It’s that time of year when many of us will notice all the new wild baby animals outside. As adorable as they all are, a common concern for families is whether or not these baby animals are orphaned. Most of the time, mom is hunting or gathering food and does a great job at being inconspicuous. As a general rule, most don’t need human intervention. However, it is helpful to familiarize yourself with the species that are common in your area in case you do find yourself in this situation.
One of the most prevalent concerns the Wisconsin Humane Society hears are in regards to bunny nests that appear abandoned when in fact, mom is keeping a safe distance so as to not draw unnecessary attention to her babies. The best way to tell if a bunny nest has been abandoned is by placing light twigs or pieces of string in a crisscrossed pattern over the nest, like you’re making a tic-tac-toe board. Check the nest the next day and if the twigs or string has been moved, it was most likely disturbed by the mother and you have no need to worry.
If nothing has been moved, you’ll want to contact your local wildlife rehabilitator immediately for further instruction. You’ll also want to be sure to wear gloves if you have to do any handling of the wild rabbits. For more information on this topic, please visit www.wihumane.org/wildlife.
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