Springtime is here, and with the warming temperatures, you may notice a boom in baby wildlife. Fairfax County Animal Protection Police Officers and the Wildlife Management office receive many calls this time of year from residents seeking help for young wildlife that appear orphaned or abandoned.
While these actions are well-intended, it is important to realize that intervention may be unnecessary and detrimental to wildlife. Many baby animals brought to wildlife professionals are in no need of human help. Baby animals left alone are not necessarily orphaned or abandoned; many species of wildlife will hide their young for safety, leaving them alone for extended periods of time.
Common wildlife frequently found and “rescued” in Fairfax County include squirrels, red foxes, raccoons, rabbits, skunks, opossums, and songbirds. If you encounter a baby animal and wonder whether to intervene, the FCPD offers guidelines below to determine if the animal needs help. If an animal displays these signs, contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator, veterinarian, or Animal Protection Police for further assistance and instruction.
Signs that an animal needs help include:
• The animal shows signs of injury, such as bleeding, swelling, or a broken limb.
• The animal is very cold, shivering, thin, or weak.
• The animal is on the ground, unable to move, or is nonresponsive.
• The animal is featherless or not fully furred.
• The animal shows signs of flies, worms, or maggots.
• The animal was picked up by a cat or dog, even if no injuries are visible.
• There is a dead parent nearby or parents are separated and cannot be reunited.
Do not attempt to treat or raise wildlife yourself. Please do not handle any baby wild animals, and do not attempt to offer food or water unless instructed by a professional to do so. Many young animals require special diets, and inappropriate food or feeding techniques can lead to sickness or death. Wild animals can also cause injury or carry parasites and disease, even at a young age. Human handling may cause unnecessary stress or result in trauma to the animal and could increase the risk of disease exposure to humans. Please never touch a wild mammal barehanded; picking up a young animal without gloves increases the risk of possible rabies exposure. Contact a professional before intervening as a safety measure and for the animal’s welfare. This could make a difference in the animal’s life!
A young animal’s best chance for survival is to receive natural care from its parents and remain wild. Before intervening, please learn more about which wildlife species and situations you are most likely to encounter and ways to determine whether an animal needs help at:
• https://www.wildlifecenter.org/healthy-young-wildlife
•https://www.blueridgewildlifectr.org/announcement-bar
•https://www.wildliferescueleague.org/animals/does-this-animal-need-help/
• https://aeroanimalrescue.org/found/
• https://www.rewildnova.org/help/
• https://www.humanesociety.org/resources/found-orphaned-or-injured-baby-wild-animal
•https://dwr.virginia.gov/wildlife/injured/
If you have questions about whether an animal needs help or to locate a licensed wildlife rehabilitator, contact the Virginia Wildlife Conflict Helpline toll-free at 1-855-571-9003 or visit this website’s licensed wildlife rehabilitator section. This helpline is available Monday through Friday from 8 am to 4:30 pm. The Animal Protection Police can be reached through the Police non-emergency number at 703-691-2131.