What To Do If You Spot Baby Wildlife In Your Yard

This is what you should do if you find a baby animal in your yard in Michigan.

I’m sure many of us have gone out into our yards and discovered that there is a baby animal nestled in a nest. Obviously, finding baby animals is super adorable, but it’s good to know what you should or should not do to the nest, even if you are concerned for their safety.

The Kalamazoo County Animal Services and Enforcement recently released an image that has the best advice when encountering different animals in the grass, as a detailed on Facebook.

Found a baby wild animal? Most of the time, the best thing you can do is leave it alone. Many young animals that appear abandoned are actually being cared for by their parents, who may be nearby but out of sight. Removing healthy wildlife from the wild can reduce its chances of survival and may not be necessary. Learn more from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources about when wildlife needs help and when it should be left in the wild: https://www.michigan.gov/.../managing.../Wildlife/keep-wild

According to them, this is what you should do for each animal:

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Photo by John Davidson on Unsplash

Rabbit

In a grass nest? LEAVE IT!

• Mom visits 1–2 times per day.
• Put sticks in an X over the nest.
• If disturbed in 12 hours = Mom visited.

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Photo by Marie-Hélène Rots on Unsplash

Opossum

• More than 7 inches long = Independent.
• Less than 7 inches long and alone = Call a wildlife rehabilitator.

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Photo by Marie-Hélène Rots on Unsplash

Squirrel

• If it approaches you = it needs help.
• If it is in a tree = it's fine.

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Photo by 42 North on Unsplash

Bird

On the ground?

• Feathered and hopping = It is a fledgling. Leave it!
• Naked with eyes closed = Put back in nest.
• Injured = Call a wildlife rehabilitator.

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Photo by Erika Fletcher on Unsplash

Fawn

In tall grass? Leave it!

• No scent = can't be found.
• Mom returns 3–4 times per day.
• Only call if:
  • It's crying for more than 6 hours, or
  • Flies are circling it.

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Photo by Tom Dils on Unsplash

Raccoon

Leave it if active and alert.

• Mom returns 1–2 times per day.
• Only call if:
  
  • It's crying for more than 5 hours, or
  • Flies are circling it.