It’s a job better left to trained wildlife specialists

  Spring is well under way, and it is one of the most exciting times for animal lovers who relish in finding a cardinal’s nest of spotting a fawn beyond their backyard.

  But it’s also the busy season for wildlife rehabilitator specialists as well-meaning enthusiasts start bringing animals into their homes thinking they need to be rescued.

  Milton Jones, Pitt County wildlife officer, said people have good intentions, but in most cases, the animals just need to be left alone.

   “People have their hearts in the right place,” Jones said.  “But wildlife is wildlife.”  

   Marti Brinson of Downeast Wildlife Rehabilitation Center concurs, saying this time of year, people are especially trying to care for deer.

    “It’s said that people find these babies and they’re just not able to keep up with their mothers,” Brinson said.

    At About two weeks old, fawns don’t get around very much, she said.  The mother deer will feed her fawn and then leave it so it remains protected while she hunts on her own.  However, she will return for the fawn later on, as long as it hasn’t been moved. 

    Nimette Soli, rehab coordinator for Eastern Wildlife Center, said a lot of people also try to help fledglings (young birds). 

  But this is another animal that should not be moved in order for a parent to find them.

  If they’re rescued, they’re being kidnapped, Soli said.

   If you find a bird that has fallen out of its nest, it should be returned.  Brinson said that, unlike what many have heard, a mother will return to it’s baby even if it has been touched by a human. 

   If you cannot find the nest, Brinson said you can make a new one from a small basket lined with pine straw and dry grass.  Then place new nest where you found the fledgling.

   This is also a helpful tip for animals like baby rabbits and opossums, if they actually are babies.  Brinson said if the animal are about the size of your fist, let them go--- it’s their time to learn how to survive on their own. 

   “All these people find all of these animals and think they’re lost,” Brinson said.  “They’re not lost.” 

   And taking a wild animal home could do more harm than good. 

   Wild rabbits, for example, can die from the stress of being moved into a different environment.  An animal could also die of starvation or dehydration, it might have worms or ticks, internal injuries or it can become infested with maggots and may not be able to be saved. 

   You could also be fined.

   Laws in place protecting wildlife are dependent on the animal.  Jones said you are not allowed to possess certain animals – like wild turkeys, black bears or raccoons — no matter what the circumstances, and it is unlawful to take anything out of the wild and bring it home as a pet. 

   Soli said a significant number of people think the animals are cute, free pets.  Then a day or two after they bring the animal home, they realize they can’t care for it properly.  They cannot provide enough warmth or they give the animal a completely inappropriate diet. 

   “Significant damage can be done in one day’s time,” Soli said especially in the fledglings, because they develop so quickly. 

   Soli said to watch the animal first to ensure it actually needs rescuing.  If it does, call a wildlife rehabber.

          They can be found directly online, or calling a veterinarian, biologist, or an animal shelter.  Soli warns against calling a pet shop because not all clerks know what to do. 

           Once you’ve contacted a rehabber, they can tell you specifically what to do.  You may need to call the sheriff’s office; you may need to leave it alone.  If you are caring for an injured animal while you wait for a rehabber, remember to wear gloves and not to let the animal socialize with any pets or children.

      And if it’s a bear, just leave it alone; you could get seriously injured.

     “If they find anything, they should call someone like myself to find out what to do,” Soli said.

       Wildlife rehab organizations work with several vets and animal agencies to properly care for found wildlife.

        Their main goal is to prepare the animal for release back into the wild, but they also cover the price of putting down those animals that are suffering and untreatable.

      And they can handle only so many cases.

      “I love taking in the ones that need help,” Brinson said.  “But the ones who don’t need to be brought in can overwhelm us (rehabbers).”

Feeding fawns

A little help from the vet (Marti with Dr. House)
A hurt fawn