You found a baby wild animal or injured wild animal – Now what do you do?

Contact Lakeside Nature Center at (816) 513-8960 for help and information on how to handle the animal. If the voice mail answers, leave a message. We monitor calls until 9:00 p.m. every evening.

When should you help a baby bird?
If you find a young bird on the ground, that doesn’t have feathers, place the bird back into its nest. Birds DO NOT have a sense of smell so the parent bird will not desert its young if you touch it. If you can’t reach the nest, place the young in a container that has drainage holes in the bottom and hang it up in a tree where you think the nest was or in a nearby area on the same tree. Be sure to hang it in an area that is protected somewhat from rain and hot sun. The parents will continue to care for the young. If you find a young bird that is feathered, sitting on the ground, leave it there. Young birds spend one or two weeks on the ground while they are strengthening their wing muscles and learning to fly. You may help by keeping dogs and cats away from the area. The parent birds are still watching the young bird and coming down to feed him.

HOW TO RESCUE BABY BIRDS:
If you determine that the baby bird truly needs to be rescued, do the following:

1. Place feathered babies in a paper grocery sack. Secure top with clothes pin or paper clip. Put small, unfeathered babies in a small container with a soft cloth. Cover container with another towel.

2. Keep baby warm and in a quiet place until ready to transport to Lakeside Nature Center.

3. Baby birds do not need to be fed if you are going to bring them to the Center within a few hours. Never give them water! If you have to feed them, use cat chow that has been soaked in warm water until it reaches a spongy consistency.

4. Do not handle the bird unnecessarily. Keep it away from children and pets. Call the Nature Center and bring the bird in as soon as possible.

When should you help a baby mammal?
If you find a baby mammal, such as a bunny, squirrel, skunk, deer, fox, opossum, raccoon, bat, etc., remember that leaving it with its mother is always best for its survival. Before attempting to rescue a baby mammal, be certain that it actually needs your help. Call Lakeside Nature Center for advice – (816) 513-8960.  Our phones are monitored by volunteers until 9:00 p.m. each night.

When should a baby stay with its mother?
Generally, if a baby is not bleeding, shivering, vomiting, or suffering from an attack by a cat or dog, the animal is probably not hurt or sick. If you find babies in a nest or den, leave them alone. If a baby has wiggled out of its nest, try to find the nest. If the nest is intact, place the baby back into it. If you can’t find the nest, or the nest is destroyed, place the baby in a shallow box close to where you found it. Keep it out of the sun and away from pets. From a distance and completely out of sight, watch for the mother over the next 4 to 6 hours. If the mother does not return after 6 hours, bring the baby to Lakeside Nature Center.

When does a baby mammal need your help?
If a baby is bleeding, shivering, vomiting, or suffered an attack, the animal is at risk. If you choose to help, approach with caution, because even baby animals can inflict injury or illness.

To help the baby, find a container with air holes or a cardboard box, and place a soft cloth in the bottom. Cover the baby with a light sheet or towel and gently pick the animal up and place it in the container. Keep the baby warm by placing the box half on/half off a heating pad set on low. Do not give the baby any food or water. Leave the baby in a quiet, dark place until you can transport it to Lakeside Nature Center.

Always practice good hygiene when handling animals or nests. You should wear gloves or use a towel as a barrier to protect from bites, scratches, disease and parasites. After handling the animal, clean everything, including towels, clothing, containers, gloves and hands to prevent spread of disease.

Remember, you should not keep a wild animal, even a baby, at your home any longer than necessary. In Missouri, it is against the law to keep a wild animal without a permit. If you find a baby that needs help, licensed rehabilitators at Lakeside Nature Center can begin caring for the animal as soon as you can get it there, which will increase the likelihood that it will survive.

Updated 9/26/08