URBAN ANIMAL: Leave wild baby animals where they belong

Dear readers,

Summer can be prime time for phone calls such as the one I received a few days ago from a young friend: "I've found a baby rabbit. What should I feed it?"

The local veterinary clinic had already advised she return the baby to its original location, but she wasn't convinced. "It's so cute! I want to keep it!"

A juvenile rabbit is, well, astoundingly adorable, and I understand why she wanted to give it a name and take it home with her. But it's important to realize wild animals, although they may appear to need our help, are most often best left alone.

Also, it is illegal to keep wildlife in captivity without approval from the Ministry of Natural Resources.

In the case of baby rabbits and deer, for example, their mothers hide their offspring to conceal them from predators then leave them for long periods while they forage for food. The tiny rabbit my friend picked up wasn't injured, so it was important she return it to its original location. I asked her to think about how the mother rabbit would feel if she returned to her babies to find one missing.

With a heavy sigh, she promised to take it back and, later, her mother phoned to say the baby had been carefully returned in the hope of a speedy family reunion.

How do you know if an animal is truly orphaned?

Don't assume that intervention is required. Leave the area and check back on it every day or two and keep cats and dogs away.

The mother may have sensed your arrival, but was unable to move her offspring to a safer spot. She may well be watching you from a hiding place, waiting for you to go away. When you do, she'll rescue her brood and move them to an alternate site.

Many years ago, I discovered a young fawn curled up in tall grass while hiking with friends and our energetic group of dogs. The fawn was absolutely beautiful, but as much as we wanted to continue admiring it, we rushed out of the area. A line of trees in the near distance would have provided a hiding place for the mother who was probably watching us and fearing for the life of her offspring.

I can only imagine what was going through that mother's mind when she saw people and dogs approaching her fawn.

How can you tell if the animal is sick or injured?

If you see a wound, blood, parasites, a detached limb, or detect the animal is having breathing difficulties, it's difficult to walk away without trying to help. The best plan is to get to a telephone as quickly as possible and call a veterinary hospital or wildlife centre for instructions.

If you're camping or vacationing away from home and don't know where to turn for help, visit the closest town.

Staff at pet supply stores, grocery stores, government offices, police stations and chamber of commerce offices may be able to direct you to the nearest veterinary hospital or local wildlife organizations.

Information is also available on the Internet.

Visit Ontario SPCA Wildlife Rehab Centre www.ontariospca.ca/4-wildlife-guidelines International Wildlife Rehab Council www.iwrc-online.org or Ontario Wildlife Rehab and Education Network www.owren-online.org

Email jacque-newman@rogers.com with a question, comment or suggestion.