Think "CAUTION" When Discovering Wildlife

       For many of us, discovering a baby bird that's fallen out of it's nest or baby rabbits, hiding away in a lair brings out the  protective instincts that seems just built in our genes, somewhere. That inescapable need to help them survive from the rath of mother nature appears to come out at just the right time.  However, spotting a wild life baby doesn't necessarily signify an orphan on the edge of stravation and completely helpless until the end.

     Rather, many times, the parent may very be standing on the edge of the property watching, nervously, as a human tends to their baby.  Babies are often left behind for long periods of time. Never fear, the mother instinctively knows the length before she must return to care for them (up close and personal). 

     A good rule of thumb, when a baby creature is discovered in your back yard, observe from a short distance and determine:  healthy, moving around, verbalizing, then it probably doesn't need rescuing from it's parent.  It's very surprising how quickly parents will leave their young alone for a long period of time. After all, we  need to keep in mind, everyone needs food, and nature just seems to know when it's time for the parents to leave the nest safely.

     Here are few signs that wild animals need assistance from a professional wildlife service. If a dog or cat presents the animal alive, remove it from the dog/cat and  observe the following:

• Clear evidence of bleeding or open wounds
• A broken limb
• Shivering
• A dead parent nearby
• A featherless or near featherless bird on the ground

     There are many excellent wildlife services in the Cook/Du Page/Lake County area to call for assistance.  So let the experts work with the animal to establish the best course of action.  Here are three that may be just what you need the next time you see a young chick out of it's next too early.

     Listed below are three solid organizations to call or locate further information of their websites.

Willowbrook Wildlife Center
 Palatine

  630-264-104