Okanogan Wildlife League

1. Is the baby mammal a rabbit, dear fawn, seal pup or opossum?

Yes - See below.

No - Go to 2.

2.Is the baby mammal hurt or sick? (Bleeding, shivering, lethargic, attacked by a cat or dog, etc?)

Yes - Call a Wildlife Rehabilitator (509) 560-3828.

No - Go to 3.

3. Can you find the nest or den? Is it intact?

Yes - Place the baby in the nest or den (wear gloves).  Keep all pets and people away and WATCH FROM A DISTANCE, for 4-6 hours.

No - Go to 4.

4. Place the baby in a surrogate nest (see below), close to where it was found and off the ground (preferably in a tree or bush), out of the sun, rain, etc.  Keep all pets and people away and WATCH FROM A DISTANCE, for 4-6 hours. Go to 5.

5. Are the parents visiting the nest/den?

Yes - Leave the area.  Baby is fine.

No - Call a Wildlife Rehabilitator (509) 560-3828.

 

 

 

Baby Rabbit

If the nest is still intact, place the baby (or babies) back into the nest and cover with twigs or leaves. The nest will be a shallow depression in the ground, lined with fur, usually located under brush or other form of cover. Leave the area. If people or pets are present, the mother will not return. The mother visits the nest at dawn and dusk.

If the baby rabbits are at least four to five inches long, able to hop, have their eyes open and ears up, and there are no visible signs of injury, leave them alone. They are old enough to be on their own.

 

Deer Fawn

Mothers normally leave their babies alone while they forage for food. If the baby looks cold, hungry, injured, diseased, or confused, or if dogs, other animals, or people threaten his safety, or if you found the dead mother, call us at (509) 560-3828, or Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.

Otherwise, leave the baby alone and leave the area. The mother will not return if people or pets are present, sometimes as long as 48 hours if they sense danger.

Fawn that are hungry are often up searching and crying for mom. 

 

Seal Pup

Mothers normally leave their babies alone while they forage for food. If the pup looks cold, hungry, diseased, or confused, or if dogs, other animals, or people threaten the pup’s safety, call the Northwest Marine Mammal Stranding Hotline at 1.800.853.1964, managed by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Fisheries department. They will dispatch an expert to evaluate the pup. Otherwise, leave the baby alone and leave the area. The mother will not return if people or pets are present.

Never attempt to rescue a seal yourself. Doing so may endanger both you and the seal, and may also lead to heavy fines under the federal Marine Mammal Protection Act, which prohibits people from harassing, disturbing or capturing marine mammals.

**We most likely will not see seal pups in Okanogan County, but are posting this as information for those that may be looking for information on what to do!

 

Virginia Opossum

Young opossums who are five to six inches long (excluding the tail) are large enough to be independent from their mothers. If you find an opossum five to six inches or longer who does not appear to be injured or in distress, leave the animal alone. If you are uncertain of whether or not the animal is in distress, call a licensed wildlife rehabilitator.

 

How to make a surrogate nest

 

1. Find a container such as a small box (Kleenex box, butter dish, etc.).

 

2. Fill the box with leaves, paper towels or a clean, soft cloth.

 

3. Place the nest in the tree or bush closest to where the animal was found, out of the sun and rain, as high up as you can safely manage.  You can secure with a bungee cord, rope, tape, etc.

 

4. Place the animal(s) in the nest (wear gloves) and leave the area.  Watch for 2-4 hours to ensure that the parents visit or return to the nest.