During the spring and summer, it is not uncommon to come across unattended baby wild animals in neighborhoods and parks. Often routine seasonal maintenance leads to the discovery. An eager baby leaves the nest and his parents feed him there all day or even two, until he is able to move on.  

Since wild animal mothers and fathers WILL (even though we were taught otherwise) feed babies that have been handled by humans, we should return babies to the nest or move the nest to a safe area accessible to the parents, protected from predators and the elements whenever possible. If the nest is destroyed or out of reach, you can place babies in a nearby protected shrub where parents can feed and watch over them safely.  Babies that are walking or flying can be left alone until parents return. It is true that many parent animals will not approach the nest for hours after a person has disturbed it. Certainly, they will not return if people are near the nest, watching. Only if you have evidence that the parents have died or the baby is seriously injured, should you intervene in the care of a baby animal.

Commonly, people try to feed baby animals bread, milk or egg. All these foods are harmful to baby birds and mammals. Please do not give these foods to baby animals. It's complicated to care for a baby animal sufficient that his release into the wild will be successful.  Contact your local animal shelter, the Department of Natural Resources or your Fish and Game Warden to locate the nearest wildlife center if you want the baby to survive. You can volunteer at the center and work toward your wildlife rehabilitation permit so that you can successfully care for orphans in the future.

Wading birds (herons), Birds of Prey, Kestrels, Chimney Swifts, and Hummingbirds require special handling. Large birds can be dangerous, inflicting serious injury to people. If you find these birds in trouble call a wildlife center for assistance, immediately. Skunks, fox, raccoon and bats can have rabies or parasites that are harmful to people. If you find these animals contact the local animal control agency for advice. These animals can often be rehabilitated and released safely by wildlife handlers who have received rabies inoculation and have the necessary specialized permits and facilities.

WHAT TO DO FOR BABIES
PRECOCIAL BABIES: Baby quail, waterfowl, beaver and porcupines are born able to walk with their eyes are open. They are usually covered with fluffy feathers or fur. Ducklings and goslings may prefer to wade in water while they eat but should not have unlimited access to swimming water or they will sleep in the water and become chilled. Prepared starter foods are available for most of these babies from farm supply and feed stores. One baby alone may not eat and therefore will not survive. Look for a wildlife center with other babies of the same age and species. Social experience with their own species is important early in life. These babies become very attached to each other and their care takers and must be handled carefully if they are to be safely released.

ALTRICIAL BABIES: Baby song birds and mammals are born or hatched without feathers or fur and their eyes are closed. They cannot support their own weight except briefly to open their mouth for food. They cannot maintain their body temperature. In just a few weeks birds will have pin feathers and mammals will have fur. In just a few more they will begin flying or walking around. 

Baby animals must be kept warm and can not be fed ANYTHING including emergency hydration solutions, until they are returned to normal body temperature. Species identification is critical for proper selection of formula which should never be cow's milk in any form. In any case, babies can survive longer without food than they can once they have been fed something harmful. Please call your local wildlife centers before you feed any baby animal any thing, especially water. Babies easily drown by breathing the water offered. 

 If the baby is bruised, bleeding, or has broken bones do not feed it, even when warm. Call a veterinarian or wildlife center for additional instructions immediately. If the baby seems healthy, examine the baby for mites (tiny crawling insects) or fly eggs (sticky white dots). Remove them carefully so as not to injure the baby's skin. If you clean around the baby's vent or anus with a warm, moist cotton ball, you may stimulate urination or defecation. Baby mammals cannot eliminate on their own. Pat the baby dry so as not to damage feathers or fur. Do not allow water to enter the ears or nostrils. 

If you are instructed to transport an orphaned baby to a wildlife center, you may want to take the nest to the center for species identification but separate the babies from it. It will be difficult to keep clean and may contain parasites. Place the babies in a small dish or box with crumpled paper towel for bedding. Babies can be injured by loose threads of cloth or slippery newspaper. 

If someone is coming to pick up the babies, place the dish/box inside an aquarium with a screen lid. Warm the aquarium to 80-90F by placing a heating pad under part of the aquarium. Hang a thermometer inside the aquarium to monitor temperature  and check for hot spots. Be sure the heating pad is not directly under the dish/box that contains the babies because the babies can not move if they get too warm.

Most wild life rehabilitators prefer that you not feed the baby but may ask you to provide emergency rehydrating formula from a veterinarian. Pedialyte may be used in an emergency in which the baby is too weak to survive transportation without it. Even in such a case, veterinary solutions are more successful than pharmacy drinks.

Again, do not feed egg, milk, or bread. Baby animals have delicate intestinal flora suited only for their mother's milk. Improper introduction of artificial formula will cause diarrhea. Diarrhea can kill an infant animal. Other risks to baby animals are bright light or loud noise from television or stereos. You should not allow household pets to lick the babies because bacteria from their mouths that is not harmful to people is harmful to baby wild animals. You should not allow your children to handle the baby because as much as your children will enjoy this experience the baby animal will be extremely frightened even if he appears to be "resting".

If you are lucky enough to be of help to an infant wild animal, please take your role seriously and get the professional help that will make his survival most probable.