Wildlife Emergency

Help! I found a baby squirrel or chipmunk

Squirrel and chipmunk babies are usually found in the spring and summer, with some species having a narrow margin of time to release before they return to hibernation. Identification of age and species is an important and helpful tool to attempt reunification efforts.

We recommend securing the animal in a cardboard box or other solid-sided container with air holes. DO NOT hold, play with, or cuddle the animal. This habituates them to human care and reduces their chances of being reunited with their family and/or being released back to the wild. Most species of squirrels and chipmunks in Utah are protected by the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources and it is illegal to hold them for longer than 24 hours without the intention of bringing them into a permitted facility. We highly recommend minimal handling and (if possible) handling with protective gloves to reduce the risk of transmitting zoonotic diseases.

• When you call the center (801-800-1776) we will ask you to send a photo so that we can identify the animal to ensure we are giving accurate advice.

• We will ask if the animal is injured - if it is injured (blood present, limping, wounds, etc.) we recommend that they come into us for care (please call us 801-800-1776 or see after hours instructions). If the squirrel/chipmunk is not injured, our first recommendation will be to reunite the animal with it’s family. This is something you can get started on your own if it is before/after hours and the squirrel or chipmunk is not injured. There are some exceptions to this:

  • Try reunification if:

    • The animal is alert and/or vocalizing (vocalizing helps attract the maternal parent)

  • Call to make an intake appointment (do NOT try reunification) if:

    • The squirrel/chipmunk is lethargic and/or dehydrated

    • You can see fleas/ectoparasites

    • You know the den has been destroyed

    • You know/have witnessed the maternal parent is injured or dead

    • If there are multiple babies

    • Hypothermic (feels cold)

• To reunite a baby tree squirrel with it’s family, look for signs of the maternal parent. She may be nearby chattering at you or running around. The maternal parent will be exhibiting stress and anxiety at the sight of a human with her offspring. If she is around, there is a good chance that a reunification may be successful. If you are able to identify the nest, place the baby in a cardboard box or other container that the baby cannot get out of but that the parent can get in/out of (usually a towel draped over the side can achieve this). Monitor intermittently for the parent to retrieve the offspring. We usually recommend at least 4 hours and consider reunification a failure if the parent does not return after 6 hours.

• Congrats! You have reunited a gosling with it’s family. If the effort fails, please call us (801-800-1776) to make an appointment to bring the bird in to us for care.

Help! I found an injured adult squirrel!

Baby ducks are called ducklings and the first step is identification. The Mallard duckling or hybrid mallard duckling are the most common to find, but there are feral domestic species that may be found as well. Mallard ducklings are yellow and dark brown with an eye stripe and are usually found by people on days 1-3 of life. Mallard moms typically nest near but not next to a body of water. This enables them to be safe while incubating their clutch and not bothered by other animals. See the photo example listed here to help you identify a Mallard duckling. A hybrid duckling will be the same general size and shape of a Mallard duckling but will have inconsistent coloration (see photo).

We recommend securing the animal in a cardboard box or other solid-sided container with air holes. DO NOT hold, play with, or cuddle the bird. This habituates them to human care and reduces their chances of being reunited with their family and being released back to the wild. Mallards are federally protected species and it is illegal to hold them for longer than 24 hours without the intention of bringing them into a permitted facility. Hybrid and domestic ducks are not protected and we will refer you to a domestic or exotic animal rescue, or you may keep them to raise yourself. We will take in these animals as a last resort if you are not able to get ahold of a domestic/exotic animal rescue service. Identification is important, so we do recommend sending us a photo so we can determine species.

• When you call the center (801-800-1776) we will ask you to send a photo so that we can identify the bird to ensure we are giving accurate advice.

• We will ask if the bird is injured - if it is injured (blood present, limping, wounds, etc.) we recommend that they come into us for care (please call us 801-800-1776 or see after hours instructions). If the bird is not injured our first recommendation will be to reunite the bird with it’s family. This is something you can get started on your own if it is before/after hours and the bird is not injured.

• To reunite a baby duck with it’s family, look for bodies of water that are close by. A Mallard may return to the chicks if she has lost her entire clutch; however she is not going to “come back to get the baby” if it is a single, or 2-3 birds, or sometimes, even if the entire clutch is left. The family will consist of only the mother mallard and babies, the male may be around, but will likely not be with the family. The family should have chicks that are the same size and coloring of the bird you have in your possession. If you find a family of Mallards and the chicks do not look and/or are not the same size as the bird you have found, do not attempt reunification.

• While we do not recommend feeding wildlife on an ongoing basis, this is the time where you can attract the family to you by tossing out waterfowl pellets, chopped lettuce, corn, peas, or seeds out to the family (do not toss out bread or dog food). Urban waterfowl are used to being fed, so this might attract the family to you. When the family gets close, place the duckling in with the group, and walk away - this ensures that the baby does not return or follow you. When you have created distance from the group, stick around and make sure that the baby has integrated with the family and, if possible, that it has adequate waterproofing. You will know right away if the Mallard mom does not accept the chick, she may attempt to kill or drown the bird. If this is the case and the effort fails, please call us (801-800-1776) to make an appointment to bring the bird in to us for care.

• Otherwise - Congrats! You have reunited a duckling with it’s family.
  
  

Help! I found an adult goose or duck with a fishing line/hook!

Unfortunately there is a fishing line crisis at our urban ponds in Utah. Waterfowl, shorebirds, and sometimes birds of prey become entangled in fishing lines or embedded with fishing hooks. The hooks do not easily come out as they often have a barb at the end and fishing lines wrap around legs and wings causing constriction and loss of blood flow to the limb.

• A bird with a fishing line entanglement or fishing hook always needs to come in for care.

• Do not attempt to remove these items yourself.

• Sometimes our fishing line cases can return to the wild the next day, sometimes in 5-7 days, and sometimes they need extensive care. With our on-site veterinary staff we are able to remove these items gently and under anesthesia to avoid discomfort and pain, and evaluate if the animal needs antibiotics or other medications to help with limb blood flow.