AR-News: (US) BABIES ON BOARD! SPRINGTIME BRINGS EXTRA CONCERNS FOR WILDLIFE, SAYS FUND FOR ANIMALS

[Tracey McIntire]

For Immediate Release

BABIES ON BOARD! SPRINGTIME BRINGS EXTRA CONCERNS FOR WILDLIFE, SAYS 
FUND FOR ANIMALS

SILVER SPRING, MD (March 29, 2003)  This time of year, people may think 
theyre home alone until they hear ghostly scratching noises coming from 
the attic, or chirping sounds resonating from the chimney. Its baby 
season! Springtime is when many wild animals take advantage of holes in 
attics, uncapped chimneys, and openings under sheds to raise their 
young, said Laura Simon, the Urban Wildlife Director of The Fund for 
Animals, who recently appeared on The Ellen DeGeneres Show.

The easiest and most humane solution is merely to wait it out. The 
mother will move her family when the young are big enough, said Simon. 
Dont move the babies from their den site or the mother wont find them.

According to Simon, trapping is a cruel and inhumane solution and will 
not solve the problemthe mother animal usually gets trapped, leaving 
the orphaned babies behind. And hiring a commercial trapper can cost 
hundreds of dollars for a problem that homeowners can easily solve 
themselves.

Simon recommended these simple, humane solutions for evicting unwanted 
wildlife:

--For mammals, place a blaring radio, lights, and ammonia-sprinkled rags 
near the den or nest to encourage their departure. (For raccoons in the 
chimney, place the deterrents in the fireplace).

--Do this just before the animals normal activity time; i.e. in the 
early evening for nocturnal species or in the early morning for diurnal 
(or daytime-active) species.

--After the animals are gone, be sure to put chimney caps on flues and 
close any other holes in the home.

Simon also cautioned would-be rescuers of orphaned wildlife to make 
sure the animal is really orphaned. Certain wild animals, such as deer 
and rabbits, leave their young alone and only return to nurse them a few 
times a day. Only if a fawn is injured, wandering and crying 
incessantly, or if the mother is definitely dead, should a licensed 
wildlife rehabilitator be contacted (call your local fish and wildlife 
agency for a referral).

Simon also points out that contrary to myth, a baby songbird who has 
fallen out of the nest can simply be put back. If the nest is 
unreachable, the baby can be placed in a shallow wicker basket attached 
securely to a nearby tree limb.

The Fund for Animals has excellent tips for helping the public 
understand and solve wildlife dilemmas this time of year through its 
urban wildlife hotline at 203-389-4411 or its web site at www.fund.org.