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Wildlife Facts - Mothers will care for their young after being touched by human hands.
- It is illegal to possess wildlife without a special permit.
- Many baby birds leave the nest before they can fly.
- Opossums don’t sleep while hanging by their tail.
Orphaned and Injured Animals If you find an animal that may be orphaned or injured, follow these guidelines. - Please do not try to treat this animal yourself. This animal deserves the care of a knowledgeable licensed wildlife rehabilitator who can provide the most current medical and rehabilitation techniques to insure the successful release of the animal back to the wild.
- Never give food or water without consulting a licensed wildlife rehabilitator first. Giving food or water to an injured or orphaned animal can cause illness or death.
INJURED BIRDS AND MAMMALS DO NOT TOUCH the animal. Watch first from a safe distance. Determine if what you are seeing is truly an injury. Is it possible that this is just a behavior you have never seen before? - Bring your pets indoors (a large number of all wildlife injures treated by rehabilitators are caused by house pets).
- Write down a good description of the animal, its location, and what you think is wrong.
- Call a licensed wildlife rehabilitator for advice.
ORPHANED BIRDS Birds with most of their feathers that are hopping or running are usually not orphans. They have left the nest a day or so early and their parents will care for them on the ground while they are learning to fly. If you find a bird without most of its feathers, it's probably an orphan. Try to find the nest and return it. The parents will take it back and continue to care for it. If you are unable to find the nest... - Place the bird in a small box with a soft cloth in the bottom, and keep it warm.
- Call a licensed wildlife rehabilitator immediately.
ORPHANED MAMMALS If you find what you think is an orphaned mammal, DO NOT TOUCH it until you speak to a licensed wildlife rehabilitator. Some mammals carry rabies and you should speak with a rehabilitator before you handle them.
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Living with Wildlife 
