animal that may need help
Sometimes it is difficult to tell. Assess
this BEFORE handling the animal.
Signs that an animal needs help:
- An obvious injury: blood, broken bones
or wings, cuts, swelling - Unusual behavior: too tame,
convulsions, staggering, limping, sickly
looking - Appears thin, poor fur or feathers, or
cold - Excessive crying
Signs that it does not need help:
- Healthy, well grown animal near nest,
den or parent - Healthy fawn in or near cover by itself.
(Mother deer “stash” fawns while
feeding - Well feathered young bird hopping or
standing on legs. - These are old enough to leave nest.
IF YOU THINK IT NEEDS HELP, WHAT YOU
CAN DO:
BABY ANIMALS OUT OF THE
NEST
Minimize all handling.
If you determine (after reading further) that it
does need to be taken to a wildlife
rehabilitator, place the animal in a clean box
with a towel or newspaper. Keep it dry, quiet
and warm until you can reach help
BABY BIRDS
(Birds cannot smell human scent, and will not
reject a baby that has been touched-
mammals can smell, so extensive handling
should be avoided.
If the baby bird is still too young to stand and
perch, it can be returned to its nest if you can
find and reach it.
If you can’t reach the nest, replace the baby
bird in a box nearby above the reach of
cats. Observe from a distance.
Seek help if the parent does not return in 4
hours.
If the "baby" bird is found on the ground and
hopping, but still unable to fly DO NOT
try to rescue it unless it is clearly injured.
This bird is actually a "teenager" or fledgling.
Baby birds often jump from the nest and
remain unflighted for 2 to 4 days. Their
parents continue to feed them, while
encouraging them to forage for themselves.
This is an IMPORTANT developmental stage.
DO NOT move the young bird or separate it
form the parents. Despite, cats, kids and
other dangers, it must remain with its parents
to learn vital survival skills.
MAMMALS
Squirrels
Young baby squirrels on the ground may
be a sign of a dead parent and should be
helped immediately!
Baby Rabbits
These are often found in the spring while out
mowing. The nest is a shallow depression in
the ground covered with fur. Sometimes the
mower will injure or kill some of the babies.
Remove these and return any others to the
nest and cover with the fur. The mother will
return to feed her young after dark.
To check if she has returned, place 2 pieces
of yarn over the top of the nest in an "X".
Check in the morning to see if the yarn has
been disturbed. If it has not the babies may
need help. Call a wildlife rehabilitator.
Any cold, starving, sickly or injured baby or adult
needs immediate help. Place in a cardboard box
lined with cloth and cover with a lid. Avoid
extremes of temperature, handling and noise.
DO NOT ATTEMPT TO FEED OR WATER
ANY ANIMAL UNLESS DIRECTED TO DO
SO BY A VET OR REHABILITATOR
Use caution when handling any wild animal.
USE GLOVES. Their normal defense when
cornered is to bite or scratch.
NEVER ATTEMPT TO HANDLE SKUNKS OR
RACCOONS! They are dangerous and can
carry rabies, other diseases and parasites.
THE GOAL OF WILDLIFE REHABILITATION
IS TO RETURN HEALTHY ANIMALS TO THE
WILD.
Wildlife rehabilitators work together with
conservation officers, law enforcement
and vets to help when wildlife is injured
or orphaned.
Rehabbers must have state and federal
rehabilitation permits in order to care for
birds and mammals.
Most birds and mammals are protected
by state or federal laws.
All rehabilitators are unpaid volunteeers.
They receive no state or federal
compensation for their many hours of work.
Some rehabbers accept donations to offset
the cost of the animals’ care. Donations of
pet food, cages, and pet carriers are often
welcomed.
needs help, call the:
Wildlife Rescue Hotline
(785) 575-1991
Each year thousands of wild animals are found
injured or orphaned. Knowing how to find help
for these animals will increase their chances for
survival.
From 60% to 90% of the injuries found in wildlife
are caused by human elements in their habitat.
Cars, window, power lines, pets, traps, and
garbage are but a few of the man made hazards
wild animals must deal with.
Learn how to prevent injuries to animals and
what to do if you find an injured or orphaned
animal.
How to help prevent injuries to wildlife:
- Dispose of garbage properly, especially
plastics, styrofoam and hazardous
chemicals
- Keep pets away from wildlife
- Cap chimneys and cover holes in roof &
siding
- Pick up fishing lines and hooks.
GOOD PETS
NEVER, NEVER try to keep wild birds OR
mammals as pets.
Their wild nature is different than a dog or
cats and will make it likely that they will die
of stress in captivity or become aggressive
as they get older.
If you are keeping the animal to "get the
experience" of raising it and then intend to let it
go, remember:
- Each species has special diet
requirements. If you feed the animal
incorrectly it may die or be permanently
damaged.
- Many species need special training to
prepare them to be wild. You cannot just
let it go and expect "instinct" will take over.
- Habituated (use to humans) animals can
be dangerous as they mature, as they
have lost their fear of humans.
- Many wild animals, especially raccoons,
carry diseases, such as rabies, distemper,
parvo and many parasites, that can infect
humans and their pets . RACCOONS
SHOULD NEVER BE KEPT AS PETS.
EVER!
KEEPING A WILD BIRD OR MAMMAL
AS A PET IS ILLEGAL IN THE STATE
OF KANSAS.
Licensed wildlife rehabilitators are trained on
proper feeding, and preparing animals for the
wild.
WILDLIFE REHABILITATION
Stone Nature Center has been rehabilitating
wildlife in the northeast Kansas area since
1991. We care for over 1500 animals per year
in a six county area.
About 25 volunteer rehabbers work with Stone
at the facility and out of their homes providing
care to all species of wild birds and mammals,
including raptors.
Volunteer rehabilitators must attend a 4 week
training course at the Stone Nature Center and
remain supervised by experienced rehabilitators
and veterinary personnel.
All funding for wildlife rehabilitation is provided
by the rehabilitators themselves and through
donations.
Your tax deductible donation is greatly
appreciated and will help in defraying the costs
of expensive medication , first aid supplies and
specialized foods such as infant mammal
formula.
The Stone Nature Center wildlife
rehabilitaton facility is a state and federally
licensed wildlife rehabilitation facility
serving Shawnee,Douglas, Jefferson,
Wabaunsee, Osage,and Brown counties,
caring for all species of wild birds and
mammals, including raptors.
Wildlife Rehabilitation,Inc., a non-profit organization
dedicated to the support of wildlife rehabilitation and
education through the Stone Nature Center, Topeka,KS.
