by Megan Stanton

Spring has sprung in the Northland and that means one thing for wildlife rehabbers: babies. Lots of them. In Late-April to Mid-May we receive a seemingly endless number of healthy orphaned babies, and the truth is many of those are caused by humans and are easily preventable.

Here are some tips to help keep healthy orphans with their moms, and hospital space at Wildwoods free for sick and injured animals.

If you find a baby animal call us immediately and we’ll me more than happy to answer your questions

• Instead of tree trimming and yard cleaning in the spring, try to do it in the fall when nests are not active.
• Check for holes in your roof or siding. If there is a nest, wait to seal the hole until the babies are gone.
• Many Mothers leave their young for several hours a day while they hunt and forage. Additionally, staying away from their nest also helps it remain hidden from predators. This is especially true for bunnies and fawns. If you find a baby animal that appears abandoned, the best thing to do is leave it right where it is as long as it’s out of the path of traffic. Keep kids and pets at a distance and give mom time and space to come back. If you are unsure call a wildlife rehabilitator, they don’t have to be local to give advice.
• Do not ever feed a baby animal or give it fluids unless directed by a wildlife rehabber. Food other than a mother’s milk, the mother of the same species, can be deadly to an orphan. Also, giving an animal water can hinder our ability to correctly assess the animal’s condition.

We understand that it can be hard to leave a little baby out in the elements that appears alone and abandoned, but trust us if we tell you that mom is nearby waiting to come back until it’s safe.

As wildlife rehabilitators we always do our absolute best trying to raise baby animals so they can be released back into the wild strong and healthy. Unfortunately, although humans do their best, there is no great substitute for mom. If at all possible babies should be kept with their mothers.

If you have any concerns, please call us at (218) 491-3604 and we will be happy to answer your questions! For more information on what to do if you find a wild animal you think might need help, visit the “Does this animal need help” section on our website.