Bunnies, fledglings, baby squirrels, fawns. When spring arrives, so do calls about “abandoned” baby animals. Lake Erie Nature & Science Center is the only wildlife rehabilitation facility in Cuyahoga County, treating more than 1,400 animals and 100 species annually.
Here’s their advice about what to do if you find an injured or baby animal:
Injured animal?
Don’t risk your own safety to help wildlife. If you can safely capture it, place it in an escape-proof box (with air holes) not much bigger than the animal. Do not offer food or water. Place the box in a dark, quiet location until it can be transported to the center.
Baby bunnies in the yard?
Don’t move them because then the mother won’t be able to find them. She’ll return at dusk and dawn to care for them.
Baby bird that can’t fly?
A baby bird with skin visible and only covered in downy feathers should be placed back in the nest or in an artificial nest. If fully feathered, the bird is a fledgling that should be left alone.
Baby squirrel fallen from a tree?
Don’t feed it. Squirrels often have more than one nest. The parent can retrieve and move their babies if they end up out of the nest too soon.
A fawn alone?
Baby wildlife is rarely abandoned. A fawn with no mother in sight is normal, and deer do this to protect their young. An adult can attract predators. The mother will come back to retrieve the fawn later.
If you need help with wildlife, call the center at 440-871-2900 or email [email protected].
