Top 10 tips for Wildlife

What everyone should know about wild animals


baby_racoon250px.png1. If I touch a baby animal, will the mother reject it?

No; this is a myth! Most birds will even take on others’ babies placed in their nests. If you find a baby bird or squirrel, return it to the nest if possible.

2. How do I know if an animal is orphaned?

Great question! Spotted fawns and baby rabbits may look like orphans, but really they’re left alone for hours at a time while their moms find food. Outside of seeing its dead mother nearby, other signs of orphaned babies are: Feces or maggots on the animal; Dehydration (crinkly skin, sunken eyes); Bleeding; Lying on its side or Limping; Sitting on the road, not trying to move away from traffic.

3. What if I find an injured or orphaned wild animal?

In most cases, leave the animal alone, and if you’re in Washtenaw County, contact HSHV’s 24/7 wildlife rescuers at 734-661-3512. If you’re outside the county, contact an appropriate agency—the DNR can help. If the animal appears to be an abandoned baby in immediate danger, it is okay to wear gloves and place it in a dark, warm, quiet, safe place while you wait for advice from Emergency Rescue or a wildlife rehabilitator. You can keep it warm with a blanket or towel, but try to handle the animal as little as possible, as stress can kill.

4. If I find a baby animal, should I feed it?

If you find a baby animal, please do not give it anything to eat or drink (not even water or milk!) unless instructed by a wildlife rehabilitator. Doing so can cause more harm than good.

Baby waiting for mother5. I’m seeing more wild animals during the day. Isn’t this unnatural?

With increasing development, wildlife is more visible than ever before. As humans expand our footprint, we’re becoming close neighbors with more and more animals. And as animals adapt, some are not only changing from being nocturnal to being diurnal—as well as losing their fear of humans and discovering what they like about humans’ habitat—e.g., gardens, garbage cans and more.

6. Deer are eating my plants. Does that mean they’re starving?

No. Many ornamental plants are “deer candy,” and, given access, they prefer them over other plants! See our website StoptheShoot.org for tips on deer-proofing your garden and landscape.

7. I like wildlife… just not in my home. Help!

The best way to discourage wild animals from visiting your home is to discontinue providing food sources (e.g., keeping pet food inside, lids on garbage cans) and to place physical barriers barring their entry (e.g., chimney caps, trees trimmed away from house, fences around gardens, covers on outdoor vents). HSUS (not related to HSHV) provides lots of handy information on their website. HSHV also provides humane wildlife removal services to Washtenaw County residents for a small fee.


Baby Opossum8. I’d love to get better pictures of wildlife. What’s the trick?

Besides being at the right place at the right time, wildlife photographers also say it’s important to be quiet (e.g., no cell phone and be careful about breaking twigs underfoot), be unscented (because many mammals can smell better than they can see), and be invisible (i.e., wear clothing that matches the environment).


9. Can weed spray or lawn fertilizers hurt wildlife or my pets?

Herbicides can contaminate water for wildlife—and for humans, and can be tracked in our houses by our own pets. A recent study found that a dog’s risk of malignant tumors increases by 70% due to exposure to herbicides typically used to treat lawns and that such chemicals are found even in dogs who live in homes with untreated lawns. Check out “Integrated Pest Management (IPM) for methods of pest control that minimize risks to others.

10. How can I do more for wildlife?

Besides advocating for humane co-existence with wildlife in your community and keeping your eyes out to help injured or abandoned wildlife, volunteers are needed! Rehabilitators are always in demand—and they require special training; ask wildlife organizations if they offer training. Space is always in demand, too; if you own land in Washtenaw County and are willing to allow rehabilitated wildlife to be released on your property, please contact Friends of Wildlife or Help 4 Wildlife.



 

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Humane Society of Huron Valley

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