Since 1992
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By Jayne Winters
When visiting at the Duck Pond Wildlife Rehab Center a couple of weeks ago, I asked Don Cote if he had any thoughts about what we should submit for the April column. Without missing a beat, he said spring is the time we need to alert people that not all young animals that appear lost or orphaned need to be rescued. So, as in the past, I’m going to use Carleen Cote’s words of wisdom from many years ago:
As native wildlife become more active, this is an appropriate time for a reminder about whether young wildlife that appear to need rescuing really need human intervention.
FAWNS
White-tail fawns are often “rescued” when they should be left where they are. A very young fawn will not move until given a signal from its mother. It has no odor, so if it is found by a dog, coyote or other potential predator, it’s by accident, not from scent. The doe does not remain with her fawns — she leaves to feed herself and may not return for several hours.
Mark the spot where you saw the fawn and leave; return after a few hours or the next day. If the fawn is in the exact same spot, it’s probably safe to assume something has happened to the doe. Contact a game warden or rehabber and follow the advice given.
BIRDS
If you find a young bird on the ground and don’t see a nest, make a substitute from a berry box or basket; be sure there are holes for drainage, and hang it in a tree close to the spot where the bird was found. The adults will respond to the feeding calls of their youngsters. If cats are prowling or stalking birds, especially when there may be young birds in a nest that can’t survive without being fed, the cat should be confined rather than removing the birds. Fledglings – young birds that are feathered and out of the nest – need time to master the art of flying. Though they may spend time on the ground, this is not necessarily an indication they need human help. If there are adult birds flying around, they could be the parents bringing food to the young or coaxing them to take their first flight.
HOW TO RESCUE
Of course, there are times when rescue is necessary, such as when an adult female has died but her young survive, or when young animals have been observed for some time with no adult arriving. If you do rescue wildlife, as cute as they may be, bring them to someone who has the necessary permits and knowledge to give them a greater chance of survival. If you’re in doubt about the need to rescue any bird or animal, or have questions, call a local rehabber or warden.
Don continues to keep admissions and long-term residents at a more practical number by transferring many rescued critters to other rehabbers who have offered to assist. Check these websites to see if there is a rehabber closer to you to help make critter care at Duck Pond more manageable: mainevetmed.org/wildliferehabilitation or maine.gov/ifw/fish-wildlife/wildlife/living-with-wildlife/orphaned-injured-wildlife/index.html.
– Donald Cote operates the Duck Pond Wildlife Care Center on Route 3 in Vassalboro. It is a nonprofit federal and state permitted rehab facility supported by his own resources and outside donations. Mailing address is 1787 North Belfast Ave., Vassalboro ME 04989; telephone is 207-445-4326; email is not being monitored.
