Geaux Wild Rehab

02/29/2024

The babies are doing great. Their wounds are healing and they love their formula. They are being fed every 4 hours and have gained about 6g each

02/29/2024

Moms...it could be worse...you could have up to 13 babies hanging on you at one time😳😵‍💫

In all seriousness though, this is what happens when the babies are out of the pouch. They will hold onto mom's fur and piggyback ride around. We get a lot of babies in that have fallen off of mom. If you find an orphaned little opossum please carefully pick it up(wear gloves or use a towel) and contain it in something safe, keep it warm and reach out for a wildlife rehabber to help. Opossums don't usually know they've lost a baby so we won't recommend trying to reunite

02/28/2024

Very interesting and worth reading. Opossums are not immune to rabies but it's rare for them to get rabies. Always take precautions because the risk is there with all animals and they may not be showing signs yet.

This past week, a Virginia Opossum admitted to the Center tested positive for rabies after being trapped in a relatively busy area of Wi******er. She was one of many positive animals in Frederick/Clarke counties in the past few months.

This is NOT a cause for alarm, but this case serves as a reminder that rabies is endemic in our area and that all mammals can become infected with rabies.

If you find any mammal in need, NEVER handle that animal directly with bare hands - the health department had to be contacted in this case because finders were observed petting her. After the health department investigated the situation further, they determined that testing was necessary due to likely exposure.

Even small, seemingly "safe" animals, like infant mice or squirrels, should be contained using appropriate personal protective equipment. For more dangerous mammals, always contact a permitted rehabilitator/Animal Control Officer for advice PRIOR to capture. Though rabies is not a concern in non-mammals, there are zoonotic diseases in all taxa and precautions should always be taken.

Like all animals that must be euthanized for testing at our local health department, clinical signs and suspicion of disease are NOT a factor in whether or not an animal is tested. Requests for testing are made by the health department, based on direct exposure. For cases of suspected rabies where exposure was not a concern, bodies are submitted to a surveillance program run by the United States Department of Agriculture.

Once symptoms develop, rabies is 100% fatal. Unlike some domestic species, wild species do not have known/valid quarantine time frames. Exposed pets and humans need post exposure treatment ASAP to prevent the onset of symptoms and death that would quickly follow. As a result, rabies exposures must be taken seriously.

We are fortunate in the U.S. to have very few human cases of rabies (just 1-3 reported annually), largely due to the proper reporting and treatment of exposed individuals. Though we have largely controlled canine rabies in our country by disallowing free roaming dogs and requiring vaccines, cats remain the fourth most common rabies positive species in our state. Up to date rabies vaccination status should never be assumed in an unknown free-roaming animal (domestic or wild) and efforts should be made to avoid physical contact.

Please help us protect wildlife that comes to the Center by using appropriate protection and closely following rehabilitator’s advice during a rescue. Help reduce the prevalence and risk of rabies by ensuring your dogs and cats are up to date on their rabies vaccines and never leave pets outdoors unsupervised/unleashed.

If you are bitten by a wild mammal or free-roaming cat or dog, please do not panic! Report the bite to your doctor when you get the wound assessed and report to your local health department. If it is a dog or cat and the owner is nearby, be sure to ask them about rabies vaccine status.

02/27/2024

Please read. Maybe one day rodentcides will be banned everywhere

Note: The following article was published for the state of Massachusetts, but it applies to all states and countries using rodenticides.

Wildlife and rodenticide - Learn how you can manage rodent problems without rodenticide.

Residents, business (including restaurant) owners, and building managers can choose from a variety of management options to prevent and resolve rodent problems. By avoiding rodenticide, especially second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides (SGARs), you can greatly reduce the risk of harm to wildlife as well as pets.

How to proactively prevent rodent problems
* Remove any sources of food rodents eat, especially bird seed and garbage.
* Close or repair any exterior openings that may allow rodents to enter.
* Secure any food for pets, poultry, and livestock in animal-proof containers.
How to safely respond to rodent problems
* Start with baited snap traps. They provide a faster and more humane death, and they are comparatively safer and easier to use.
* As a last resort, only use poisons enclosed in bait stations, and follow the product label instructions.
* If you hire a company, choose a licensed provider that uses integrated pest management approaches and avoids relying solely on poisons. Ask your provider for alternative options instead of SGARs.
Rodenticide consumption harms wildlife
Second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides (SGARs) prevent blood from clotting, causing fatal internal hemorrhage. SGARs can poison wildlife in two ways: 1) primary poisoning when a non-targeted animal eats the bait and dies several days later, or 2) secondary poisoning when a predator or scavenger eats prey that has eaten the poisoned bait. Anticoagulants bioaccumulate, or build up over time, in animals that consume large quantities of rodents that have consumed these poisons. Secondary poisoning has been documented in birds of prey like eagles, hawks, and owls, as well as mammals like foxes, fishers, bobcats, and coyotes. In Massachusetts, secondary poisoning from SGARs were found to be the confirmed cause of death of two bald eagles in 2021 and a contributing cause of death to another bald eagle in 2023. SGAR poisoning also can be attributed to the non-targeted death of many of those other predatory species listed above. It is important to note that unsupervised dogs and cats are vulnerable to this type of exposure. In addition to impacts on animal circulatory systems, recent research in California indicates secondary rodenticide poisoning can compromise the immune system of carnivores, including bobcats, making them more susceptible to diseases such as mange.
Rodenticide use has become more restricted.
Consumer retailers are now federally prohibited from selling SGARs, meaning most people no longer buy them for use at home. Current use of SGARs is limited to licensed pest controllers, as well as certain agricultural users. Except under highly regulated permitting conditions, it is illegal for anyone to place any poisons outdoors (including rodenticides).
You can help
Individual and community decisions on rodent management, such as removing or securing food sources and utilizing alternative control measures, can make a difference for wildlife species all around us. If you see wildlife showing signs of illness, please contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator for advice before taking any action. You also can help by sharing these resources with friends and family members.
More rodent resources:
* Find a licensed Problem Animal Control agent
* How to file a pesticide complaint
* Controlling Rodents and Regulating Rodenticides | US EPA
* Researchers Investigate Rodenticides and Mange in Bobcats | US NPS (2017)
* Risks of Rodent Poisons to Birds of Prey (TuftsNow, 2020)
* How to Spoil an Owl’s Dinner (Massachusetts Wildlife, 2014)

02/27/2024

Two more baby squirrels today. The female is missing part of her tail and has quite a few cuts all over. The male has a few small cuts on his tail. They had quite a few fleas on them so I gave them a warm bath. They took some hydration fluids and are snuggled up together

02/25/2024

😥

Half of a poisoned mouse…that’s all it took to seal the fate of two Callimico monkeys at the Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo. This is according to an inspection report from the USDA.

When your pest control companies tell you that poisoning rodents does not affect your local wildlife, they couldn’t be more mistaken…

After seeing the devastation that rat poison can cause, the zoo has changed its rodent protocols not to include any chemical rodent control.

Wildlife rehabbers see it far too often. Rest in peace little ones. We will keep fighting this fight until laws are changed.

02/23/2024

Copied from All Things Wild Rescue and Rehabilitation

Baby Opossum fact... opossums do not “nurse” from their mom. Mom has what is like feeding tubes instead of teats, 13 of them, 12 of them in a circle and 1 in the center within her pouch. THEREFORE, when infant opossums are rescued we rehabbers have been trained on how to tube feed them because they don’t nurse or suck a bottle/nipple. It is a very intricate type of feeding using special tubes.
So if you find baby opossums your job is to keep them warm and find a rehabber asap.
Opossums are not rodents, they are marsupials. Babies are born at only 12 days after their parents mate! The babies had no placenta and finish physical development in the pouch. Therefore they are super small, about the size of a small honeybee. Moms can have up to 25 babies in one litter, however the first 13 to crawl to her pouch and swallow her feeding tubes (which then swell up in their mouth so they will stay latched) will be able to survive. They do not have umbilical cords, therefore they need their mom's milk for all of their immunities. Never feed any wildlife cow milk.

So if you find a severely hurt mom and babies, please try to bring mama with the babies because she can be treated too. As long as we can keep her alive it gives her babies a better chance, that is what she would want too.

If you have any questions about these amazing animals, please don’t hesitate to contact us

Baby Opossum fact... opossums do not “nurse” from their mom. Mom has what is like feeding tubes instead of teats, 13 of them, 12 of them in a circle and 1 in the center within her pouch. THEREFORE, when infant opossums are rescued we rehabbers have been trained on how to tube feed them because they don’t nurse or suck a bottle/nipple. It is a very intricate type of feeding using special tubes.
So if you find baby opossums your job is to keep them warm and find a rehabber asap.
Opossums are not rodents, they are marsupials. Babies are born at only 12 days after their parents mate! The babies had no placenta and finish physical development in the pouch. Therefore they are super small, about the size of a small honeybee. Moms can have up to 25 babies in one litter, however the first 13 to crawl to her pouch and swallow her feeding tubes (which then swell up in their mouth so they will stay latched) will be able to survive. They do not have umbilical cords, therefore they need their mom's milk for all of their immunities. Never feed any wildlife cow milk.

So if you find a severely hurt mom and babies, please try to bring mama with the babies because she can be treated too. As long as we can keep her alive it gives her babies a better chance, that is what she would want too.

If you have any questions about these amazing animals, please don’t hesitate to contact us if you are not in Texas we can help locate your rehabber near you as well

02/21/2024

Harold and Percy showing off those pearly whites this morning while I clean their cage😆

02/20/2024

Not wildlife related but if you're like me and love reading take a peek at the Berry Bookish Sisters here on Facebook and TikTok. I'm excited to say that Sadey is my soon to be daughter in law and she and her sister recently started this business. Show some support for these beautiful ladies and help them get this dream going 📚🩷

Check out Berry Bookish Sisters's video.

02/20/2024

THIS 1000 times!! Please teach your kids responsibility and the right thing to do when an orphan is found. They will thank you for it later. It's hard on their little hearts but is better to be honest and teach the right thing than to risk that animals life and have your child heartbroken when it dies. I always try to send updates when there are kids involved so that they still feel like they are a part of the journey with the animal.
And always - get the animal safely contained, keep it warm and reach out for assistance right away. Do not feed it anything. Do not allow kids/adults to hold and cuddle at all.
Please work with us and have the animals best interest as a priority always 🩷

Baby season is here. Please DO NOT keep them because they are cute or because your kids are attached and will be upset. Hercules is an example, they meant well, didn't intend or mean to harm him but wound up aspirating (gettimg fluid in lungs) him trying to get him to take fluids.

02/18/2024

Perfectly worded. I am forever explaining to kind hearted people that holding and cuddling a wild bunny is actually harming it and not helping it. And this goes for all species...they are afraid even though their body language may not show it. Get them safe, keep them warm and in a quiet place and call your local wildlife rehabber immediately. They aren't toys to play with
Animal Help Now is a great resource for finding local rehabbers and if you are in Louisiana you can look at the LDWF listing for assistance
https://www.wlf.louisiana.gov/page/permitted-wildlife-rehabilitators

Baby season is so close so I thought I would share this little piece. It is long but so worth the read.

Here is a little education piece from the perspective of a cottontail rabbit.

I am a wildlife rehabilitator and I just received a call about a small rabbit that has been hit by a car. I advice the caller to bring the rabbit in and I start preparing the environment to eliminate as much stress as possible for the rabbit’s arrival.

But have you ever thought about what the rabbit has been through that day?

Trade places with the rabbit for just a minute. Suppose you’re hopping along a meadow and you decide to cross a piece of concrete, and you get hit by a huge predator (car), which breaks your leg. You are then picked up by another predator (human) and given to a small predator (child), then placed inside the huge predator car). The small predator (child) starts to squeeze the life out of you so you tense up and freeze and try to make yourself invisible, as you’re supposed to do in the presence of a predator. The large predator (the mother) yells at the small predator (child) and puts you into a dark den (box). Just when you think everything is settling down, you hear a very loud noise that won’t stop (real rock radio), the huge predator (car) starts to shake and move.

You are taken out of your nice safe den (box) and find yourself in a larger den that is not very dark or quiet (house). Immediately many small predators (children) gather around staring at you. They start hitting you (petting) and shoving all sorts of stuff at you to eat. Again you remain very still, hoping to become invisible so they will leave you alone. The large predator (mother) is talking on a phone to someone you can’t see (wildlife rehabilitator). She explains that they found you and want to keep you for a pet, but you just won’t eat. Silence. The large predator says emphatically, you are very sweet and couldn’t possibly be stressed because you’re sitting very still letting everyone pet you. More silence. The large predator then tells the little predators that they have to put back into the den (box) and take you to something called a rehabilitator. You are now hoping for a quick death.

We all love wildlife and a baby bunny is small cute and fluffy. BUT please remember this story - they are not pets and spend their life evading predators and that is exactly what you are to them. Teach your children how to help wildlife. Do not pet it, place it in a dark box in a quiet room. Keep it warm and call a rehabber for help. You are an important piece in this process and can teach your child so much about the respect we need to have for wildlife. Show them how we can coexist with our fellow animals.💕

02/18/2024

Thank you to everyone that donated on the last $5 Friday post on Feb 9...your kind donations bought all of this for the 4 nutrias this week

6 bags of kale, sweet potatoes, apples, green beans, sugar snap peas, cauliflower, zuchinni, carrots and bok choy.

I truly could not do this without your support.
Thank you🥰
Yes I bought an organic cauliflower because the regular ones were gross today 🤢

02/18/2024

Newest intakes here and the first baby squirrels for 2024. Reuniting wasn't possible💔my heart always goes out to the moms...these are very healthy babies and she was doing an amazing job caring for them.

They will only be here for about 24 hours and then they will be placed with one of my subs.

02/17/2024

This is about the coyote in the post I shared right before this one a few minutes ago.

We have to do better. Every life matters. Every species serves a purpose. Keep parks clean and pick up leftover food. Teach kids that it's not ok to feed wildlife. They do not need us helping them. What they need is for us to peacefully co-exist with them and be smart about our own actions. Protect your chickens, ducks, rabbits, small dogs, cats etc...that is YOUR job as their owner. If you can't do that then don't have them. If you can't spend the extra money to have a properly built coop/cage/enclosure that is predator proof then you don't need the animal in your care. It's not wildlife killing your animals, it's you. Failing to protect them is why they are killed by a predator. I have very strong feelings about this. Killing a predator or any wildlife species for simply doing what they have to do to survive is wrong. They have to eat. They will hunt to survive. They will eat from your bird feeders, squirrel feeders, deer feeders etc...they will catch small prey if the opportunity presents itself. They do not know this is your family pet. They are hungry. Protect what is yours and don't take chances.
I'm not trying to upset anyone by sharing this. I know some will strongly disagree. I have learned so much in the last few years and I am always hoping if I reach just one person and change their views then I've done something positive for our wildlife.

This beautiful Poem was sent to me by a dear friend who wishes to be anonymous.
Yes I named the coyote “Arlington”so everyone will remember what happened to him!

RIP - our dear park Coyote “Arlington”

Poem:

 For I was just a Coyote.

I came into this world with my brothers and sisters and a proud mother who fed us, protected us, and kept us warm.

We learned to be Coyotes, hunting, playing, socializing in the brushy woods around us.

Oh the fun we had running at night, yipping to each other, playing chase and forging for food, a rat here, roots and berries there, it didn't matter we were happy.

Then one day a feeling came over me and it was time to find a mate. I did and we found a creekbed where we could snuggle together and stay warm.

My mate started changing, getting fatter and didn't go on our nightly runs and howls as nuch and I like a good father stayed to by her side.

One day I heard some young humans, the footsteps grew louder and louder as they approached.

As my mate trembled in fear, it took all the courage I had to spring out of our den and the small humans ran away.

I feared they would be back, In the days to come they would return, taunting us and throwing rocks.

I nipped at one, two three to make them go away and leave us alone.

Now, I see other bigger humans setting up food for us.

It smells good but I have never seen a bush like this, it doesn't smell and its cold like a rock but the food inside smells inviting.

I think I will grab it for my mate

Wait, what happened, I can't get out of this bush, I am trapped,

Later I awake, missing my mate, knowing she is hungry because I did not return.

Here comes a big human, he picks this thing and carries me. As he does, I see the creek where my brothers and sisters splashed and played.

I can see my den in the distance, my mates ear artched high, I can smell her but I am being carried further and further away from my home.

I'm now surrounded by other humans holding big things, theres noises, I cant understand them but I am scared.

Maybe if I lay low they wont see me.

A strange thing is around my neck I am being pulled out no, no I want to go to my den and feel the warmth of my mate. no no.

Soon I am in a darkened area, my legs are not on the ground but we are moving. What is going on. All I was doing was trying to provide and protect my mate.

Now I am pulled out and taken to an area that has an odd smell, bright lights. I'm thirsty, I'm hungry.

Two men approach me, one holds me down, another on my side. I feel a prick into my skin and I want to fight but I can't..

My legs don't work, I see a bright light and terrible coldness overcoming my body.

I begin to think of my days on this earth, a beautiful creature of God, just trying to survive.

As the darkness approaches, I think of my mate, my litter mates and the life I had and I wonder what did I do wrong, why is this happening to me.

All I did was what came naturally to me, but it seems no one cares, my voice will never be heard, my life did not matter, for I was just a Coyote.

02/17/2024

Copied from Karin Hargrave Saucedo

Wildlife-proof your food trash at home or anywhere you congregate and keep any outdoor snacks sealed and contained! Especially in strollers and kid's backpacks! Coyotes have a keen sense of smell and it will be attractive to them - even a dirty diaper will seem interesting to them. They all have unique personalities and some coyotes will take higher risks and come closer to humans in hopes of getting an easy meal. Overflowing food trash will attract all wild animals to places where humans congregate. If a public park has overflowing trash from a recent gathering or event call your city Code department and have them remove the trash immediately! Some HOAs are responsible for this in public areas that belong to the HOA. Never leave food trash exposed! It changes the behavior and the health of wildlife when they have easy access to human food sources.

The coyote captured on Feb. 15 at Parkway Central Park has tested negative for rabies, according to Texas Health and Human Services.

The coyote was believed responsible for biting three children at the park in separate incidents. It was subsequently captured and humanely euthanized for testing.

Following these reports, the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Wildlife Services surveyed the park overnight. USDA staff did not observe any coyotes within the park space, but they did observe two coyotes in the surrounding area. The coyotes did not display any concerning behavior at that time, and the USDA staff does not consider them a threat to the public at this time.

Police officers will remain present for pedestrian safety through the end of the school day at Jones Academy of Fine Arts and Dual Language.

Out of an abundance of caution, Parkway Central Park, 600 Van Buren Drive, will remain closed to the public until Tuesday, Feb. 20.

USDA staff did notice the presence of multiple overflowing trash containers in the area, which can attract coyotes to inhabited areas. The City encourages residents to ensure all trash is contained within their trash carts with lids closed.

Residents are encouraged to make online reports of coyote sightings in Arlington by visiting the City’s Action Center webpage and scrolling down to “Wildlife Sighting.”

Read more: https://www.arlingtontx.gov/news/my_arlington_t_x/news_stories/coyote_activity

02/17/2024

Great information about all of the bat species here in Louisiana. If by chance you need assistance with a bat please reach out and I can give you contact information for bat rehabbers. We have quite a few in this area. Never pick up a bat bare handed. Always wear gloves and be careful. Some bats can bite and you won't know you've been bitten. Take the necessary precautions to keep yourself safe

BATS
Did you know? We also rehab bats! 🦇 We’ve updated our website to include info on what to do if you’ve found a bat. The link is provided below.

LOUISIANA BAT BASICS:
There are 12 species of bats that are native to Louisiana. Some common species that can be seen flying around at dusk include the Hoary Bat, the Big Brown Bat, the Little Brown Bat, the Eastern Red Bat, and the Evening Bat.

The largest ones found in Louisiana are the Hoary Bat and the Big Brown Bat, which have up to 16-inch wingspans. The smallest would be the Tricolored Bat, whose wingspan can be as small as 7 inches.

VESPER BATS:
The majority of Bats found in Louisiana are Vesper bats.
Vesper bats, also known as Evening Bats or common bats and were once referred to as "Evening Birds". Vesper bats are the largest and best-known family of bats.

FREE-TAILED BATS:
Free-tailed bats are so named because the end of their tail visibly extends beyond the edge of the tail membrane. The Mexican Free-tailed bats, also known as Brazillian Free-tailed bats are commonly found in urban areas and readily roost in human-made structures like houses, bridges, and tunnels. Potential conservation threats to this species include climate change, wind energy development, accumulation of pesticides in their diet, and persecution.

SKEETER-EATERS:
All of the bat species that live in Louisiana are insectivores, meaning they eat a lot of moths, flies, wasps, ants, mosquitoes and more.

✅Learn what to do if you’ve found a bat: https://www.forthebirdsofacadiana.com/found-a-bat

🦇If you’ve found a grounded bat or a bat hanging down low, use puncture proof gloves or a thick cloth to scoop the bat up, and place it inside of a cardboard box with a lid. Leave a cloth in the box, and a very shallow dish of water (similar to a jar lid.) Secure the lid shut and place the box somewhere indoors, away from children and pets. DO NOT handle the bat barehanded, do not attempt to feed, do not release the bat.
DO call us at 1-337-501-4523

Graphic: Animal Spot

02/17/2024

Parents please educate your children. They need to know the laws. You are responsible for them. This barred owl lost his life because of kids shooting at him with a pellet gun. Owls are federally protected and this is a crime. Why do kids think shooting animals for fun is ok?!?!

Update: one pellet was found imbedded in feathers but none in the body. Sadly, it passed away from either internal injuries or rodentcide poisoning. It began bleeding from mouth and re**um. Thank you Alysa Muse for rescuing this barred owl that was being shot with pellet guns by a group of kids in Morgan City🤬 it is on its way to me.

02/17/2024

Thank you Deborah for this kind gift off of the Amazon wishlist! The timing is perfect because I only have a few left in the container I am currently using🥰

02/16/2024

Here at MWC, we are passionate about protecting NH’s wildlife, and promote compassionate coexistence. We find coyotes often cause heightened emotions when we post about them.

Myth: mange afflicted coyotes are more likely to attack people or pets

Fact: although coyotes with mange look unusual due to their hair loss, these animals are often weak. They are seen more often during the day, because the sun is keeping them warm.

If you are noticing coyotes in your area, avoid feeding pets outside, or remove their food after an hour. Keep cats indoors and do not leave dogs unattended. A coyote’s diet is typically small mammals like mice, rabbits, and squirrels, but they are opportunistic and will eat fruit, birds, and carrion.  When they see your pets as a threat to their territory, or if they are feeding a family with hungry pups, they will expand their choice of food. Seen here is Champ, admitted in Nov. 2023, with mange. He is scheduled to be released this spring. 🐾❤️

02/15/2024

Amazing photo and from Kentucky Wildlife Center, Inc.

Just a reminder that it’s wildlife baby season!

This is a picture of three very young baby raccoons that were found in a chimney and brought to us. The family that found these babies vowed to try and capture the mother so that she could be reunited with her babies.

The mother was found and brought to us!!! After a quick vet exam, she was reunited with her babies.

Our hearts are full knowing that this family could be together again and be slow released once the babies are old enough.

Not all stories have this happy ending. All too often, mothers are trapped, and the babies are later found...cold, crying, and hungry. Sadly, the mothers are often killed or relocated to a location that is completely unfamiliar. Although the traps are called “humane”, they are anything but. It’s estimated that up to 90% of animals that are dropped off somewhere else die within 2 weeks.

Remember wild animals want the same things we do: to survive another day and to take care of their families.

Kindness, compassion, and coexistence do make a difference.