animal that may need help
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- Does It Need Help?
Sometimes it is difficult to tell.
Assess this BEFORE handling the
animal.
Signs that an animal needs help:
- An obvious injury: blood,
broken bones or wings, cuts,
swelling - Unusual behavior: too tame,
convulsions, staggering,
limping, sickly looking - Appears thin, poor fur or
feathers, or cold - Excessive crying
Signs that it does not need help:
- Healthy, well grown animal
near nest, den or parent - Healthy fawn in or near cover
by itself. (Mother deer
“stash” fawns while feeding - Well feathered young bird
hopping or standing on legs. - These are old enough to
leave nest.
IF YOU THINK IT NEEDS HELP,
WHAT YOU CAN DO:
BABY ANIMALS OUT OF
THE NEST
Minimize all handling.
If you determine (after reading
further) that it does need to be
taken to a wildlife rehabilitator,
place the animal in a clean box with
a towel or newspaper. Keep it dry,
quiet and warm until you can reach
help
BABY BIRDS
(Birds cannot smell human scent,
and will not reject a baby that has
been touched-mammals can smell,
so extensive handling should be
avoided.
If the baby bird is still too young to
stand and perch, it can be returned
to its nest if you can find and reach
it.
If you can’t reach the nest, replace
the baby bird in a box nearby
above the reach of cats. Observe
from a distance.
Seek help if the parent does not
return in 4 hours.
If the "baby" bird is found on the
ground and hopping, but still
unable to fly DO NOT
try to rescue it unless it is clearly
injured. This bird is actually a
"teenager" or fledgling. Baby birds
often jump from the nest and
remain unflighted for 2 to 4 days.
Their parents continue to feed
them, while encouraging them to
forage for themselves.
This is an IMPORTANT
developmental stage. DO NOT
move the young bird or separate it
form the parents. Despite, cats,
kids and other dangers, it must
remain with its parents to learn
vital survival skills.
MAMMALS
Squirrels
Young baby squirrels on the
ground may be a sign of a dead
parent and should be helped
immediately!
Baby Rabbits
These are often found in the spring
while out mowing. The nest is a
shallow depression in the ground
covered with fur. Sometimes the
mower will injure or kill some of the
babies. Remove these and return
any others to the nest and cover
with the fur. The mother will return
to feed her young after dark.
To check if she has returned, place
2 pieces of yarn over the top of the
nest in an "X". Check in the
morning to see if the yarn has been
disturbed. If it has not the babies
may need help. Call a wildlife
rehabilitator.
Any cold, starving, sickly or injured baby or
adult needs immediate help. Place in a
cardboard box lined with cloth and cover
with a lid. Avoid extremes of temperature,
handling and noise.
DO NOT ATTEMPT TO FEED OR
WATER ANY ANIMAL UNLESS
DIRECTED TO DO SO BY A VET OR
REHABILITATOR
Use caution when handling any
wild animal. USE GLOVES. Their
normal defense when cornered is
to bite or scratch.
NEVER ATTEMPT TO HANDLE
SKUNKS OR
RACCOONS! They are dangerous
and can carry rabies, other
diseases and parasites.
THE GOAL OF WILDLIFE
REHABILITATION IS TO RETURN
HEALTHY ANIMALS TO THE WILD.
Wildlife rehabilitators work
together with conservation
officers, law enforcement and vets
to help when wildlife is injured or
orphaned.
Rehabbers must have state and
federal rehabilitation permits in
order to care for birds and
mammals.
Most birds and mammals are
protected by state or federal laws.
All rehabilitators are unpaid
volunteers. They receive no state
or federal compensation for their
many hours of work. Some
rehabbers accept donations to
offset the cost of the animals’
care. Donations of pet food,
cages, and pet carriers are often
welcomed.
needs help, call the:
Wildlife Rescue Hotline
(785) 575-1991
- The Effects of Humans
Each year thousands of wild animals are
found injured or orphaned. Knowing how
to find help for these animals will increase
their chances for survival.
From 60% to 90% of the injuries found in
wildlife are caused by human elements in
their habitat. Cars, window, power lines,
pets, traps, and garbage are but a few of
the man made hazards wild animals must
deal with.
Learn how to prevent injuries to animals
and what to do if you find an injured or
orphaned animal.
How to help prevent injuries to
wildlife:
- Dispose of garbage properly,
especially plastics, styrofoam and
hazardous chemicals
- Keep pets away from wildlife
- Cap chimneys and cover holes in
roof & siding
- Pick up fishing lines and hooks.
- WILD ANIMALS DO NOT
MAKE GOOD PETS
NEVER, NEVER try to keep wild birds
OR mammals as pets.
Their wild nature is different than a
dog or cats and will make it likely that
they will die of stress in captivity or
become aggressive as they get older.
If you are keeping the animal to "get the
experience" of raising it and then intend to
let it go, remember:
- Each species has special diet
requirements. If you feed the
animal incorrectly it may die or be
permanently damaged.
- Many species need special training
to prepare them to be wild. You
cannot just let it go and expect
"instinct" will take over.
- Habituated (use to humans) animals
can be dangerous as they mature,
as they have lost their fear of
humans.
- Many wild animals, especially
raccoons, carry diseases, such as
rabies, distemper, parvo and many
parasites, that can infect humans
and their pets . RACCOONS
SHOULD NEVER BE KEPT AS
PETS. EVER!
KEEPING A WILD BIRD OR
MAMMAL AS A PET IS ILLEGAL
IN THE STATE OF KANSAS.
Licensed wildlife rehabilitators are trained
on proper feeding, and preparing animals
for the wild.
WILDLIFE REHABILITATION
Northeast Kansas Wildlife Rescue, previously
known as Topeka Wildlife Rehabilitators, has
been rehabilitating wildlife in the northeast
Kansas area since 1991. We care for over
1500 animals per year in a six county area.
About 25 volunteer rehabbers work with NEK
Wildlife Rescue at the facility and out of their
homes providing care to all species of wild birds
and mammals, including raptors.
Volunteer rehabilitators must attend a basic
wildlife rehabilitation course given by the
International Wildlife Rehabilitation council and
remain supervised by experienced rehabilitators
and veterinary personnel.
All funding for wildlife rehabilitation is provided
by the rehabilitators themselves and through
donations.
Your tax deductible donation is greatly
appreciated and will help in defraying the costs
of expensive medication , first aid supplies and
specialized foods such as infant mammal
formula.
Northeast Kansas Wildlife Rescue is a state
and federally licensed wildlife
rehabilitation facility serving
Shawnee,Douglas, Jefferson, Wabaunsee,
Osage,and Brown counties, caring for all
species of wild birds and mammals,
including raptors.
