Wildlife Rescue

Wildlife Rescue

Introduction A baby bird hops along the ground, and its parents are nowhere in sight. What should you do if you find a baby bird that seems to be orphaned? What if you find a rabbit that seems unable to hop or a raccoon that is walking strangely? Many people don't know what to do, or not to do, when they find wildlife that may be in danger. But some people with special training know just what to do. They know to leave the raccoon alone because it is probably sick. They know whether they can help the rabbit and then return it to the wild. They can also look at the baby bird and know what care to give, if any. These people can teach you how to help, too.

Wildlife Rehabilitators People who help sick, injured, or orphaned wildlife are called rehabilitators, or “ rehabbers. " Rehabilitate means “ to make healthy again. ' Wildlife rehabbers rescue wild animals and care for the animals as they heal. After the animals recover, or get better, rehabbers return them to the wild whenever possible. Wildlife rehabbers have special training in caring for, feeding, and housing wild animals. Many can treat wild animals for sicknesses and injuries, too. They also know how to handle wildlife safely without hurting the animals or themselves.

The work of rehabbers is needed more often as people move into habitats where once only wild animals lived. When land is used for farming, houses, and businesses, the homes and food sources of wild animals are destroyed. As people move into wild areas, animals are more likely to be orphaned, injured, or killed. People and their activities cause most wildlife injuries.

Rescue How do you know whether an animal needs to be rescued? You should always follow these two rules: 1) do not touch the animal, and 2) call an adult right away. Adults can help by calling a wildlife rehabber who is trained in wildlife rescue. You can help by watching from a safe place to see where an animal hides so rescuers can quickly find it when they arrive. Putting a box or laundry basket over a small animal will protect it from other animals until help comes.

Many baby animals are wrongly taken from their homes when they aren't in danger. A young bird hopping on the ground may not be orphaned. It might just be learning how to fly. Baby birds often hop around as they practice moving before they fly. Their parents usually watch them from somewhere nearby, but you may not be able to see the parents. People sometimes rescue baby rabbits, seals, and fawns that aren't in trouble. It's normal for these babies to rest quietly on a beach or in the grass while their mothers eat nearby. Only people trained in the natural ways of these animals know whether the babies need human help. If they don't, taking them from their mother hurts their chances to survive.