Frothy Forage, April 27
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Frothy Forage, April 27
Injured & Orphaned Wildlife
Though Woodcock is home to many previously injured non-releasable animals, we are not a licensed rehabilitation facility and cannot accept injured or orphaned wildlife.
Have you found a baby animal? Often it can be difficult to determine whether or not the animal actually needs help. Baby wild animals might seem like they need our help, but unless the animal is truly orphaned or injured, there is no need to rescue them. To tell if a baby animal is orphaned, injured, or perfectly fine and what to do if they need your help, visit this Humane Society resource here.
If a baby or any wild animal is visibly bleeding, has an open wound or a broken bone, please call a licensed rehabilitator. In the meantime: DO NOT give water or food unless otherwise instructed by a rehabber.
In a situation where you have found noticeably sick or injured wildlife and need to contact a wildlife rehabber here are some important resources:
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CT DEEP Website
At the bottom is a list of rehabbers who specialize in specific species. Even if these folks are not located near you, there are many injured wildlife transport groups who can bring the injured or sick animal to where it will get the best care.Click here to see the list of licensed rehabbers.
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Wildlife in Crisis in Weston, CT is the most well known in this area but are often overwhelmed with calls, so there may be a delay in reaching them. Click here to contact them
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South Wilton Veterinary Group in Wilton, CT is a wonderful veterinary hospital that accepts and helps injured or sick wildlife. Click here to contact them.
Below are some important facts about the three species we get the most calls about:
Baby Cottontails:
- Nests can be found from March to September
- Nests are made in shallow depressions on the ground (they don't burrow), covered with grasses and fur from the mom
- Mother rabbits are very secretive as to not draw attention to their nests; it is rare to see her coming and going
- Please leave babies where they are, just because you don't see the mom doesn't mean they are abandoned
- If you are still worried that mom won't come back, lay pieces of yarn like a tic-tac-toe over the nest. Check back in 12 hrs, if the string is misplaced, the mother has returned.
- If the baby bunny is bleeding, has an opened wound or a broken bone please contact a wildlife rehabber
- Do not give food or water
Baby Birds:
- Many people think that if they see a baby bird (with feathers) hopping around on the ground and not able to fly well, that the baby has fallen from the nest. This is not true! These little ones are called Fledglings and are still being fed by their parents.
- A baby's best chance of survival is with its mother. Birds are best raised by birds! If possible, put any babies found on ground without feathers back in the nest (if it is visible).
- If the baby bird is bleeding, has an opened wound or a broken bone please contact a wildlife rehabber
- Do not give food or water
Fawns (Baby Deer):
- Fawns are often left alone for many hours by their moms in an attempt to avoid predators to the fawns location
- Mom usually visits only twice per day
- IF the fawn is bleeding, has an opened wound or a broken bone please contact a wildlife rehabber
- Do NOT chase a fawn to capture it, the stress of being chased can be dangerous to them
- Do not give food or water