Associated Press
Most baby animals that appear to be lost are not; the parent is often nearby. In most cases, humans should let the animal be and leave so the parent will return. There are some exceptions. Here is a guide.
When in doubt, call a rehabilitator. Your local animal shelter can help you find one, or check the Web site of the National Wildlife Rehabilitators Association, http://www.nwrawildlife.org.
Baby rabbit
Leave it alone if:
- It's at least as big as a tennis ball and eating grass.
- It's in a nest and the mother is caring for it. Check by placing a couple of light twigs across the nest and coming back the next day to see if they've been disturbed.
Call a rehabilitator if:
- You've checked as above and the nest is abandoned.
- The nest has been destroyed, such as by a dog.
Baby squirrel
Leave it alone if:
- The mother is attending to it. Baby squirrels can fall from trees and be uninjured.
Call a rehabilitator if:
- You saw it attacked by another animal.
- It is following people around.
Baby bird
Leave it alone if:
- It's mostly covered with feathers.
- You see parents caring for it.
- It's hard to catch; if it can get away from you it's probably healthy.
Call a rehabilitator if:
- It's injured or was attacked by a cat.
- It's sitting in the open asleep.
- If you see no parents taking care of it after going away and giving them a chance to return.
A baby deer
Leave it alone if:
- It's lying quietly and is not being bothered by flies. The mother will leave it alone while she grazes.
Call a rehabilitator if:
- The baby is not moving to get flies off it; it may be ill or injured.
- You know the mother is dead - such as a fawn found beside a dead adult.
- NOTE: Do not attempt to approach a deer over about 15 pounds; both you and the deer may be injured. Deer can kill an adult human!
In all cases, if an animal is obviously injured, with a broken limb or bleeding, call a rehabilitator.
