Small Mammals:
BABY OPOSSUMS-
Moms do not come back for their babies if they lose one. If you find a baby opossum, please contain the animal and keep it warm while contacting a wildlife rehabber.
DO NOT FEED… Opossums tube feed their babies and they do not drink from bottles
If you find a deceased adult, please check to see if it has a pouch with babies. If there are babies inside, you can transport the mama with babies attached to a rehabber and they will remove them. DO NOT CUT the tubes to remove the babies.
BABY BUNNIES-
Mama bunnies only visit the nest twice a day to feed their young so they don’t draw in predators. They visit before dawn and usually around dusk/dark. Just because you don’t see mom doesn’t mean she’s not visiting the nest.
If the nest has been destroyed, then bring in the bunnies and keep them warm, (in a box with a heating pad on low heat underneath).
DO NOT FEED. No milk. No water. No food.
Baby bunnies suffer from heart attacks due to stress. Do not handle once contained. Put them in a box and reach out to a rehabber.
You cannot make a new nest. If it is moved even 2”, mom will not come back.
Baby bunnies leave the nest & begin to explore at around 15-20 days old. If they are in your back yard and you are worried about your dogs, please take them out on a leash. The babies will be gone before you know it.
You can use a plastic laundry basket to place upside down over the nest and cut a small hole so the babies and mom can enter/exit without dogs being able to reach them.
BABY SQUIRRELS-
Squirrels have multiple nests and do not usually keep all of their babies in one nest. Mamas will pick up their babies by their mouths and move them one at a time to the ground and then come back and move them one at a time to their new nest.
If a baby squirrel falls from the nest and has no apparent injuries, it’s best to try to reunite. Put it in a box with a blanket or grass on the bottom near where it was found and wait 4 hours for mom to locate. If there are cats nearby, you can wedge the box in a tree or on top of a shrub. Squirrel moms are great mamas and will come looking for their babies if able. Note: She will not retrieve babies after dark so do not attempt to reunite after dusk.
If the baby’s body temperature is cold, bring it inside immediately and put in a box with a heating pad on LOW heat underneath.
DO NOT FEED. Baby squirrels aspirate easily and trying to feed them can result in their death minutes or hours later.
If you are unable to reunite, please reach out to a licensed rehabber.
If you find a juvenile squirrel and he has approached you, he needs help. Please reach out to a rehabber immediately.
GROUNDHOGS-
If you have found an injured or orphaned groundhog, please contain in a well ventilated box. Keep the animal warm and DO NOT FEED. Contact a licensed small mammal rehabber immediately.
Large Mammals:
FAWNS-
Deer leave their babies during the day while they graze. They are often left near homes, roads, and businesses. The location may seem strange to us, but I promise mama isn’t far away and she has a reason for choosing that spot. She may even bring her baby back to the same place multiple days.
Please DO NOT pick up the fawn or intervene in any way unless you are certain the baby is injured or mom is deceased. Call a fawn expert for advice BEFORE approaching the animal.
DO NOT FEED any kind of milk what-so-ever, no matter what you read on Google.
Never ever chase a fawn. They can die from capture myopathy which is basically a heart attack due to stress.
*Unsure if it’s orphaned or in need of help? Here are some things to look for: Is it walking around crying during the day? Are the ears curled? Do you see visible injuries? Is it near its deceased mom? Is it lying on its side with legs out? If the answer to any of these are yes, then call a licensed fawn rehabber for instruction before approaching.
Note: It is illegal to raise/rehab wildlife in the state of GA without a license. Well meaning people try to raise fawns on their own and end up taming the animal, which is a death sentence. These animals have a very slim chance of surviving beyond their first year
ADULT DEER:
Sadly, deer get hit by cars, stuck on fences, caught in hammocks, and all kinds of things.
When a deer has been hit by a car, it’s possible it is in shock and will come out of it. However, if the animal is trying to stand and has multiple broken legs, broken back, etc, there is no way to rehab this animal. You will need to call the DNR Ranger hotline or your local police department to put down the animal.
If deer is stuck in/on a fence, check to see if the animal is impaled or just has a foot wedged between boards. If it is severely injured, you will need to call the DNR Ranger hotline or local police department to put it down. If it is stuck, proceed with caution. These animals are very very strong. They also die of capture myopathy due to stress. Please call / text us and we can try to walk you through the situation.
If a deer has a broken leg but is still able to get up/walk and you do not see visible bone, please leave it be. Deer can function and live normal lives with only 3 legs, even pregnant deer. Adult deer cannot be captured and rehabbed so it’s best chance of life is letting it be. If it’s recently been injured, leave some water or food nearby to give it a chance to acclimate. They usually stay near homes and away from predators for a few days while they adjust.
Unfortunately it is a very rare circumstance that a tranquilizer dart can be used on a deer. It takes 2-3 minutes for a tranquilizer to take effect and in that amount of time, a deer can run very far and are nearly impossible to locate before the medication wears off. They become disoriented and could run into oncoming traffic causing an accident. The same thing applies as it is waking up from a tranquilizer. This is why it is rarely ever a viable option.
BEARS:
DO NOT FEED. EVER. Bears remember a food source for up to 10 years. If you put out food for these animals, it will draw them in near populated areas. Bears are not relocated in the state of Georgia so when they become a threat to humans in residential areas, the bears are put down. A fed bear is a dead bear.
Bears in Georgia are born in late Jan/early February. If you walk upon a cub, leave the area immediately. Bears will often “tree” cubs when they perceive a threat and the mama will circle back to check on the cubs. They will leave when she feels the area is safe. Mama bears are extremely protective of their cubs. Never approach. If you find an injured bear or cub, contact DNR immediately.
BIRDS:
SONGBIRDS-
It is a myth that mamas will abandon the babies if you touch them.
If you find that a tiny bird has fallen from the nest, try to locate the nest and place him back inside.
If you cannot locate a nest, you can use a makeshift nest with a plant basket and hang from a nearby branch. If there is bird poop around the edges, you can tell mama is visiting the nest.
If the body temperature is cold to the touch, the baby needs to be warmed up before you can attempt to reunite.
DO NOT FEED under any circumstances. Baby birds aspirate easily. Not all birds eat worms or have the same diet.
SONGBIRDS PART 2- FLEDGLINGS-
If you find a baby bird, fully feathered, outside of the nest, it is likely a fledgling. They leave the nest and spend a few days on the ground while learning to fly.
You can place him back in the nest but if he hops out again, there’s nothing you can do. This is part of the process on how they learn to go on their own.
Mom & Dad will come down to the ground to feed the baby bird, but not if humans are nearby.
Please do not abduct! I understand there are cats, hawks, etc but the bird’s best chance of survival is with its parents!! They will protect it.
If the bird appears to be injured, then contact a licensed songbird rehabber.
SONGBIRDS PART 3: ADULTS
Sometimes songbirds will strike a window when flying. They may be knocked unconscious or be stunned for a couple of hours. Please put it in a safe location outdoors so if he tries to fly, he can do so safely. If he is still unable to fly or you see a visible wing droop, please contact a licensed songbird rehabber.
If a songbird has been caught by a cat, it needs help immediately.
If a bird is trapped in your patio or office, leave a door or window open if possible.
BIRDS OF PREY (Owls, Hawks, Osprey, Eagles, Falcons, Vultures)- FEDERALLY PROTECTED, get help immediately!
If you have found a baby raptor on the ground, we need to get it back in the nest asap. DO NOT FEED. If you are unable to locate the nest, text us and we will send instructions on how to create a makeshift nest to try to reunite the baby with its parents. Call for advice if you are unsure if the baby needs help. DO NOT TAKE THE BABY unless you are instructed to do so by a professional. It’s best chance of survival is with its parents.
If you have found a fully feathered baby on the ground, it’s likely a fledgeling learning to fly. They spend a few days on the ground with parents watching nearby. Parents will take care of them and bring them food. Do not intervene unless you believe it to be injured. Call for advice if you are unsure the animal needs help.
If you have found an injured adult that is unable to fly, please try to contain it. Even though it may not be able to fly, they run quickly and they can camoflauge themselves. We want to contain before you lose sight of it.
How to contain a bird of prey for the inexperienced:
First, get the following items ready: Thick leather gloves, a well ventilated box (preferred), a rolled t-shirt on bottom inside of box, and a light weight blanket, towel, or fitted sheet.
What to do: While wearing leather gloves, cover the bird with a towel, taking care to cover the head. Keep the wings gently tucked next to the body and keep your hands above the talons. Gently put the bird in the box and close it immediately. (Wire crates are not recommended, as birds can get wings stuck and cause further injury.)
Do not offer food or water. They need to get to a rehabber to ensure airways are clear and proper diet is offered or it could kill them.
If you believe you have found an injured bald eagle, please send us a photo for confirmation. Do not attempt to contain.
DUCKS/GEESE- (CANADA GEESE ARE FEDERALLY PROTECTED)
Ducks and geese most often suffer from a condition called “angel wing”. One wing may appear to be broken or sticking out with feathers pointed in opposite directions. This is a result of a nutrition deficiency caused by eating bread and is unfortunately not curable. If the bird is otherwise able to walk & swim, we suggest letting it be. Since it is not curable, the only other alternative is to have it euthanized. We prefer to give it a chance if it’s still mobile. NEVER FEED DUCK/GEESE BREAD
The second most common injury with ducks and Canada geese is fishing line/hooks caught on wings, feet, mouths, etc. Unfortunately it can be very difficult to catch ducks/geese if they are still able to fly, (they don’t call it a wild goose chase for nothing). :) If the bird is still flighted, we often need a few volunteers and a kayak to try to catch the animal. If you are able to get close enough to contain it, please do so and then reach out for assistance. Never try to remove the hook yourself if it is embedded in the skin/bone.
If a duck/goose has a broken foot or is missing a leg, we suggest letting him be as long as he is still able to fly/swim and get around to get food. It’s not ideal but they do acclimate to their injuries. There sadly is no cure and if the animal is taken in, it will be euthanized.
HERONS-
Herons often suffer injuries due to fishing line/hooks. If the bird is still flighted, it will be impossible to catch. Sadly, we often have to wait until the bird is grounded before we can capture.
If you find a heron grounded with an injury and would like to attempt to contain it, please use leather gloves and wear glasses/goggles. These birds will try to jab you in the eye with their bill if they are still able to put up a fight. It’s best to use one hand to close the mouth and the other to pick up the body of the bird and gently move it into a large well ventilated box for transport.
For more great info on herons and how to contain, please go to this page: https://www.maine.gov/ifw/blogs/maine-heron-observation-network/how-help-injured-heron-safely
Rabies Vector Species (RVS):
BABY RACCOONS:
Raccoon mamas always come back for their babies if able.
If you are certain they have been orphaned, reach out to a licensed RVS rehabber.
Do not handle without gloves. This is a rabies vector species and rabies shots are very expensive if you get bit or scratched.
BABY FOXES-
Foxes usually have at least two dens and will move babies around. The dens can be in the woods, under sheds, woodpiles, etc.
Moms will sometimes leave them during the day and they will begin to explore on their own. This does not mean they need help. Please leave them be unless you are certain they are orphaned. If you are unsure or need advice, please contact us for guidance before intervening.
This is also an RVS species, do not handle without gloves
Note: It is a myth that if you see a fox out during the day, it has rabies. Foxes hunt small mammals such as mice, squirrels and bunnies which are all out during the day time hours.
ADULT FOXES or COYOTES w/mange:
We are unable to trap/treat foxes & coyotes with mange. However, if you would like to help, please see: Mange Treatment
ADULT RACCOONS:
Many times, people see raccoons near the road assume were hit by a car. They may be walking circles, curled up in a ball, and exhibiting strange behavior. It is possible the animal is injured but these are also symptoms of both distemper and rabies. Please do not approach an adult raccoon. Instead, please text us a video if possible so we can give you advice on how to proceed. Do not let pets near the animal. In some situations, the only thing we can do is contact DNR.
BATS- If you find a bat on the ground, please use thick gloves and a blanket/towel to pickup the animal and place him on a tree branch as high up as you can reach. Bats are unable to take off from the ground and need to be in a higher place. If it appears injured, contact a licensed RVS rehabber who specializes in bats. This is a rabies vector species so please approach with caution.
SKUNKS-
If you find an injured or orphaned skunk, handle with gloves only. This is an RVS species and they also will spray when they feel threatened.
Contact a licensed RVS rehabber for assistance.
REPTILES/AMPHIBIANS
SNAKES-
It is illegal to kill non-venomous snakes in the state of Georgia
If you are unsure what kind of snake it is, take a pic and send to us or post on the Facebook page “What kind of snake is this? Georgia” for immediate assistance. Please do not kill the snake and then ask what kind it was. 9/10 snakes killed were mis-identified.
Most people who are bitten by snakes are bitten while trying to kill them. If you leave them be, they will usually be on their way soon. Venomous or non, they all serve their purpose.
If you have a snake in your yard, garage, shed etc that you would like to evict, you can use a water hose to spray the snake and it will move along. Snakes follow a food source… if you have a snake hanging around, it’s because their are mice, lizards, chipmunks, etc that they are drawn to. You have to rid the food source before you can rid a snake problem
If you found a snake stuck in garden netting, please reach out for assistance asap. Ideally, cut the netting section it’s stuck in and place in a bucket for transport. We want to ensure it is safely cut away from their skin without damage.
If you find a snake on a glue trap, please do not leave it there to die. It can take a snake two weeks to starve to death on a glue trap while being unable to move. What a horrible death. Snakes can be safely removed from glue traps by professionals so reach out for assistance, even if you aren’t a snake lover. It’s the right thing to do.
TURTLES-
Why did the turtle cross the road? To get to the other side… If you find an uninjured turtle crossing the road, please place him on the side of the road in the direction he was heading and let him be. Do not relocate. Turtles spend their entire lives in a 1 mile radius.
If the turtle has been hit by a car, please get it to a licensed rehabber immediately. Turtles can suffer & survive for days even with the worst of injuries. They can also survive injuries you wouldn’t think possible.
If it is a snapping turtle, proceed with caution. Never pick up by the tail as it could injure the spine. The best suggestion is to use your car floor mat and pull him from the back of the shell onto the mat. Then drag the mat to the side of the road if simply helping him cross. You can pickup from the shell near the back section but be warned, they can snap their heads around quickly. If it is injured, use thick gloves to pick up near the back of the shell and place into a ventilated box for transport.
Turtles, including snappers, lay eggs in early summer-August. Please do not disturb the turtle during this process. She may be present for several hours and then will cover the eggs and be on her way. She may be lethargic once the process is complete. You can put a water dish nearby if you’d like but please do not get too close.
The mama will never return to the nest.
Eggs will hatch in 2-3 months (depending on species.) When the babies hatch, they will disperse in different directions & be on their way. Please do not disturb the nest.
CAT CAUGHT WILDLIFE-
ANY wildlife animal that has been in a cat’s mouth will not survive if they do not receive antibiotics. Cat saliva is toxic to wildlife, even if you don’t see an injury. If a bunny, bird, chipmunk, opossum, etc has been brought to you by a cat, it needs to get to a licensed wildlife rehabber immediately or it will not survive.
GLUE TRAPS-
Glue traps catch more birds, snakes, bunnies, and birds of prey than what they are actually intended to catch. Lizards will get stuck, a bird goes to eat the lizard and gets stuck, etc. Glue traps are one of the most brutal things ever invented. Animals suffer in shock and starvation for days, sometimes chewing off limbs to try to escape. Please do not use glue traps or let your exterminators use glue traps. If you find wildlife stuck in a glue trap, get in touch with a rehabber immediately! Do not try to pull the animal off, as it will tear the skin.
OTHER:
Beavers, coyotes, armadillos, otters, & bobcats…oh my…. There are too many species to list. No matter what the species, we always want to try to reunite a baby with it’s mom if the animal is uninjured. Wildlife babies have their best chance of survival being raised by their parents. It’s also very expensive to rehab wildlife and most of our rehabbers will be at capacity limits before April.
We have tried to outline the most common species we get calls about but if you need help with any wildlife animal not listed in detail, please text us at Georgia Wildlife Network, 404-954-0093 and we will be happy to assist.
TRANSPORT:
If it is advised the animal be brought to a rehabber, we ask you to make every effort to transport the animal as soon as possible. Our transport services are 100% volunteer based and only to be used as an absolute last resort. Our volunteers do not get paid and go on their own time, paying for their own gas. It can take hours to locate an available transporter and every minute counts when trying to save an animal’s life. Thank you for caring about our Georgia Wildlife!