Wildlife Rescue

By Thembi Borras

Have you ever been frantic, not sure what to do, having encountered an animal you thought injured, abandoned or in need of attention? I have, last year I was introduced to a bird in a downed nest. This circumstance effected me to seek assistance from the wildlife rescue community. Before you engage this limited resource community there is information that will better inform your decision to walk away, care for the species yourself or bring it to a rescue facility.

Locally, all wildlife is born in the spring, in particular the month of May. May is the month for babies. You may think a fawn needs attention, because you conceive it has been abandoned, not seeing its mother nearby. In fact the mother, on purpose, remains distant from the fawn to protect it as she is scented and the fawn is not. If you encounter a fawn, don't pick it up and keep your dogs on a leash, during this time of year, to prevent an unnecessary dog/ fawn encounter.

If you find a baby bird, owl or hawk out of the nest it is important to know the parents will likely continue to care for it, especially owls. If you are able to reach the nest safely, put the bird back in its nest. It is a myth that the parents will abandon their young if they detect human scent, in fact birds have a poor sense of smell. If a nest is down, you can put it in an open cardboard box and nail the box to the tree then put the young in the nest. Stunned birds found near windows may need nothing more than a cardboard box in a safe location in which to recover.

If the animal is obviously injured, evidenced by a drooping wing or blood, local veterinarians may treat wildlife at no charge. At a minimum, veterinarians will have referral numbers for wildlife rescue facilities. If possible, call your veterinarian or one of the rescue facilities prior to removal as they may be able to guide your decision and advise in proper transport procedures. Sonoma Wildlife, a mammal rescue facility can be reached at 707-544-6713. Bird Rescue of Santa Rosa, a bird rescue facility, can be reached at 707-523-2473. Willits Wildlife Rehabilitation Team, a local non profit wildlife rescue facility, can be reached at 707-459-9539 and donations for the care of injured wildlife can be sent to POB 44, Willits, CA 95490.

The bulk of this production was gleaned from a phone conversation with Ronnie James of Woodlands Wildlife a small local rescue facility that receives all referrals through local veterinarians. Woodlands Wildlife, a non profit, will receive donations for the care of injured wildlife at POB 1336, Mendocino, CA 95460.