Wildlife Rescue Guide

Fawns

The baby has been crying (a "maaappp" sound) for more than 1 hour

The baby is injured or has been attacked by another animal

The baby is lying on its side, stretched out, cold to the touch, and cold inside the mouth

The baby walks directly up to humans

The edges of the ears are curled (indicates dehydration)

The baby is in a dangerous place (e.g., in water, on a high ledge) trapped in a fenced in area or parking lot)

The doe is dead

Raccoons

The baby has been crying continuously

The baby remains in the same spot for 24 hours

The eyes are closed and the baby is alone

The baby is lying on its side, stretched out, and cold to the touch

The baby is injured or has been attacked by another animal

The mother is dead or has been removed and relocated more than 24 hours previously

The baby walks non-aggressively up to humans

Skunks

The baby is crying continually (making a mewling sound like a kitten)

The eyes are closed and it is out of the den

The baby is lying on its side, stretched out, and cold to the touch

The baby is injured or has been attacked by another animal

The mother is dead or has been removed or relocated more than 24 hours previously

Chipmunks

The baby is injured or has been attacked by another animal

The eyes are still closed and the baby is out of its den

The den or nest is totally destroyed and the mother has not returned to move the babies within 12 hours

The baby is lying on its side, stretched out, and cold or is overly thin (indicates dehydration)

The mother is dead

Squirrels

The baby is crying (making a high, almost continuously pitched squeal sound) for any length of time

The eyes are still closed and the baby is out of its nest

The baby walks directly up to humans

The baby is injured or has been attacked by another animal

The mother is dead or has been removed or relocated more than 24 hours previously

Rabbits

The baby is crying (making a high-pitched scream)

The nest is flooded or totally destroyed, especially if other babies nearby are dead

The baby is cold or looks overly thin (indicates dehydration)

The mother is dead or has abandoned the nest (cross sticks over the nest in a pattern; wait 12 to 24 hours before checking the nest again to see if it has been disturbed)

The baby has been attacked or is injured

The eyes are closed and the baby is out of its nest

Woodchucks

The eyes are closed and the baby is out of its den

The baby is injured or has been attacked by another animal

The baby is lying on its side, stretched out, and is cold to the touch

The mother is dead or has been removed or relocated more than 24 hours previously

Foxes

The eyes are closed and the baby is out of its den

The baby is injured or has been attacked by another animal

The baby is lying on its side, stretched out, and cold to the touch

The mother is dead or has been removed or relocated more than 24 hours previously

Bear Cubs

DO NOT ATTEMPT TO RESCUE BEAR CUBS

Contact the state division of Fish, Game, and Wildlife for professional assistance

Wildlife Rescue Guide, Wild & Free, Inc., Layton, NJ