bring the fawn to a quiet place while you call your wildlife rescue service—and do not try to interact too much with the fawn.               

Rabbits                                                                                        Back to Top

Since rabbits build their nests on the ground, they have a fair chance of encountering people or pets. If you find a nest, it is important to leave it alone, even if you suspect the mother might be dead. If you have observed the nest for a day and have seen no activity, place a string over the top of the nest and wait until morning. If the string has moved, the mother has returned during your absence and these are not orphaned rabbits. If the string is in the same place, and the babies are cool, call your wildlife rescue service.

Animal Collisions                                                                          Back to Top

Inevitably, because humans continue to use animals’ habitats for development, there will come a time when the two will clash. Unfortunately, the animal usually loses. This is the case with roads bisecting animal habitats.

Drivers should avoid animal collisions as much as possible by driving carefully when on country roads, using high beams at night, paying attention to animal crossing signs, and limiting driving during high-risk times, such as dawn and dusk. If you see one deer crossing the road ahead of you, slow down as deer rarely cross alone and more are likely to follow. Do not beep at wildlife crossing the road as the sound will only frighten them, unless there is a deer in the road, in which case, a long sustained beep will encourage her to move. If there is an animal in the road, do not swerve. You are not sure which direction the animal will run, and swerving puts other motorists behind and coming toward you at risk. Instead, brake immediately.

If you hit an animal, pull your car onto the shoulder, turn on your hazards, get out of your vehicle, and call the police. Report the accident, location, and condition of passengers and animal. Place flares behind your vehicle to warn traffic of the danger and wait for assistance. Do not attempt to approach or move the animal—the animal is frightened and may kick or bite.

Never leave the scene of an accident without informing local law enforcement, even if there is minimal damage to your vehicle. In fact, in some states, it is illegal to hit an animal and not report it to local law enforcement. After you notify the police, call your local wildlife rescue service to see if they can come out also—maybe the animal can be saved.

Take Action to Protect Injured and Orphaned Wildlife

What can you do to protect injured and orphaned wildlife? First, respect the wildlife of your community by leaving them alone, intervening only when you have a clear plan. Other humane actions include:

• Drive defensively, especially during mating season, to avoid animal/vehicle collisions.
• Contact a wildlife rehabilitator in your area, before you need one, to find out what the rules are regarding injured and orphaned wildlife.
• Volunteer with a wildlife rehabilitator to learn how to handle injured and orphaned wildlife.
• Enjoy nature. Spend time observing, from a distance, the wildlife of your area.

October 2009                                                                                     Back to Top