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Stark Parks Wildlife

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• Common Wildlife Concerns
• Sanders Center Wildlife and the Adopt an Animal Program
• Vernal Pool Monitoring and Amphibian Survey

COMMON WILDLIFE CONCERNS

Table of Contents

1. WHAT SHOULD I DO IF I FIND A WILD ANIMAL EITHER INJURED OR ORPHANED?
2. There is this bird that is banging itself into our windows. Why is he doing this and how can I get him to stop?
3. I found a baby bunny in my yard. What should I do with it? What can I do to take care of it?
4. My cat/dog brought an animal home and it is injured.  Will the Sanders Center take it?
5. A tree was cut down and a nest of baby squirrels fell out of a hole. Will the mom return for them?
6. I have an _________ (animal) in my chimney.   What am I to do?
7. There is a bird in my yard; it can’t fly.
8. There is a groundhog/raccoon/critter in my yard. Can I bring it to the Sanders Center?
9. There apparently is a LARGE, possibly injured, hawk-like/owl-like bird in my yard. It looks mean and I do not want to go near it. What should I do?
10. There is a raccoon/skunk in my yard. Can I bring it to the Sanders Center?
11. I have a bat in my house!!! What can be done?
12. There are workers replacing gutters on my home. Upon removal, they have found a  nest (i.e. squirrel or bird). What should be done with it?

WHAT SHOULD I DO IF I FIND A WILD ANIMAL EITHER INJURED OR ORPHANED?

• State law requires permitting to take or house wild mammals or any endangered or threatened species. All bird species in the state of Ohio, except pigeons, starlings, and European finches are also protected by federal law. If members of the general public find a wildlife specimen in need of assistance, they are permitted by law to contain it only long enough to transport it to a certified rehabilitator. It is not legal to make a pet out of a wild animal.
• If a baby animal is found without its mother, you must determine whether it really is orphaned. It could be that the parents are close by or care for the babies at night, as do rabbits. If given a choice, the rate of survival for wildlife young is much better if they remain in the wild rather than in captivity. If in doubt, contact Stark Parks' Sanders Wildlife Rehabilitation Center at 330-477-0448, or another licensed rehabilitator or animal control center.
• Handle injured and orphaned wildlife with care and caution to prevent injury to both you and the animal. With all birds of prey and mammals, use of leather gloves is highly recommended. If an animal appears diseased or uncharacteristically tame, DO NOT attempt to handle it. Call the rehab naturalist at Stark Parks for advice or referal: 330-477-0448.
• When transporting wildlife to a certified rehabilitator it is important to use an escape-proof container.  Preferably cover the container with a cloth to keep the animal(s) calm. Minimal handling is crucial to prevent stressing of the animal.
• DO NOT feed the animal without the advice of a professional. Inappropriate diets can cause additional harm.
• The Sanders Center does not accept raccoons or skunks for rehab due to the threat of distemper and rabies being spread to resident/rehab animals. We also do NOT accept domestic animals or exoctic animals. Canada geese are treated on a case-by-case basis and may not be released on Sippo Lake.

COMMON SEASONAL CONCERNS

WINTER:       BIRDS OF PREY\COMMON INJURIES (vehicle/stationary impacts, etc)

(Late February – Baby Squirrels:  Beware of nests and cavities when cutting trees down.  The mother is likely to come to retrieve the babies.)

SPRING:         BUNNIES-SQUIRRELS-BABY BIRDS-WATERFOWL

SUMMER:     BUNNIES-SQUIRRELS-BABY BIRDS-CHIMNEY SWIFTS (AUG)

FALL:              LATE BATCHES OF SQUIRRELS-GOLDFINCHES (AUG-SEPT)

WHO TO CALL:     
                                                Animal Control Officer - See government pages of phone book.
                                                Local Law Enforcement Officials - See government pages of phone book.
                                                State Division of Wildlife - See government pages of phone book.
                                                Area Rehabilitation Specialist - See phone book. 
                                                                    For Stark County, Ohio call (330) 477-0448

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There is this bird that is banging itself into our windows. Why is he doing this and how can I get him to stop?

The bird is protecting its’ territory because it is seeing its own reflection – but thinks it is another male bird invading his turf.

The best methods to try:

1. Tape streamers or balloons to the outside of the window to provide motion which in turn deters the birds.
2. Cover the most common areas of the window with newspaper/trash bag to block the glare on the window.

This typically lasts approx. 1-3 months – depending on the bird and the length of seasons.

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1. If the rabbit is apparently injured, contact a wildlife official as listed above.
2. If the rabbit is active, its eyes are open and ears are erect, the animal is fine on its own-is weaned from its mother-even though it looks small. It may only fit in the palm of your hand. It’s best to let it be wild! If necessary, relocate to an area with brushy habitat that provides sufficient cover. Wild animals are protected by law and cannot be kept as pets without special permits.  They do not survive well in captivity.

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If the animal is obviously injured, contain the animal (wear gloves of some type) in a towel, place in a box for transportation and keep him/her quiet. High stress levels can kill an animal just as easily as an injury. Do not ‘cuddle’ it with love.   This only intensifies the stress level.

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A tree was cut down and a nest of baby squirrels fell out of a hole. Will the mom return for them?

Yes, the mother will more than likely return to retrieve her young as long as she is alive and well. If she is injured in the felling of the tree or traumatized, she may not return. Allow several hours before retrieval. If she does not return, provide warmth until they can be transferred to a wildlife official.

         What should I feed the squirrels?

It is best not to feed the squirrels if you do not have the proper formulas. This can do more harm than good. Only follow proper instruction when given by a wildlife official.

         Can I keep them?

These critters are protected by state law.  You may not keep them as pets.

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I have an _________ (animal) in my chimney.   What am I to do?

Bird commonly found in uncapped/uncovered chimneys/fireplace.

CHIMNEY SWIFTS NEST IN ACCESSIBLE CHIMNEYS

1. Close flue to avoid bird in house.
2. Allow sufficient time for the bird to either fledge/leave the chimney.
3. Cover/cap the chimney to avoid future reoccurrence.

1. A baby bird falls into fireplace, replace it above flue against brick (it will cling to the brick)

and close flue.

2. A baby bird falls into fireplace and is apparently injured: contact a wildlife official/rehab person.
3. If a nest is destroyed/falls into fireplace, place birds in small container and place above flue (if ledge)-mother will continue to care for.
4. Other situations, contact a wildlife official.

RACCOONS, BATS, SQUIRRELS, AND OTHER ANIMALS.

1. Contact a wildlife official.
2. Situations are individual according to occurrences.
3. Allow animal to leave.  Uncover chimney if necessary
4. Once animal has left, cover/cap chimney.

1. Animal is injured, contact a wildlife rehab official.
2. Animal is in fireplace, attempt to contain the animal WITH CAUTION and release or turn over to an official.

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1. The bird is active, chirping and hopping it is probably a fledgling, or juvenile bird too big to remain in the nest, and in the next few days will fly away. The mother is more than likely close by, finding it with communicative chirps, and feeding it.
2. The bird is NOT active, eyes closed, NOT chirping/hopping, feather-less (any of these) contact a wildlife official. Some babies accidentally fall from the nest. If there are apparent injuries, transfer to a rehab person. If it is possible to return it to the nest, please do so in a SAFE AND CAUTIONARY fashion. DO NOT attempt this with possible injury to yourself!
3. Bird is apparently an adult and not flying, contact a wildlife official and/or transfer to a wildlife rehab person.

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    Can you come take it away?

The Education Center is basically a "hospital without an ambulance". We rely on the public to bring in most of the injured/orphaned wildlife.

    How can I get rid of it?

A common method of deterring an animal from living in a burrow under buildings is to soak rags in ammonia. Use a broomstick or like device to place into dens/burrows (where retrievable). The smell of the ammonia will annoy the critter and it will probably leave. The rags may need to be re-soaked as ammonia evaporates, yet this is a fairly inexpensive remedy. Thus, once observed leaving, chicken wire works well to place around the bottom of building – or install a cement pad underneath. Situations vary and can have various preventative techniques.

There is also the possibility of trapping the animal live using a commercial trapper or a rented trap. Rentals and commercial trappers numbers are available at the Education Center. Renting traps require that you be responsible for release/mandatory euthanization of the animal.

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1. Contact a wildlife official or the Sanders Center of Outdoor Education at (330) 477-0448.
2. A pick-up may be arranged for situations which might endanger the public or inexperienced concerned individuals.
3. We will send an experienced volunteer or staff member to pick-up the animal ONLY IF THE CALLER OR ANOTHER PERSON WILL STAY WITH THE ANIMAL OR KEEPS IT UNDER SURVEILANCE UNTIL ASSISTANCE ARRIVES.  For your own safety, please keep a safe distance from the animal.

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1. This facility is not equipped to accept raccoons or skunks due to the concern over distemper and rabies. Because we rehabilitate a variety of mammals, the threat of an epidemic is not impossible. To diagnose any disease, we would also have to quarantine the animal for 65 days before release. We do not have the cage space to hold animals that long.
2. You may contact us for other possible remedies concerning these animals.

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1.     Wait until dusk
2.     Open a window or door
3.     Turn on outside lights/turn off inside light sources (even TV/Computer)
4.     Let bat find its own way out
5.     Do not try to chase the bat out of the house!  This causes stress (to both of you)!

If the bat does not leave . . .

1.     Allow the bat to find a resting spot.
2.     Use a container (a coffee can works great) and a piece of cardboard.
3.     Place can over bat
4.     Slide cardboard piece over opening, trapping bat inside can and
       covering it at the same time.
5.     Keep covered.
6.     DO NOT TOUCH BAT WITH BARE HANDS. IT WILL BITE TO DEFEND
       ITSELF LIKE ANY OTHER ANIMAL.
7.     Release bat against the side of a tree or allow it to fly away
8.     DO NOT TRY TO CATCH A FLYING BAT.

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The entire nest and contents (babies, etc) can be placed in small box/plastic container and placed as close as possible to the original nest site.  The mother will continue to care for her babies.

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Revised: June 20, 2007.