Keep an eye out for baby wildlife
Lately, I've been hearing people say we're in a “false spring.” Well, apparently, baby wildlife didn't get the memo because for them spring has sprung.
Our friends at WildCare recently received their first baby patients of the season.
“Just in the past few days, we admitted our first tiny baby squirrel, a baby jackrabbit and two newly hatched nestling hummingbirds,” said Alison Hermance, director of communications and marketing for WildCare. “There's no doubt that wildlife baby season is upon us.”
During spring, Marin plays host to a variety of baby wildlife — from fawns to ducklings to baby squirrels to opossum babies riding in their mom's pouch. This means the phone lines at Marin Humane and WildCare stay busy with calls from worried residents. It's a good time to be reminded about when to help, when to ask experts for help and when to just let nature take its course.
Fawns are often left alone for hours while mom's away foraging for
food. Their primary survival mechanism is to stay still and quiet while she's away. Only if a fawn is walking around and crying are they in distress. If you see a fawn, don't try to move them before calling WildCare or Marin Humane. Every year we must remind well-intentioned people not to “kidnap” fawns.
While you likely won't see them, this is also the time of year when coyote pups are born. It's important to give a wide berth if you suspect a den
is nearby, especially when out with your dogs. Coyote parents become more protective during this time and soon after, when pups begin to venture out.
Sometimes, though, wildlife babies can use our help.
Hermance reminds us to keep an eye out for fallen baby birds and squirrels, especially after a windy night. “If you find a fallen baby, call WildCare. Second, don't trim your trees, shrubs or bushes until autumn — animals are probably already using
your trees and bushes as nurseries.
Third, if it's safe to do so, check a hit-by-car opossum on the side of the road to see if it is a nursing mother with babies in her pouch. This can save as many as 13 tiny lives. Last, consider putting a couple of ramps or floating haul-outs in your pool or pond to help ducklings and other wildlife escape the water.”
Never handle an adult animal without first consulting a wildlife professional. Call WildCare at 415-456-7283 or Marin Humane at 415-883-4621 and describe the animal and their physical condition as accurately as possible. Don't put yourself in danger and don't use bare hands. Even injured animals may bite or scratch. It's possible for animals to carry diseases, and many have parasites, like fleas and ticks, so prepare to wash up after.
Unless you're told otherwise, here's how you can make an animal more comfortable for transport:
1. Put the animal in a safe container. For most songbirds, a brown paper bag lined with a paper towel is fine. For larger birds or other animals, use a cardboard box or similar container.
First, punch holes for air (not while the animal is in the box!) from the inside out and line the box with an old T-shirt or other soft cloth.
2. Use gloves if you have them or a towel or pillowcase to gently scoop up the animal up and place them in the container.
3. Do not give the animal food or water. It could be the wrong food and cause them to choke or trigger serious digestive problems. Many injured animals are in shock and force-feeding can kill them.
4. Place the container in a warm, dark, quiet place. Keep the container away from children and pets and from direct sunlight, air conditioning or heat.
5. Transport the animal to WildCare as soon as possible. Leave the radio off and keep talking to a minimum.
Wild animals can become very stressed by our noises and if they're injured or orphaned, they're already in a compromised condition.
To report an animal in trouble, call Marin Humane at 415-883-4621 or WildCare at 415-456-SAVE (7283).
We're so fortunate to live in a place teeming with wildlife. Let's try to keep all baby creatures safe and sound.