back to Health Care Library

Wild in Vermont - Spring Article

Wildlife rehabilitators are volunteers, licensed by the United States Fish & Wildlife Service and/or the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department, to provide for the care, and release back to the wild, of ill, orphaned, and injured wild animals. Wild in Vermont, Inc. was founded in 1997 to benefit rehabilitators in Vermont by providing continuing education and networking support.

In spring and summer, wildlife rehabilitators get many calls from people who think they have found what appears to be a young animal or bird abandoned by parents and left to face the world alone. Wild in Vermont offers the following advice to those who find themselves in such a situation.
An unfeathered and helpless bird can be placed right back into its own nest. Parent birds will not reject young that have been handled by humans. If you cannot find the nest, a makeshift one can be made by securing a berry basket, filled with dried grass or pine needles, to a tree and placing the young bird in it. Observe it for a while from a distance. As often as not, the parent bird is away looking for food and will return to the vicinity shortly to satisfy the begging cries of the youngster.

Older, well-feathered fledglings that have left the nest can hop and fly a little, but need some time to develop their skills. Even though they're out of the nest, they are still under their parents' care, as are many young mammals that are out exploring and investigating their new world. In all cases, it is necessary to observe the animals for some time from afar to be sure the parents are around. Never remove baby animals or birds from their natural habitat unless absolutely certain that they are truly orphaned.

Please keep in mind that mammals and birds are protected by state law, and birds are protected by federal law, also. It is illegal to have these in one's possession without being properly peImitted by the Vermont Department ofFish and Wildlife and, in the case of birds, by both the Vermont Department ofFish and Wildlife and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Do not attempt to raise any young bird or animal on your own. Wild animals that have been tamed cannot be released because their chances for survival in the wild are very low. If you do have a bird or animal that you've determined to be orphaned, please call the Vermont Department of Fish and Wildlife, your local police, or your local game warden. They can refer you to a licensed wildlife rehabilitator in your area who has the training, knowledge, and commitment to properly care for these animals.

Creatures Wild - Enjoying the beautiful winter birds at your feeders? Did you know Vermont
licensed wildlife Rehabilitators care for hundreds of orphaned or injured baby birds every spring and summer? If you would like more information call Wild In Vermont, Inc. 483-6870 or 899- 1027. Raccoons & Skunks - Remember seeing them allover the place? Where did they go this winter? These animals are true conservationists. They are less active in winter conserving their natural resources. However breeding will take place in the next two months than it's back to sleep until the babies come. Did you know Vermont licensed wildlife Rehabilitators care for hundreds of orphaned and injured wildlife babies as a direct result of negative encounters with humans? For more information call Wild In Vermont, Inc.(802)899-6810 or 483-6870

Bum Them Out - A hollow tree or an uncapped chimney looks like a wonderful nursery to a mother squirrel or raccoon. It's dark, private, quiet and "safe". Building a fire doesn't "smoke" the family out. It bums them just as it would our babies. For more information call Wild In Vermont, Inc. 899-1027 or 483-6870

Fawns - Every spring fawns are mistakenly thought to be abandoned and are taken from fields by humans. The infants' mother is most likely close by watching and waiting for you to leave. How can you know if intervention is necessary? For information call Wild In Vermont, Inc. 899-1027 or 483-6870