Baby Opossum

I found a baby possum

Opossum mothers will usually not return for a dropped baby possum. So, if you find a baby possum on its own, and he is smaller than 9 inches (nose to butt, excluding tail) he needs to be brought to a wildlife rehabilitator. A baby opossum longer than 9 inches has left his mother and is independent. 

If you find a dead adult opossum, you can check to see if there is a pouch. There may be babies within. The pouch is located in the abdomen area.

If you see babies, DO NOT remove them from the pouch or take the nipples out of their mouths. Instead, place the whole carcass into a box, and bring it to us - we will remove the babies from the dead mother.

Baby Squirrel

I found a baby squirrel

Baby squirrels are frequently brought to us after their nest has been disturbed due to weather, tree maintenance, or because they have fallen or have been pushed out of the nest.

Only intervene in the presence of an observable injury:

OBVIOUS INJURY
1) If you see blood, flies, or the squirrel was attacked by a pet, bring it in.

-or-

NO EVIDENT INJURY
1) Place the baby(s) in a small fleece-lined container and place it next to the nearest tree.
2) Wait OUT OF SIGHT for an hour or two, then return to see if the mother retrieved the babies.
3) If the mom doesn’t return, call Philadelphia Metro Wildlife Center.

-DO NOT GIVE THE BABY SQUIRREL FOOD OR WATER. We must restore the squirrels to a stable temperature and level of hydration before they can eat. Improper feeding can cause irreversible damage.

Baby Goose (Gosling)

I found a baby gosling (or duckling)!

If you find a young baby gosling or duckling, the first thing to do is check if he is injured. If you see anything abnormal, call us (267) 416-9453. But if the baby duck or goose looks perfectly healthy, the best thing to do is place him in a safe container, like a cardboard box (with paper towel or rag on the bottom so he doesn’t slip around).

Look around for his family. All of his siblings will be the same size - that’s the best clue you have found the right family. Place the baby on the ground close to the family, and watch carefully. If he runs to the parents, and the parents to him, all should be well. Continue to watch to ensure the reunion is successful. If the parents peck the baby or try to avoid him, scoop him back up, and call us or bring him in right away.

A Cat Caught a Bird

Any animal caught by a cat requires emergency care. Gently place the bird in the towel-lined box, close the lid, and bring him in ASAP.
Even if the bird is gravely injured, bring him in so we can administer palliative care.

If the cat is yours, please consider keeping him indoors, building a “catio" or letting him outside only under close supervision. 

Bird on Lanternfly Tape or Sticky Trap

I have a bird stuck on a glue trap!

ANY ANIMAL STUCK ON A STICKY TRAP IS AN EMERGENCY.

Preparation for transfer:

1) Do NOT try to remove the animal.

2) DO minimize further injury by “disabling” the rest of the trap. Use paper towel or similar to cover the remaining exposed sticky parts.

Do NOT use oil on the animal or trap. It can destroy feathers or fur rendering the animal hypothermic.

3) DO put the animal and trap into a cardboard box and close the lid.

4) Bring the bird ASAP.

If it is a bat, use leather gloves.

Bird v. Window

A bird is attacking my window!

If a bird consistently attacks your window, it’s almost certain he mistakes his reflection and an "intruder".

Cover the part of the window being attacked. Cover the OUTSIDE of the window. If you put the paper on the inside, the reflection will remain.

Call us for more permanent solutions (267) 416-9453.

Baby Bird

I found a baby bird

-IMPORTANT-
This is the time baby birds are at highest risk of "KIDNAPPING" by humans who assume the bird is orphaned. If the bird is not obviously injured, leave it alone. It is crucial to keep kids and pets away to allow the baby bird to develop naturally.

STOP AND OBSERVE

NESTLINGS: A nestling is a naked (or very few-feathered) baby bird, that is fuzzy, and cannot stand or hop.

Nestlings are comparable to human newborns and should be in the nest with their parents. If you find a nestling out of the nest, uninjured, gently return it to the nest when possible. You can always call us for guidance (267) 416-9453. Parents will NOT reject babies due to human contact! If you cannot find the nest, bring the nestling to us immediately.

FLEDGLINGS: Fledglings have all their feathers, but still appear fuzzy and "babyish". They stand, hop, and jump from the nest prior to independent flight. They learn to fly from the ground up, not from the nest down.

Even if unseen, the parents return every few minutes to feed the fledgling. So, don’t interfere with fledglings.

If a fledgling is in a dangerous place - for instance, where he might get stepped on, he can be gently picked up and placed under a nearby bush. Only move it a short distance because his parents will return shortly for the next feeding and must be able to locate it.

IMPORTANT: Never feed a baby bird. Birds have a hole in their tongue that goes right to their lungs. The wrong type of food can quickly kill a baby bird.

Nestling on left. Fledgling on right.

Squirrels in the Attic

I have squirrels in my attic

OR RACCOONS IN YOUR EAVES, OR SOFFIT…

Never trap and relocate an animal. It’s often illegal. In unfamiliar territory, the animal may be attacked if it "invaded" another's turf, it could starve to death without a known food source, and you could unwittingly separate a mother from her dependent babies.

Encourage the animal(s) to pack up willingly to a place of her choosing.

Ideas for a DIY eviction:

The attic is hospitable because it's dark, quiet, and smells acceptable. Change it up to encourage voluntary eviction.  First, use a bright light. A strobe light is even better. Here is one called "The evictor" that has great reviews. Second, use a radio to play something loud and obnoxious. Finally, use ammonia or vinegar soaked rags, placed in coffee cans with drilled holes, around the area to make the smell noxious. Once you’ve confirmed all inhabitants are gone, PATCH UP THE ENTRANCE. Hardware cloth is a good choice, since animals cannot chew through it. Please call us for further advice. 

Turtle X-ing

A turtle is crossing the road, and he’s going to get hit!

OR, I FOUND AN INJURED TURTLE

If you’ve found a turtle with an obvious injury, call us (267)-416-9453 to determine the next course of action.

Healthy turtle crossing the road:

1) Directions: Turtles are very territorial; WHEN HELPING A TURTLE CROSS THE ROAD, MOVE IT IN THE SAME DIRECTION IT WAS HEADING. If you do not, it will turn around across the road again.

2) Handling a turtle: Grip smaller turtles with BOTH hands on each side of its shell between the front and back legs.

NEVER relocate a turtle to a new “better” location. Turtles, especially the Eastern Box turtle, have very strong homing instincts and remain in that small habitat for their entire (long) lives. Their “home range fidelity” will ensure that an attempted relocation will place them again in harm’s way, leading to death.

Snapping turtles are able to reach around and bite and should be handled very cautiously. With a little ingenuity you can move a larger snapping turtle by grasping it from the back portion of its shell and carefully moving it onto a piece of cardboard or a mat from your car. This way you can more easily and safely “pull” the turtle to the other side of the road without harming it.

Healthy turtle on my property:

Leave it be. Turtles, especially the Eastern Box turtle, have a very strong homing instinct and keep close to home for their entire (long) lives. NEVER relocate a turtle to a new “better” location. Their “home range fidelity” will ensure they will constantly try to get back to the place they know and they will likely die of starvation if removed.

Again, when in doubt, you can always call to get our expert advice (267-416-9453).

Groundhog and Skunk Squatters

I have groundhogs/skunks living under my deck!

Groundhogs (or skunks) are living under my deck!

If Groundhogs (woodchucks) are living under your deck or shed, one option is to do nothing. They won’t do any real damage, and you might be providing a home for a mother animal to raise her young.

Please call us for expert advice before taking any action (267) 416-9453. We oppose the removal of healthy wild animals from their environment and counsel co-existence - it is their world too. If necessary, we can provide humane, practical, do-it-yourself solutions to deter animals from your garden, shed, trash or attic if they are causing a problem.

Please do not trap and relocate an animal. It is usually illegal, but more than that, dropping an animal in a “nice park” usually means a slow, agonizing death. It will likely confront other animals defending their territories and ultimately starve when removed from its specific food supply. Additionally, you could separate a mother from her babies, who will die without her nurturing care.

So, it’s best to “ask” them to leave. So, place a bright light, a radio (set to something obnoxious) and ammonia or vinegar soaked rags around the area. Once the animals are gone, you can block off the area, but make sure there are no babies left underneath.