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KEEP WILDLIFE AWAY NICELY |
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I found a critter of some sort! What should I do?Is it an adult, and clearly hurt? Maybe a bird that hit a window or car, a turtle or squirrel that got run over? If the animal is clearly injured, but not so badly that you're sure it will die in just a few minutes, then call a wildlife rehabilitator.
There are names and numbers at the bottom of this page.
It is illegal for you to keep an animal or bird rescued from the wild.
You must pass it on to the proper authorities or a licensed wildlife rehabilitator.
IF IT IS A POSSIBLE RABIES VECTOR SPECIES SUCH AS A FOX, BAT, RACCOON, COYOTE OR SKUNK, DO NOT TOUCH OR APPROACH THE ANIMAL. STAY BACK AND OBSERVE ONLY FROM A SAFE DISTANCE. DO NOT LET YOUR DOG OR CAT NEAR THE ANIMAL.
Is it a baby? Maybe a small bird or young deer or other young creature?
The cardinal rule for finding wildlife is IF YOU CARE, LEAVE IT THERE
The reason for that rule is that more often than not the mother or parents are somewhere near, and 'saving' it will take it away from natural proper care. The mother deer may be nearby, the fledgling bird being watched and fed by nearby adults.
So how do you tell if that's the case?
OBSERVE.
Watch the animal for a while. Staying way back and watching unobtrusively--and making sure that no pets bother it--you may see the mother return once she feels it's safe. If that's the case, then the animal didn't need rescuing after all.
But it's crying/squeaking/chirping!!
That is how the parent will be able to locate it.
What if no mother comes after several hours?
Then you may want to call a wildlife rehabilitator. He or she will probably ask you a lot of questions, such as where the animal is located, how long it has been alone, and other things that may help determine if intervention is needed. You can figure some of it our yourself with the two links below, which lead to decision trees. Each page also has information about how to deal with that specific kind of animal.
Here is a link to a decision tree for dealing with a baby mammal.
Here is a link to a decision tree for dealing with a baby bird.
SO WHO SHOULD I CALL? For nuisance animals or a rehabilitator?
Here are some local NYS Licensed nuisance control people.
All phone numbers in 315 area code unless noted.
Rehabbers are prohibited by law from charging money - donations are
always helpful. Nuisance Control people are allowed to charge money and
many do.
NYS Licensed Nuisance Control People
Daniel Ebel (Bat specialist) Redwood/Hammond area 324 - 6392
Gerald & Irene Orvis Clayton 686 - 3322
Edward Barlow Clayton 686 - 5340
Rebecca Atnip LaFargeville 658 - 2095
Peter Vaadi LaFargeville 658 - 2335
Richard Todd Cape Vincent 654 - 3655
ABOUT RABIES
Because of recent cases of rabies in Jefferson County and on Wellesley
Island, do not handle or even approach any baby or adult raccoons. Stay
away from them and let them go their way. The same warning applies to
skunks. If such an animal is acting aggressive, do not attempt to scare
it off.
More Rabies Info
Any mammal can get rabies, and only mammals such as raccoons, skunks,
foxes, bats, dogs, cats—and people can get rabies.
Animals with rabies act differently from healthy animals. They may move
slowly or act as if they are tame. Some signs of rabies in animals are:
changes in behavior, general sickness, problems swallowing, increased
drooling, aggression, staggering, unusual daytime activity, weakness in
hindquarters.
Rabies can be prevented by the rabies vaccine, and through thorough
cleaning of the would.
If you are bitten by an animal that could have rabies, immediately clean
the wound with soap and water for five minutes, and seek medical
attention.
Contact Jefferson County Board of Health 786 - 3760
Dan Morgan USDA & Wildlife Services - Potsdam HQ
267 - 2288
Cell phone 315 - 2857 - 4311
e-mail dan.p.morgan@aphis.usda.gov
(Dan has been in charge of the Rabid Raccoon removal program in the
area. W.I. had 8 instances of rabies over the winter, probably due to
there being about 2 1/2 times the number of Raccoons this Island habitat
can sustain - I'm sure he'd be glad to give you more tips, hand-outs,
and info)
REHABILITATORS
If not near the Island, try these numbers:
Endangered Species Unit -
NYS DEC 518 - 402 - 8863
DEC Region #6 - Jeff, Lewis,& Herkimer Counties
William Gordon (wildlife manager) 785-2261
Andrew McDuff (wildlife biologist) 793 - 2254
The ONLY Vet in the region who is willing to take in or handle
"Exotics" (aka wildlife) is Dr. David Plante
North Country Animal Health Center Rt. 3 Watertown ( a
few miles out from the Malls, past Hounsfield, on the left)
785 - 9505 or 785 - 0143
Need help discouraging wildlife? Here's some.
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