Wildlife EmergenciesBy Mary Beth Torgerson

Most people will at some point encounter an injured or orphaned animal, but not many know the correct response should they encounter an animal in distress.Often well-intentioned people will “rescue” animals that appear to be abandoned, when in reality, they are perfectly fine and their parents are nearby foraging for food. Taking a baby animal away from where its family left it is rarely a good idea, unless you can make sure the parents truly aren’t coming back. Similarly, it’s never a good idea to take an injured wild animal under your own care, as you can do more harm than good. Follow our guide to know when and how to respond in the event of a wildlife emergency.

Be preparedKeep the following items in your vehicle at all times so that you’ll be ready to respond should you encounter an animal in distress:-Well-ventilated cardboard box-Towel or blanket-Leather gloves-Net-Leash-Thick gloves-Broom (you can use it to gently coax a wild animal into a carrier)-Directions to and phone numbers of local 24-hour emergency veterinary hospitals and wildlife rehabilitators

Determine whether the animal really needs helpIf you see a wild animal in distress, avoid interfering unless the animal is clearly sick, orphaned, injured or in immediate danger. Wild animals need help if one or more of the following are true:-They are clearly injured -They are caught by a cat, dog or other predator.-They are weak and shivering or emaciated.-They are clearly babies, an animal suspected of being their parent was killed nearby, and you have confirmed that no other animal of the same species is caring for them.-They are in immediate danger.If you are unsure of whether an animal needs help, contact a registered wildlife rehabilitator.

Carefully transport the animal to a wildlife rehabilitatorInjured wildlife can be dangerous to handle, as they can be very scared and aggressive, so use extreme caution. If you have to handle the animal, wear thick gloves and transfer them into a well-ventilated cardboard box with a blanket or towel in the bottom. Try to keep the box relatively still and the atmosphere dark and quiet until you can transport them to a wildlife rehabilitator. Do not attempt to care for the animal yourself.

BOXFind A Wildlife RehabilitatorVisit the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA)’s comprehensive list of registered wildlife rehabilitators at tn.gov/twra/pdfs/rehabdirectory.pdf.

SIDEBARAnimal Guide

RabbitsIf you uncover a nest of infant rabbits, leave them alone and check them again in the morning. Many people assume a mother is dead simply because they have not seen her return to the nest in quite some time, but this is completely normal. If you are unsure, contact a wildlife rehabilitator before removing them. A good rule of thumb is if a rabbit is hopping away from you when you try to catch it, leave it be. SquirrelsIf a baby squirrel falls from its nest, watch from a distance for about 2 hours to see if the mother returns. If not, contact a wildlife rehabilitator. BirdsIt’s a myth that a mother won’t return to her young if they’ve been handled by a human. If a baby bird that isn’t fully feathered has fallen from its nest, place it back in the nest if possible. If you find a fledgling bird (fully feathered and hopping on the ground), the bird is most likely learning to fly and its mother is nearby. If a baby bird’s nest has been destroyed or you can’t reach it, create a new one by poking drainage holes in a plastic container, filling it with leaves, paper towels or a clean, soft cloth, and attaching it to the tree near the old nest. Watch from a distance for up to 2 hours and if the mother does not return, contact a wildlife rehabilitator.FawnsIf you find a fawn and it does not seem to be injured, it is most likely not orphaned. Fawns are often mistakenly thought of as orphans because mother deer only nurse and attend to their young a few times per day. The best thing to do is leave alone and allow the mother to come back to care for it.  If you are unsure if the fawn needs to be rescued, contact a wildlife rehabilitator.OpossumsOnly opossums that are sick, injured or too young to be on their own (less than 7 inches long from nose to behind not including tail) are in need of immediate assistance. If you find an orphaned opossum that is smaller than 7 inches, contact a wildlife rehabilitator.