WILDLIFE REFERENCE SHEET
I just found a wild animal that needs help. What do I do?
Don’t endanger yourself!
Call the PA Game Commission or a wildlife rehabilitator for assistance if you come across a dangerous wild animal.
Centre Wildlife Care - 814-692-0004
Other locations in PA: www.pawr.com
Other locations in the US: https://ahnow.org
Contain the animal if possible
DO NOT handle with bare hands. (See more info below on catching a wild animal)
Place the animal in a small covered box in a warm, quiet place. Use paper towels or a soft cloth for bedding.
Once an animal is contained, do not handle it!
What If I need help with capture or transport?
If you cannot catch and transport an animal, call Wildlife In Need (WIN) at 814-414-4224 to assist wildlife rescue. They assist state-wide in PA.
If an animal is hard to catch, maybe it doesn’t need our help? not sure? Call for advice.
Don’t keep a wild animal overnight or any longer than necessary. In many cases, a wild animal that can be caught is in serious condition. Babies must be placed in an incubator ASAP.
If you’re not sure if an animal needs help, call someone for assistance.
Do not offer any food or water (especially milk). The animal's health status should be evaluated first. If you find a person that is hit by a car or you have a sick child, you don't take them to McDonalds; You take them to the ER.
A bird or small animal can be placed in a small box with a soft cloth on the bottom. Make sure the box is covered. Placing a recycling bin over an animal is an effective way to contain an animal. Don’t endanger yourself. Call the Game Commission or a licensed wildlife rehabilitator for advice or assistance if you come across a dangerous animal. In most cases, a wild animal that allows you to walk right up to it and pick it up is in serious condition. There are exceptions, such as fledgling birds. Fledgling birds go through a normal process where they emerge from the nest before they can fly. The fledgling will then spend a few days on the ground, learning to fly, while the parents still care for it. However, if you are concerned about a wild animal, call someone for assistance as soon as possible. Many baby birds need to eat every 1/2 hour or every hour.
How are animals transported to CWC?
If you can safely catch and transport a wild animal to the appropriate location for help, awesome! The sooner the animal can get help, the better chance of surviving.
If you cannot catch or transport an animal, call Wildlife In Need (WIN) at 877-239-2097 to assist wildlife rescue.
Will I get into trouble?
Suppose you are catching and or transporting a wild animal that is compromised for the purpose of taking it for help to a licensed location. In that case, you are protected under the Good Samaritan Act in Pennsylvania.
Important Note!
UNDER PA GAME COMMISSION REGULATIONS AND THE U.S. DEPT. OF THE INTERIOR, FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE, IT IS ILLEGAL FOR AN UNLICENSED INDIVIDUAL TO POSSESS A NATIVE WILD ANIMAL.
It is important to contact the proper authorities, such as a wildlife rehabilitator or the Game Commission, as soon as possible for assistance. Not just because it is illegal to possess a wild animal, but because many animals need attention immediately.
Birds
The saying, "If you handle baby birds, the mother will reject them," is NOT TRUE!
Feathered Song Birds or Fledglings - Call us for assistance
Baby birds are often seen fully feathered but trying to fly, with the parents nearby. These are fledglings. If they look bright and alert, it is best to leave them alone. If possible, keep cats and dogs away from the area for a few days. During this time, the birds will learn to fly. The parents will continue to care for them even though they are on the ground. If you are unsure if the parents are nearby and you are concerned, you may put the bird in a nearby bush or on a tree branch and observe from inside the house for a few hours. If the mother sees you in the yard, she will not come near.
Nestling Song Birds (partially feathered)
If the baby bird is bright, alert, and opening its mouth for food, you can put it back in the nest. If it is not gaping (opening its mouth for food) or is cold, it may need special attention. In addition, if a bird is injured, it needs help and cannot be placed back in the nest. Birds that are cat caught are usually injured, although they may not appear to be. If a bird is featherless, it needs heat. Holding a featherless baby bird in your hand will warm it effectively. Since baby birds need to eat every 1/2 hour or hour, it is important to contact a rehabilitator as soon as possible for instructions if the bird cannot be put back in the nest or the mother is gone.
Pigeons or Doves - Call us for assistance
If baby doves are found on the ground it is usually difficult to find the nest to put them back. Doves make very poor nests which get blown down easily. Pigeons usually don't make nests. Juvenile pigeons are fully feathered and very docile, and rely on their parents for a long time. If you're not sure the bird needs attention, call a rehabilitator.
Adult Birds
If an adult bird can be caught, probably something is wrong and it needs help. Birds and Rabies: Rabies has been produced in birds experimentally, however, it has never been found in wild bird populations.
MAMMALS
Baby Squirrels and Chipmunks
Baby Squirrels:
- If a baby is found, it probably needs attention.
- Grounded babies probably fell from a tree and likely have a concussion, and if the mother has been killed, the babies may wander out of the nest because they are hungry. These animals are unlikely to contract rabies.
Chipmunks:
It is very unusual to find a baby. If one is found, it probably needs special attention. If the mother is killed, the babies may wander out of the nest because they are hungry. These animals are unlikely to contract rabies.
Baby Opossums
These animals are on their own when about 8-10 inches long (not including the tail). If one is found smaller than 8-10 inches, it probably needs attention. Orphaned babies are often found near a dead mother, especially alongside roads. These animals rarely contract rabies.
Rabbits
Baby Rabbits:
A young rabbit is on its own if the fur is fluffy, the ears are standing, and the size of a man's fist. In some cases, it can be put back where you found it. If a dog or a cat brought it in, it is probably injured (although it may not appear to be) and needs special medical attention. Although possible, rabbits are unlikely to contract rabies.
Moving a Rabbit Nest:
Moving a rabbit's nest is not recommended. There has been a minimal success with moving a nest and the mother finding it. If you can wait 1-2 weeks, the babies will usually be gone, and you can continue with your plans. If you must move the nest, try to place it close to the original spot.
If A Rabbit Nest is Disturbed or Moved:
Replace all of the fur inside the nest and cover the nest well with dry grass. The mother may return to care for her young. The mother will not reject the babies if you handle them. There has been a success with placing rabbits back in the nest and the mother returning later and taking care of her young.
Monitoring a disturbed or moved rabbit nest:
Before moving the babies from the nest, check to see if the mother rabbit returns. Chances are you won't see the mother returning because she usually feeds her babies during the night. Check the baby's bellies before and after an evening has passed. Their bellies should be full in the morning. Put a trail cam on the nest to monitor it. This is much better than the string method which is unreliable; You can place a couple of strands of string over the nest to see if the nest was disturbed. Another way to tell if mama bunny was back is to weigh them at night and then in the morning. Their weight will increase if mama fed them. These are indications that the mother was there. If at all possible, it is best to let the mother rabbit raise her babies. Rabbits are hard to raise!
To protect the nest during the day, put a laundry basket over it. Take it off and remove it at night so the mother can come back and feed the babies.
Adult Rabbits:
If you can get near an adult rabbit, something is wrong. Use a net, box method or sheet method or for catching and transporting adult rabbits. Adult rabbits sometimes frantically kick when handled, even when they are seriously injured and can break their backs in the process.
Deer
Fawns:
Fawns are often found lying quietly in a field. If you find one and it is not crying, leave it there and check back in 24-48 hours. If it is injured, has flies on it, or is next to a dead doe (mother), it needs special attention. If it is not crying, then it is not hungry; it has been fed recently. If it is crying, give the mother time to come back; she will not come back if you are standing there watching the fawn.
Adult Deer:
These animals can be very dangerous and should only be handled by professionals. It is recommended to call the Game Commission (or your local Fish and Game) for assistance.
Rabies vectors of Pennsylvania
Baby Raccoons and Foxes (Rabies vectors in PA):
These babies often play in the woods under their mothers' care. Before disturbing them, observe from a distance to see if the mother is indeed watching over them. It's best to leave them alone unless there is an obvious problem. If the mother has been killed, the babies may wander out of the den because they are hungry. They may be crying (but not always), look weak or sickly. In this case, the babies need attention. Orphaned babies will come out during the day and wander looking for food; this is a sign of a hungry orphan. Don't pick these animals up with your bare hands because of the concern of rabies. These animals are the most common rabies vector in PA!
Baby Skunks (Rabies vectors in PA):
If baby skunks are out during the day, they have been orphaned. The mother would never allow her babies to wander out of the burrow. However, mom will take older babies out for walks during the night. Sometimes an individual will get separated from the group during these walks. This baby is also orphaned unless it can be reunited with the group. If the mother has been killed, the babies may wander out of the den because they are hungry. They may (but not always) look weak or sickly. In this case, the babies need attention. Babies typically don't spray until they are older. Always aim their posterior away from you just in case they do spray. Don't pick these animals up with your bare hands because of the concern of rabies. These animals are known to contract rabies!
Adult Raccoons, Skunks and Foxes (Rabies vectors in PA):
These animals are very dangerous and should only be handled by professionals. It is recommended to call either a wildlife rehabilitator or the Game Commission (or your local Fish and Game) for assistance.
Baby Bats (Rabies vectors in PA):
Bat pups are usually found in July and early August. Many times bat pups will fall out of trees or housing during a storm. Also, bat pups are found in buildings when they have wandered from the colony. Babies that are furred look very much like adults, except they are slightly smaller and do not fly well. Don't pick these animals up with your bare hands because of the concern of rabies. Bats are known to contract rabies.
Learn about White-nose syndrome that is killing our bats.
Adult Bats (Rabies vectors in PA):
Other than July, bats found inside the house are not babies and can "sometimes" be released directly outside. When bats are trapped inside a building, they can't find anything to eat or drink and become very compromised, especially in the winter months. Don't pick these animals up with your bare hands because of the concern of rabies. Bats are known to contract rabies.
Learn about White-nose syndrome that is killing our bats.
Groundhogs (Rabies vectors in PA):
It is very unusual to find a baby. If one is found, it probably needs special attention. If the mother is killed, the babies may wander out of the burrow because they are hungry. Sometimes, the babies are washed out of the burrow during a rainstorm. Although rare, these animals have been found to contract rabies.
Bear and Bobcats:
These animals can be very dangerous and should only be handled by professionals. It is recommended to call the Game Commission (or your local Fish and Game) for assistance. Even babies can be dangerous. If the babies are newborns or they don't have their eyes open, they can be taken directly to a rehabilitator if it is certain the mother is not returning. Otherwise, it is best to call the Game Commission. They are much better equipped to handle these animals and take them to the proper facility.
CATCHING AN ANIMAL
You can use three common methods to catch wild animals: the box method, the sheet method, and using a net. The techniques vary slightly for birds or mammals, so see the notes for each below.
Box Method
Carefully place a box over the animal, then slide a piece of cardboard underneath the box to contain the animal, being careful not to injure the animal in the process. A suitable box would be a recycling bin with holes in the bottom. Then bricks (or another heavy object) can be placed on the top of the box until help arrives. A plastic bowl could be used for a smaller animal, such as a bat.
Sheet method
Carefully throw a sheet/blanket or heavy towel over the animal. The sheet can be brought up around the animal and tied together to contain the animal for transport if a box is not handy. Place the animal and the sheet directly inside a cardboard box. Be careful not to leave a sheet or blanket on top of a bird because it may overheat. Always wear leather gloves with dangerous animals.
Birds
Small songbirds can sometimes just be picked up. For hard-to-catch birds or larger birds, use either the box/ sheet method or a net. If the sheet method is used, place the bird in a cardboard box, then unwrap the bird as soon as possible, so the bird doesn't overheat. Birds can overheat very easily and die from being wrapped up too long, especially in warm weather. They can also overheat in your hands, so don't hold an adult bird in your hands for any longer than necessary. If you need to use a net to catch the bird, use extreme caution because it may damage the feathers. A very effective carrying case for "small birds" is a cardboard box or a paper bag with paper towels on the bottom and the top folded down. If you're catching a raptor or a bird of prey, use leather gloves in addition to a towel or sheet to protect yourself from the bird's talons. Do not keep a bird of any kind wrapped in a blanket or any material for long periods. It is "not" recommended to put wild birds in wire cages because the cages may damage their feathers.
Mammals
You can catch mammals using either the box method, sheet/blanket method or by using a net. Call a professional to catch injured "adult" mammals because they can be dangerous. It is recommended that you not pick up any mammals with your bare hands. They may bite you out of fear. Baby rabbits may be picked up with your bare hands but should be placed directly into a cardboard box for transport. Be extremely careful when capturing adult rabbits. Adult rabbits will sometimes frantically kick when handled, even when they are seriously injured, and can break their backs in the process. You should never pick up bats with their bare hands. Use gloves or a heavy towel to pick up a bat. You can also scoop it into a cottage cheese container or a shoebox. Put the container or box under the bat and gently scoop the bat into the container with the lid. Poke very small holes into the lid with a pencil. Please remember that some bats can squeeze through a 1/2" space. The box method is recommended for adult mammals; however, proceed with caution. If the animal is unable to move or shows signs of severe injury, use the box method. Keep the animal as still as possible while moving it. You can use nets to catch mammals. Remember that picking up any mammal, especially adults, is not recommended with your bare hands.
Once the animal has been contained ***DO NOT HANDLE IT***
Please call us at 814.692.0004
Before bringing us any animals. We may ask you to take it to a different location.