If you encounter baby rabbits (bunnies) in your yard and don’t see a mother nearby, your first thought may be that they’ve been abandoned. As you start thinking about how to take care of a bunny, you might imagine that it would be easy or fun, but caring for a wild rabbit is very different from having a pet rabbit. First, do not attempt to feed wild baby rabbits even if you think they may be hungry. You could easily do great harm, as only a … [Read more...]
How to Help an Orphaned Baby Squirrel
When you see a baby squirrel come tumbling out of a tree you’re cutting down, what do you do? What if you discover a baby squirrel following you all around, with no sign of mom anywhere? Here are some pointers for what to do in those situations when you think a baby squirrel may be in trouble. It's not the time to hone your lumberjack skills... If you’re cutting down a tree in spring (which you should avoid whenever possible since baby wild … [Read more...]
Is That Baby Deer Really Orphaned?
In late spring and summer, many people are astonished to find an adorable, helpless-looking baby deer, or fawn curled up in their yard. Some assume the fawn is orphaned and in need of help, and run out to grab the animal. They don’t realize that this is the worst thing they can possibly do. Nature's camouflage... What’s happened is that the mother deer has “parked” her fawn there on purpose – in a place that seemed safe in the night. Deer … [Read more...]
Wild Wildlife Jobs
If you are spending your weekends hiking camping or just looking at the bugs and butterflies in your backyard, you might consider converting your recreational passion into your livelihood by searching for a wildlife job. While animal shelters or dog training might be top of mind when considering a career with or about animals, if you use your imagination, you will find opportunities for wildlife jobs in all sectors of the economy. Wildlife jobs … [Read more...]
Wildlife Rescue & Rehabilitation
Have you found a sick, injured, or orphaned wild animal? You may be wondering whether you can care for the animal yourself. Caring for wildlife requires specialized knowledge. And keeping wildlife, even temporarily while providing care, requires authorization from your state and/or federal wildlife agencies. If a wild animal needs medical help, finding a wildlife rehabilitator is the right thing to do. This Q&A answers common questions about … [Read more...]
If You Want to Adopt a Wild Animal…
Who hasn’t fallen in love with the cuteness of a wild baby animal somewhere along the line? The feeling that you should adopt a wild animal that you perceive to be in need can be strong and it’s natural to feel a desire to help and care for wildlife, especially orphaned animals. If you want to help wildlife there are lots of options—from symbolic adoptions of wild animal species or individuals that help fund the efforts of nonprofit wildlife … [Read more...]
Wild Animal Shelter for Orphaned or Injured Wildlife
Have you found an orphaned or injured wild animal you believe is in need of care? While your first thought may be to rush him to a wild animal shelter, or wildlife rehabilitator, unless there is no question that he’s in imminent danger, take time before intervening. Some situations can be misleading. Here are a few examples of animals who typically do not need to be rescued and brought to a rehabilitator: A bird who is feathered and … [Read more...]
Finding the Right Wildlife Control Service
Got a family of raccoons in your chimney? Have you heard rustling and other little noises coming from within your walls or vents? Time to hire a wildlife control service company. Why? Because some problems are best left to the professionals. You’ll save yourself considerable time and trouble—as well as the possibility of additional problems and expenses if your do-it-yourself plan goes awry. When you hire a carefully chosen wildlife control … [Read more...]