08/05/2024
Wanted to post a quick reminder to people about wildlife babies. While we are moving toward mid-summer, there are still babies showing up around the area. With all the recent storms, there may be an increase in displaced young ones so here are some quick things to remember if you encounter what you believe is a lost, abandoned, orphaned, or otherwise baby in need:
Make sure they actually need intervention. Each year, countless babies are kidnapped by well-meaning finders who didn't realize that mom was coming back. Certain species, like rabbits, are not with their babies during the day. They show up at dawn and dusk to feed, then leave. Place the bunny back in the nest and do a string test. Place a red string (or other noticeable color) in the shape of an X over the nest. Recheck in the morning. If the string is moved, mom has been there so leave the babies in the nest and protect the next with an overturned laundry basket or whatever until they are weaned and move on. Obviously cut a small doorway for mom to fit thru, but not cats/dogs/etc. Baby rabbits are very difficult to successfully rehab if they are found before their eyes are open. Even older ones tend to die suddenly after seeming to be fine. It is always best to leave them in the nest and only remove if you are certain mom isn't coming.
If you determine the baby is in need of help, place them in a box, or other container, and warm them. Blankets and towels will not be enough. Most babies cannot thermoregulate, meaning they can't generate their own heat to keep them warm. You must provide an external source. You can use a heating pad, hot water bottle, hot pack...just make sure you leave a "cool" are in their box so they can move away from the heat source should they get too warm.
Never attempt to feed them before contacting a knowledgeable rehabber, even if you think the baby looks like or acts like its starving. Feeding babies when they are too cold will lead to death. Feeding the babies solid foods when they are still nursing and not ready for solids will lead to death. Feeding babies the wrong type of milk will lead to death. Cow's milk is not okay to feed any wildlife. Human breast milk will not work either. You will do more harm than good. I don't care if your old aunt Tessa raised wild rabbits on cow's milk and lard, please just don't. It makes the rehabber's job that much harder to undo, if they even can, any damage caused by feeding them.
If after you've warmed the baby up but haven't been able to get ahold of a rehabber for further direction, you can try to hydrate them with plain Pedialyte using a needle-less syringe or eye dropper. Do not use sports drinks. They have too many electrolytes and will shock the baby's system, leading to death. Some species, if too young, will not be able to take oral liquids at all. These babies will either need fluids via subcutaneous route (if you're a medically inclined person, you know what this means) or require tube feedings (baby possums generally). Unless you've been trained by your vet to do Sub-q fluids, please don't. Unless you've been trained by a rehabber to tube feed, please don't. Both techniques require special equipment and using the wrong items or performing the procedure incorrectly can lead to death.
If after you've warmed the baby and rehydrated the baby (for at least the first 24 hours), you must get the baby to a licensed or sub-permitted rehabber. It is illegal for anyone who is not licensed or sub-permitted to hold wildlife longer than 24 hours. I see so many people offering to take wildlife that someone has found to try and raise because they've always wanted a pet raccoon, or rabbit, or squirrel, or whatever. Please just don't. You can't get that baby vet care because they are not allowed to provide treatment for you if you are not licensed or sub-permitted. Many won't even see wildlife anyway. If DNR were to find out you have a wild animal(s), you can be fined big $$$, up to $20,000, per animal. The animal will be confiscated and euthanized and you can even face jail time, up to 5 years. If you want a pet, find a USDA breeder and go about getting one the legal way. There are breeders who do wildlife species, even in Indiana.
If you find a rehabber who can take the baby, but either they can't get to you or you can't get the baby to them within 24 hours, they may advise you on how to feed the baby until the exchange can happen. Please follow their instructions and don't substitute anything without asking. If you can't find a required ingredient, tell them and they will find an alternative.
Wildlife cannot cross state lines. If you find a baby in Indiana, you cannot legally take them across the river to Broadbent, Second Chances or any rehabber in Kentucky. Yes those places are awesome, but if you call them and tell them you found a baby in Indiana, they legally can't take them.
KMR or Kitten Milk Replacement is no longer advised for raccoons. If you google what to feed a baby raccoon, you will likely see this referenced as a suggested formula. That is incorrect. The formulation for kitten milk has changed and now has higher Taurine levels, which is toxic to raccoons.
Relocating wildlife, like removing a possum stuck in a window well and putting him in the yard so he can go about is business, is ok to do. Translocating wildlife, when you trap and move the animal miles away, is illegal, for many reasons. It can also lead to liability issues for you. There are ways to safely and humanely encourage wildlife to leave your property. Contact DNR if you need assistance.
Each state has a list of licensed rehabbers. You can find these online. There are currently no licensed wildlife rehabbers in Southern Indiana. There is 1 for bird species, and she is in Floyd county. Her name and number are listed on the Indiana DNR wildlife rehabber registry. The closest wildlife rehabbers are in Bloomington and farther North.
I am the only sub-permitted rehabber in our area (that I know of). Hopefully I will be listed under my own license in the next couple of months. Until then, if you find a baby in need, please contact me by PM and I will do my best to help.
