IF YOU FIND A BABY BIRD OR ANIMAL

Healthy wild birds and animals need to be raised by their parents.

Humans cannot duplicate, but only approximate, all the learning skills animals need to get from their biological parents in order to thrive as adults in their natural habitat.

Therefore, it is important, that before you attempt a rescue, you try to determine if the baby is healthy, whether it's in a safe, appropriate place or if it is sick, injured or misplaced.

BIRDS

Baby birds go through 2 main stages of development before becoming adults. These stages are as follows:

NESTLINGS

At this stage the baby bird is naked or has some down (soft feathering). It is immobile and totally dependent on its parents for survival.

If you find a bird at this stage on the ground (usually under a tree), try to locate the nest and, if possible, put the baby back. Despite what you may have heard, the parents will not reject the baby because you have touched it, and will continue to care for it.

If you cannot find or reach the nest, or if the baby is injured, cold or non-responsive, please call us or bring the bird to FPWC as soon as possible.

FLEDGLINGS

At this stage the bird will be feathered but has short tail feathers. It is mobile on the ground but not flying, is still being fed by its parents and relies on them for protection.

If you find a bird at this stage on the ground---it is normal-most songbirds jump out of the nest at this stage and learn how to fly from the ground up. The parents are somewhere nearby to feed and care for the chick.

Unless the bird is injured, wet, cold, not moving or in a dangerous location, it is best to let the parents finish fledging their baby, it is only a short period of time before they fly.

If you determine the bird is in need of help, please call us or bring the bird to FPWC as soon as possible.

WHAT TO DO UNTIL YOU GET THE BIRD TO FPWC

KEEP IT WARM: Place the bird in a box and keep it warm (about 80 degrees). Nestlings cannot regulate their body temperature and, without warmth a sick or injured bird could go into shock and die due to hypothermia. (Suggested heat sources are either a heating pad placed half under the rescue container or a hot water bottle wrapped in a thick towel. When providing a heat source it is important to make sure the source is covered to prevent the bird from coming into direct contact with it and getting burned. It is necessary for the bird to be able move off the heated area if it becomes too warm.)

KEEP IT DARK AND QUIET: Punch air holes in the top and sides of the box, line the bottom with a soft cloth, close the top securely or cover with a towel. Keep the bird away from pets and children to keep stress to a minimum. Wild birds can die from stress alone.

DO NOT FEED ANYTHING: Birds have a very fast metabolism and feeding the wrong diet, even for a short time can result in a fatal outcome. Never force-feed an injured bird.

MAMMALS

Many young mammals that appear to be in need of rescue are not orphans and should be left alone.

RABBITS: A native rabbit (Cottontail or Marsh Rabbit) that is 5" long is independent from the mother and fends for itself.

Rabbits make a nest that is simply a shallow depression in the grass. The mother will feed the babies twice a day (early morning and evening). If you find a nest with babies, they are probably not orphans. Do not remain around the nest to see if mom is coming back since mom will stay away to reduce the attraction to the area where her babies are hidden. You can place a string over the nest and check it in 24 hours. If it has not been moved in that time, the babies should then be picked up and transferred (in a box or airline carrier) to FPWC.

OPOSSUMS: An opossum measuring 9" long from nose to base of tail is independent of mom and on its own.

Opossums are marsupials; they carry their young in a pouch (just like a kangaroo). If you find an opossum smaller than 7" out of mom's pouch, it is probably an orphan or sick. Step back and look around to see if an adult opossum is nearby. If there is no sign of a parent animal, the baby or babies should be picked up and transferred to FPWC.

SQUIRRELS: Unless you see a baby that is very young with closed eyes, or an animal that looks lethargic or sick that is outside of a den or nest, it might not be an orphan. At a certain age the babies will venture out to discover their surroundings. If they look like miniature adult squirrels and are bright and alert, keep your distance. Try to watch for a while to see if mom is nearby. If you feel certain that you've found an orphan, a sick or injured baby, transfer as soon as possible to FPWC.

FOX OR SKUNK: Follow directions for squirrels above.

YOU'VE DETERMINED A RESCUE IS NEEDED

When picking up a wild animal, even a baby, always remember that the animal is viewing you as a predator and will do anything within its power to get away from you or defend what it perceives as an attack on its life. The behavior of a wild animal is unpredictable and can go from placid and unresponsive to dangerous in a split second. Always use caution and protect yourself by handling the animal with gloves or a towel if possible.

Before attempting the rescue, prepare a box (with breathing holes punched into the top and sides), container or airline crate of the appropriate size for the animal, and lined with a soft cloth. Wear gloves or have a towel handy. The object is to scoop the animal into the box using the towel, and quickly cover the top securely to prevent escape.

KEEP IT WARM: Place the animal in the box or airline crate and keep it warm (about 80 degrees). Very young animals, particularly those whose eyes haven 't opened yet, cannot regulate their body temperature and, without warmth a sick or injured animal could go into shock and die due to hypothermia. (Suggested heat sources are either a heating pad placed half under the rescue container or a hot water bottle wrapped in a thick towel. When providing a heat source it is important to make sure the source is covered to prevent the animal from coming into direct contact with it and getting burned. It is necessary for the animal to be able move off the heated area if it becomes too warm.)

KEEP IT DARK AND QUIET: Leave the animal in its rescue container, making sure there are breathing holes. Keep the animal away from pets and children to keep stress to a minimum. A wild animal can die from stress alone and a frightened animal, even a baby can bite.

DO NOT FEED ANYTHING: Wildlife babies have specific mile needs that vary tremendously from one species to another. Giving a baby the wrong formula or feeding a dehydrated animal can be fatal.

The above instructions are the most important steps you can take for the rescued animal until it can be brought to FPWC.

DO NOT ATTEMPT TO RAISE A WILDLIFE BABY

Florida's native wildlife have diverse and specific needs in their diets and husbandry. Our wildlife rehabilitation staff has the knowledge of these specific needs and the ability to raise those babies untamed and ready to release back to freedom in the wild, where they belong.