The best outcome for
injured animals is rescue, rehabilitation and return to the wild.
car, call a rehab offi cial to check her pouch for potential babies. “If you fi nd a young deer fawn or moose calf, leave it. The mother comes back several times each day to nurse,” advises Amanda Nicholson, director of outreach for the Wildlife Center of Virginia, in Waynesboro. “Its coloring helps it remain undetected by predators.”
Other Unexpected Encounters
“Don’t feed wild animals or leave out food or accessible comestible trash. Bobcats, wolves, bears and coyotes will avoid people unless food is involved,” cautions Jennifer Place, program asso- ciate for Born Free USA, a nonprofi t in Washington, D.C. “Wild animals protect their space, food and young, so stay on marked trails when hiking and never turn your back on them.”
For unexpected meetings, stay calm. “Make sure there’s an escape route for the animal,” says Place. “With foxes or coyotes, throw sticks or small rocks, but don’t hit the animal. Make yourself look large and yell.” With snakes, sidestep away slowly for more than six feet before walking in the other direction. Bears require a different response. “Speak in a low voice so the bear realizes you are not prey. Never climb a tree,” says Place. “Bears know the terrain, can run faster than a horse and can climb trees, too. Sidestep away, remaining carefully upright, calm and unthreatening. If the bear moves toward you, keep talking until he moves away. Running kicks in its prey drive.” Yellowstone Park regulations require visitors to stay 25 yards away from most wildlife and 100 yards away from bears and wolves. Selfi e photos with animals can result in injury or death for humans and animals through carelessness; safety depends on good judgement, respect and common sense. Friends of wildlife know beforehand
how to contact local rehabilitators if there’s an emergency, observe before taking action and protect pets. “Always
Transport Tips Wildlife
If a wild animal is injured, wear heavy gloves in its vicinity to avoid being bitten or scratched. Completely cover the animal with a blanket so it stays relatively calm, and place it in a carrier for transport to a rehabilitation facility. A warm hot water bottle can help ward off shock. Do not give the animal water, milk or food. Time is of the essence to ward off dangers of stress. Wild animals can carry disease without appearing to be ill. Fleas, ticks and mites are likely, so keep injured wildlife away from pets and children.
leash dogs when going into the yard at night and keep cats indoors,” says Place. “Peaceful co-existence allows for the safety of both people and animals, domestic and wild.”
Connect with freelance writer Sandra Murphy at
StLouisFreelanceWriter@mindspring.com.
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