Spring
is here, buds are peeking up from the snow, and new life has begun.
I received four tiny orphan baby fox squirrels just a few weeks ago.
Today they are healthy and growing strong. They are a little over
150 grams in weight, eat every 4 hours 5 times a day, and need constant
warmth and care. In about four months they will be wild and crazy
junior squirrels, and ready for release. Even after five months of
very little sleep, loads and loads of “wild baby” laundry,
a couple pounds of squirrel formula and food, cleaning, watering,
band-aids, and worry, I will still shed a tear of joy that these baby
squirrels will have a second chance at a life in the wild. Though
they will be off and climbing trees I will still be busy raising other
orphans still in my care. Baby raccoons show up at any time, cottontails
will follow; porcupine and beavers all keep me up and running.
Spring and summer are by far the busiest time of the year for a wildlife
rehabilitator. There are many ways that you, the homeowner, can help
us as well as the wildlife around you.
These are a few suggestions:
•
Never try to raise wildlife on your own. A Licensed Wildlife Rehabilitator
is trained in wildlife care and the baby has the best chance of living
a healthy life, and going back to the wild with others of its own
kind when cared for by a rehabilitator. Plus, keeping wildlife is
against the law unless you have a special permit and/or license issued
through the Colorado Division of Wildlife.
• Think twice before removing a wild baby. Look around you,
do you see the mother and/or father? Even if you don’t they
may be close by. Many animal parents leave the nest during the day
and return in the evening. This is very common with rabbits and deer.
Mother Raccoons leave their babies in the evening to gather food,
and return at dawn. Fox and coyote will raise young together.
• If you think a wild baby is truly orphaned, before you remove
it contact a wildlife rehabilitator or Colorado Division of Wildlife
for special instructions - 303-291-7227. The best chance for wildlife
to thrive is with its parent(s). Baby squirrels can be put up in the
tree it was found under in a small basket. The mother, if you see
her around will come down and move her babies to another nest. After
placing the basket in the tree watch from a distance for a few hours
for the mom. If the baby hasn’t been claimed by dusk, take it
down and call a wildlife rehabber or the Colorado Division of Wildlife.
• Baby Raccoons from a chimney or attic can be placed in a warm
box with a few t-shirts, place a hot water bottle in as well to keep
them warm. The box can be placed next to the house, right below the
chimney and there is a good chance the mama raccoon will come back
at dusk and claim her babies.
•
When attempting to reunite babies and mamas, please keep your children
and pets from coming in contact with the wildlife. If you know the
baby is truly orphaned, use gloved hands and place the babe or babies
in a pet carrier with t-shirts or a sweat shirt. Place a hot water
bottle inside a sock or t-shirt and place it close to the babies.
Place the carrier in a dark, quiet room, away from children and pets
and call CDOW @ 303-291-7227 or a wildlife rehabilitator.
Do not attempt to feed or offer water to the wildlife, this can do
more harm than good, and eventually cause the death of the wildlife
you are trying to save.
I could
go on and on about wildlife rescue, but I only have so much room,
I will have more information for you next month so if you have questions
and concerns, please contact:
• Colorado Division of Wildlife @ 303-291-7227
or go to their web site @ www.wildlife.state.co.us
• Greenwood Wildlife Rehabilitation Sanctuary Emergency
Hotline @ 303-823-8455 or go to their web site @
www.greenwoodwildlife.org.
Baby Fox Squirrels (left) about 2weeks old, three girls
and one boy; (right) growing and growing... below: fat, furry and healthy!
Photos by Peggy Wrabetz
Read Part 1 of "Keeping
them wild"
