Once again, it’s baby season in the wildlife community. Baby animals and birds are everywhere, and people often discover them without mom around. Sometimes the best thing to do is to leave them alone. It is normal for adult animals (i.e. rabbits) to leave their young ones unattended for hours. Finding their babies does not necessarily indicate they are in trouble. The best thing to do is watch from a distance to see if the mother comes back. Surprisingly, rabbits feed their young two or three times a day, usually in the morning and evening. The rest of the time, the babies are alone, but safe.Unfortunately, there are incidents where the babies do need to be rescued. Winds and bad weather sometimes cause young birds to fall from their nests, and the nests can’t be found. Young birds with no feathers need rescuing. Young birds that are feathered but hopping around should be left alone. Generally, their parents are in the vicinity keeping an eye on things. Often, people are concerned for these fledglings because of wandering dogs or cats, but it’s best to leave things alone. It would be better to try to contain pets than to take a wild animal or bird out of the environment where it belongs.People who find injured or orphaned animals usually want to help but don’t know exactly what to do. That is where licensed wildlife rehabilitators come in. Colorado Springs is lucky because there are several wildlife rehabilitators who specialize in different types of animals. These people have filed the necessary paperwork and obtained the proper licensing, allowing them to legally care for wild animals, generally in their own homes. It is illegal to possess wildlife without a license; trying to care for wild animals is a violation of the law. Contact a rehabilitator.Rehabilitators have lots of experience and know the proper diet and care that particular animals require; the animal will have a better chance of survival if given to a wildlife rehabilitator. It is worthy to note that most rehabilitators are volunteers, who get no compensation. Their reward is seeing the animal return to the wild, where it belongs, knowing they did their best.There are two local non-profit wildlife rehabilitation organizations that people can contact when trying to locate a rehabilitator. Wild Forever Foundation has a center in Colorado Springs at 1524 N. Hancock Ave. You can reach their office at 475-9453. Volunteers answer the phone, providing advice and instruction. The Ellicott Wildlife Rehabilitation Center is located in Ellicott, and the number is 683-8152. Most likely, you will leave a message and someone will return the call.Unfortunately, local organizations such as the Humane Society of the Pikes Peak Region or the Division of Wildlife do not have the resources to handle orphaned wildlife; they generally refer to Wild Forever.There are more animals in need than there are rehabilitators. Each year, rehabilitators are swamped with phone calls about animals needing care. There is a need for volunteers and licensed rehabilitators. If anyone is interested in helping out this summer, contact the Wild Forever center. The DOW has a volunteer transport program for anyone interested in transporting wild animals throughout the Pikes Peak region. The transport team is a valued asset for rehabilitators.Each year, Wild Forever rehabilitators rescue over 700 animals in El Paso County. Their number again is 475-9453.FROM THE DIVISION OF WILDLIFE:WILDLIFE LAWS YOU SHOULD KNOW
- It is illegal in Colorado to possess most species of native wildlife.
- Do not adopt a foundling. You may be ticketed, and the animal will be taken away.
- Human-raised and hand-fed animals rarely can be returned to the wild because they have imprinted on humans or they lack survival skills.
- If you are tempted to keep a baby bird, DON’T! Migratory birds, including songbirds, are protected under federal law. Possession of a bird and its nest or eggs without a permit is illegal.
- It is illegal to attempt to rehabilitate injured or orphaned wildlife without proper state and federal permits.
- Contact the DOW if you are aware of wildlife that needs help.
- Despite the fact that wildlife is usually best left alone, there are instances in which people find injured or orphaned wildlife that need help. Call the DOW for assistance at 303-297-1192 or contact wildlife rehabilitator. Visit the DOW Web site at www.wildlife.state.co.us.
