Spring Wildlife Babies in Westchester and Putnam

This is the season when many wildlife babies come into the world. In the spring season, local wildlife rehabilitator, Maggie Ciarcia, starts receiving calls from people who find baby animals that they believe are orphaned and wanting to know if they should rescue them. But actually they are inadvertently preventing the animals' parents from caring for their young. In her 13th year as a New York State licensed wildlife rehabilitator, Maggie offers these basic tips when encountering wildlife situations:

• If you have to chase it to catch it, MOST likely it doesn't need your help.
• Don't make orphans. Please don't unnecessarily take a young animal away from its parents. Mother animals do a much better job than we can.
• If you do find a truly injured or orphaned animal, take it to a licensed Wildlife Rehabilitator. Find resources for orphaned/injured wildlife here.
• Do not give any food, water or milk to a baby animal without checking with a rehabber first. If the baby aspirates the food or water, it could die.
• Keep the animal warm, dark and quiet.
• Please watch for rabbit's nests when mowing your lawn in the spring. The Massachusetts Audubon Society advises that if a rabbit nest is discovered in a lawn or other location close to people or pets, by far the simplest solution is to tolerate its presence. This situation will last for a very brief time because young rabbits leave the nest very early in life – about two weeks after birth. No attempt should be made to relocate a nest as it is highly unlikely that the mother cottontail will succeed in finding it. To protect the nest from lawn mowers etc., place three foot high stakes in a circle, at least eight feet from the nest and attach “caution tape” to each stake. This is a better solution than fencing because nest area will be visible and the movement of the young will not be restricted. Keep pets and children away from the nest. Mammals, in contrast to birds, have an acute sense of smell and often reject young that have been handled by people. If a child brings in a rabbit removed from a nest, immediately return the cottontail to the nest. Wear gloves and handle the animal as little as possible to avoid transferring odor to it. If the rabbit has been handled, before placing it back in the nest, rub grass between your hands and then wipe your hands on the rabbit’s back. Hopefully this will conceal any human odor. For more answers, visit the House Rabbit Society articles on orphaned baby bunnies.

How can you tell if an animal needs help or should be left alone? Here are some general signs that an animal needs immediate help from the Humane Society of the United States:

• A wild animal presented to you by a cat or a dog
• Bleeding
• A featherless or nearly featherless bird (nestling) on the ground
• Shivering
• Evidence of a dead parent nearby
• Opossums that are hit by cars may have young in their pouches. Please rescue these legitimate orphans.
• Ducklings wandering around without a mother in sight are probably orphaned and should be taken to a wildlife rehabilitator.
• A young raptor that is out of its nest and still covered with white downy feathers or acts weak (nonresponsive, eyes half closed) or injured may need your help. Baby birds of prey (hawks, owls-or any age bird of prey) have extremely sharp talons and beaks. Never handle one of these birds without heavy gloves or a thick towel.

Many animals who appear to be orphaned are not. Unless one or more of the signs mentioned above is present, do not attempt to rescue animals in any of the following circumstances:

• A fawn (baby deer) who is curled up in the grass and appears approachable. His mother is most likely out of sight, but nearby and watching you.
• A bird who is fully feathered on his body with evidence of tail feathers hopping on the ground, but unable to fly. This is a fledgling and his parents are probably nearby. You can help this baby by making sure your pets and your neighbor's pets are not loose outside.
• Mother rabbits typically nurse their young only around 5 mins a day, and then move away from the nest so as not to attract the attention of predators. Seeing a litter of baby rabbits alone, some may assume the mom has been killed or has abandoned them, but this is rarely the case! A rabbit who is four inches long with open eyes and erect ears is independent from her mother and able to fend for herself. To read more about orphaned baby bunnies read http://www.rabbit.org/faq/sections/orphan.html .
• An opossum who is 9-10 inches or longer, not including the tail. He is independent.
• A squirrel who is nearly full sized, but has a fluffy tail, and is able to run, jump, and climb. She is independent.

If you find an injured animal, think of your safety first. Cover the animal with a box if it needs protection making sure to punch holes for adequate ventilation. Make sure all pets are inside and not loose as contact is dangerous for wildlife and your pets. Then call a wildlife rehabilitator to determine how to safely rescue it. If you must transport an injured/orphaned animal:

• Punch holes, from the inside out, into a cardboard box or other container. A paper bag may be suitable for most songbirds.
• Line the box with an old T-shirt or other soft cloth.
• Put on gloves.
• Use a towel or pillowcase to cover the animal, then scoop him up gently and place him in the container.
• Never allow children to hold baby or injured wildlife.
• Do not give the animal food or water. Many injured animals are in shock, and eating or drinking can make it worse.
• Place the container in a warm, dark, quiet place-away from pets, children, and noise-until you can transport the animal.
• Transport the animal as soon as possible. While in the car, keep the carrier out of the sun and away from direct air conditioning or heat. Keep the car radio off and talking to a minimum.
• Never handle an adult animal without first consulting with a wildlife professional.

If you are interested in helping our local wildlife, visit the links in the column on the left side of the page and view more tips provided by Wildlife Rescue & Rehabilitation Network of Westchester County, Inc. (W.R.R.N.W.). Maggie joins with other area wildlife rehabbers to give wildlife rehab workshops in the fall at local nature centers in Croton, Greenburg, Scarsdale and Yonkers. "This is a great place to start, to get an overview of what rehab is all about-pros and cons" states our own hero to local wildlife, Maggie Ciarcia.