How To Determine If Wildlife Needs Help

Raising Wild Animals

Keeping Young Wild Animals At Home Is Bad For THEM
Commercial milk replacement formulas, even those that claim to be adequate for use in wild species, are not
designed for anything other than kittens and puppies. Natural milk varies substantially between species so it is
unreasonable to expect that a single formulation will satisfy the nutritional requirements of multiple species.
Providing the correct balance of protein, fat and carbohydrates is critical during growing periods in order to ensure
proper development of bones, teeth, eyes and other organs. In addition, the percentage of sugars in natural milk is
variable. Animals fed too high a concentration of sugar in a formula develop diarrhea; too low can cause
constipation. Both can be fatal in a young animal. Baby birds require specially designed diets that range in type
from strict vegetarian to pure carnivore depending on the species.
Much of what juvenile animals do, besides grow, is to learn about what is “normal.” They learn this by being
exposed to things in their natural environment and by watching the behavior of their parents and siblings. If animals
are deprived of their natural environment and interactions with others of their own species, they are not able to learn
what they need to survive: how to find food, where to seek shelter, how to recognize and avoid predators, and how
to play, fight and breed with members of their own species. Not only are we preventing them from learning what is
“normal,” but we are also teaching them “abnormal” or inappropriate behaviors including that humans are a source
of food and shelter.

Keeping Young Wild Animals At Home Is Bad For YOU
Juvenile animals grow up to be adults and while juvenile animals often defend themselves by hiding or “freezing,”
adult animals defend themselves by biting, scratching, and clawing. Even something as innocent looking as a
cottontail rabbit can inflict severe scratches with its strong hind legs when it is frantic to get away. Squirrels can bite
a human finger to the bone and raccoon bites are equivalent to those of a much larger dog.
Wild animals you raise may incorporate your home and yard into their territory as they grow older. This will throw
them into direct competition with your pets and other neighborhood animals. They may continue to view you as a
source of food and can become aggressive and destructive if it is not provided. In extreme situations, they may
even view humans as members of their own species. Hormonally induced behavior during mating season can be
particularly obnoxious and dangerous.
Wild animals carry diseases that are transmissible to humans and pets. Reptiles are known carriers of salmonella, a
bacterial disease that results in diarrhea and dehydration and can even cause death in severely affected individuals.
Mammals all carry external parasites (lice and fleas) that usually do not infest humans, but can potentially be a
problem for your pets. Ticks can spread disease between their original host and any other susceptible animal. Any
mammal (although raccoons are the particular culprit) can carry microscopic roundworm intestinal parasites that
can cause severe disease or even death if accidentally ingested by a human or pet. Although children with their less
developed sense of hygiene are at particular risk, even adults can inadvertently expose themselves. Other intestinal
parasites (protozoa) such as giardia and cryptosporidium can cause diarrhea diseases similar to salmonella.
Familiar sounding diseases such as rabies and bubonic plague and less familiar ones can kill a person if left
untreated.

All Native Wild Animals Are Protected By State and Federal Laws

Please remember that it is illegal to keep wild animals without a license, even for very short periods of time. Wild
animals, particularly babies, have very specialized nutritional, housing, and handling needs that you are unlikely to
be able to provide. Well meaning but inexperienced individuals who attempt to raise them inevitably produce an
unhealthy, tame animal that cannot survive in its natural habitat.
Central Carolina Wildlife Rescue, Inc. has been issued the necessary permits to provide rehabilitation and captive
rearing for native wild animals. The CCWR, Inc. staff is comprised of individuals with degrees and experience in the
fields of wildlife medicine, wildlife rehabilitation, animal husbandry, natural history and ecology.

Many times you will come across a baby bird, rabbit, squirrel or deer that you
think may be orphaned and in need of help. This is not always the case!
Rabbits, for instance feed their young only once or twice a day, then the mother
stays away from the nest so she is not calling anyone’s attention to it.

A few general rules of emergency care for any type of wildlife:

* Leave the animal alone if the parent is nearby.

*Leave the animal alone if it appears fat, bright-eyed and healthy.

* Rescue the animal if you see that its parent is dead.

* Rescue the animal if it appears weak, sick or cold.

* Rescue the animal if it appears to be visibly injured.

* Rescue the animal if it is in danger from traffic or other animals.

Until you can get advice from your Humane Society.... Or a wildlife rehabilitator,
place the animal in a box with holes and a clean ravel-free cloth or a t-shirt.
Nestle a hot water bottle or jar filled with warm water into or next to the cloth.

DO NOT use grass for bedding, as it is usually damp enough
to cause a chill.

DO NOT attempt to feed or water the animal. Inexperience with the animal’s
needs can be fatal.

Immediately call your humane society or wildlife rehabilitator.

Do not ever attempt to nurse an animal back to health yourself. Not only is it
illegal, but you will most likely kill the animal in your kind-hearted attempts.

YOU CAN CLICK THE LINK BELOW TO FIND A WILDLIFE REHABILTATOR IN
YOUR AREA.

North Carolina Residents should click here:

Opossum: Opossums “play dead” when they are frightened, and they are very
convincing. Should you find an“unconscious” possum in your garage or
garbage can, leave the garage door open, or gently tip the can on its side.
Leave the area for a few hours, and most likely the possum will leave
too!

Squirrels: At about 5-6 weeks a baby squirrel is starting to explore its world, but
a parent is usually watching. Do not interfere unless it looks sick or injured. A
good rule to remember is if something is difficult for you to catch, it probably
does not need your help.

Birds: If you find a small featherless baby bird, it has most likely fallen out of its
nest. Try to locate the nest and gently replace the baby into it. Your human
scent will not cause the parent to reject it. A young bird with feathers is a
fledgling. You may see them perched on the ground or on a branch, and most
likely the parent is nearby watching. Do nothing unless the fledgling appears to
be in some type of danger.

Rabbits: At about one month of age, baby rabbits begin to leave the nest and
explore. They are capable of feeding themselves at this point, even though they
look very small. A good rule to remember is that as soon as a baby bunny is the
size of your palm, he is ready to be on his own, unless he is injured or sick.

The next time you find an orphaned, injured or sick animal, remember, the best
gift you can give it just may be patience and observation.