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Following are some general steps to take if you find wildlife you believe may be injured or orphaned.
First, BE EXTREMELY CAUTIOUS! Understand that any injured animal is frightened and will view any human as a threat. Consequently, they may strike out and cause you bodily harm. Also, wildlife has a high potential for carrying a variety of diseases including rabies. In many cases, when people with good intentions are bitten or scratched by wildlife, not only does that person have to endure medical treatment, but often the animal will need to be euthanized for rabies testing. It should be noted, however, that birds are not carriers of rabies.
If you do decide to proceed, use thick gloves and a towel to handle and restrain the wildlife. Place it in a box or container ensuring adequate ventilation and immediately contact either a veterinarian specializing in the treatment of wildlife or a licensed wildlife rehabilitator.
Note: It is illegal for any person other than a state-licensed rehabilitator to keep wildlife. These rehabilitators are well-qualified and experienced in caring for wildlife and reintroducing them to their natural habitat. Besides, it is never safe for you or fair for the wild animal to be kept as a pet. Please click on the link below to contact a wildlife rehabilitator.
If you find a baby bird without feathers, look around for its nest and if possible, return the bird back to its nest. Contrary to popular belief, parent birds have a poor sense of smell and will not reject their babies if returned to their nest. If the nest is too high to reach, you can try placing the baby in a little basket and hanging it as close as possible to the nest. If you do not see a parent bird within an hour, call a local wildlife rehabilitator for help.
Many fledgling birds jump from their nest and learn to fly from the ground up. If the bird is fully feathered, has a short tail and appears uninjured, leave it alone unless it is in imminent danger or if the parents have not returned to feed it within a couple of hours.
Connecticut offers a great opportunity for Bald eagle viewing during the winter months. Since 1985 Northeast Utilities has invited the public to visit its bald eagle observation area, located near the Shepaug hydroelectric station on the Housatonic River in Southbury, CT.
The observation area is open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays (except New Year's Day) from after Christmas through mid-March. Admission is free but reservations are required and can be made by calling 1-800-368-8954 Tuesdays through Fridays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m starting in early December.
To learn more information about visiting the eagles in Southbury, click on the link below.
