This fawn was almost invisible where it had been left by its mother until her return later in the day. The fawn barely blinked or twitched even when a human (the author) was close by. (Janine Sullivan-Wiley photo)
By JANINE SULLIVAN–WILEY
Spring is baby animals time! And it is a time when many good-hearted folks find themselves in a quandary – in their gardens, or while hiking in a park or Middlebury Land Trust preserve, they come upon a tiny baby animal or bird and are overwhelmed by the need to do something to help it. But should they?
That question, unfortunately, does not have a simple yes-or-no answer. It depends. Here are some tips and guidelines that might help if you find yourself in that situation. Wildlife rehabilitator information follows at the end of this article.
With birds, what to do depends on their age. A baby bird with few if any feathers, eyes still shut, or unable to move around well has probably hatched recently and will be unable to survive on its own. If you can find the nest, place the tiny creature in it. It is a myth that the smell of your hands will make the mother reject it, but they may abandon a nest that is disturbed too much. If you can’t locate the nest or it is inaccessible, put the chick in a box or paper bag with air holes and crumpled paper towels in the bottom, keep it warm and contact a bird rehabber immediately.
If it’s a fledgling you find, leave it where it is. When they first fledge, the little ones may still have some down and a short tail and wing feathers and be able to perch, hop and run a bit. They are fed by the parents for a while after they leave the nest as they learn the ropes of independence. But at this stage they are in danger from predators, including domestic cats and dogs. (One more reason to keep cats indoors and watch dogs closely when they are outside.)
Sometimes humans are responsible for a bird or tree-nesting mammal becoming homeless during tree felling or heavy pruning. Prevention is the best solution. If feasible, check trees to see if anyone has a home there before felling or pruning them.
For any animal, if you see the mother dead on the road, and the baby nearby (or, in the case of opossums, in the mother’s pouch) – yes, please rescue the little one(s) and contact a wildlife rehabilitation group or person.
You are more likely to come upon a baby animal all alone and wonder, “Should I rescue this little one or leave it where I found it?” In most cases, the correct answer is the latter. If you are unsure, you can monitor it and see if the mother returns. Just know she probably won’t come out if you are nearby, so don’t cause an orphan trying to save it! Below are several species-specific guidelines.
Fawns: Does leave their babies while they feed. Fawns remain where they are, motionless and scentless, until does return hours later to feed them. I have watched this happen and it is remarkable: the doe and fawn approach long grass or bushes and the fawn suddenly drops like a rock. It remains curled up and motionless except for a possible twitch of the ears. Fawns are usually perfectly safe unless a predator literally stumbles upon it.
Wild rabbit kits: As with deer, the mother leaves her kits in the nest and returns to feed them about twice a day. Leave the babies alone.
Bear cubs: If you are around, you are probably spotting them up a tree. Black bear cubs are trained by their moms to climb a tree if danger threatens. If you see them, you are probably the danger. Leave the area. If you’re really worried, you could check back the next day.
Squirrels: If you find a baby on the ground, eyes still closed, call a rescue/rehabilitation organization.
Raccoon, fox and bat babies: Due to the risk of rabies, never handle these (or the adults of those species.) Keep in mind that adult foxes and raccoons can deliver a serious bite in defense of their young – more reason to leave their babies and sick or injured adults to the professionals.
Baby reptiles or amphibians or their nests: Leave them alone. If one is crossing the road (Drive carefully during spring because that is when they DO cross the road to reach breeding spots), you can help by moving the animal across the road in the direction it was traveling.
Find wildlife rehabilitator information at cwrawildlife.org, the website for licensed Connecticut rehabilitators. On this site, you can find information for the specific animal you are trying to help. Sharon Audubon Center at sharon.audubon.org/wildlife-rehabilitation-clinic is a highly reputable organization. You can also find resources at wildlifeofct.com/assistance.html. Wildlife rehabilitators are generally volunteers, so be patient and give them time to get back to you. And consider donating funds to them as most are unfunded.
For questions or comments, contact this writer at jswspotlight@gmail.com. You can visit the Middlebury Land Trust on Facebook or the website at middleburylandtrust.org. Meanwhile, Happy Hiking!
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