Living Harmoniously with Wildlife

— by Will McIntosh

Phew! What a hot summer! After that vicious winter and our mediocre spring, this wallop of heat is a welcome change… as long as you can get out of the sun!

In the wildlife world, this time of the year is a transitional time. Baby animals are no longer small, animals aren’t breaking into attics as the heat in the attics is too much, and generally, it gets quiet about them breaking into homes. The topic I wish to address in this issue is: baby animals being abandoned.

We field dozens of calls a week on this issue, so I wish to raise some awareness on what to do, who to call, and how to handle things if this situation arises.

Q. I have baby raccoons/skunks in my backyard, and no mother in sight. Are they abandoned?

A. Several factors need to be considered here. First, baby raccoons playing in your backyard without a mother in sight doesn’t mean she’s not keeping watch. It’s normal for the mother to be resting or having a nap nearby and shortly collecting her babies by calling them. If you see the babies for several days, and no mother at all, consider how they look by answering these questions. Is their fur clean? Are they huddled together constantly, or roaming and exploring? Please keep in mind, if the mother truly isn’t around for the babies, she hasn’t abandoned them. Her maternal instinct for her babies is too strong for her to walk away after raising them for weeks. It isn’t abandonment if she is injured or deceased.

Q. Raccoon/skunk mother is confirmed deceased. What should I do?

A. Call a rehabilitation centre. Wildlife and pest control companies (like mine) are designed to remove animals from inside and/or from underneath structures. To rehabilitate an animal in Ontario, you have to have a special license. Most, if not all, wildlife companies do not have that authority or ability to rehabilitate animals. Please note, however; if you decide to get involved in this situation, it may cost you a lot of time and legwork. Many rehabilitation centres are either group based (i.e. reptiles, rabies vector, etc.) or species specific. Depending on the species, the centre may accept or reject them. You may have to call multiple locations to find one that will accept the babies. Also, the centres may be at maximum capacity, due to the season.

Q. Can’t I just call an animal control company to come and get it?

A. In many townships of Ontario, true ‘animal control’ doesn’t exist in regard to wild animals. Most are private entities that have to charge based on a fixed fee. So, if you wish for someone to come and take the animals to a rehabilitation facility, expect to have to pay a fee of some kind. Sometimes the rehabilitation facility can send out a representative to receive the animals in question, but this is also on a case-by-case basis and should not be expected of the facility.

Q. I have an injured wild animal, what do I do?

A. Either contact a rehabilitation centre, or a local veterinarian for advice on what steps to take. It’s very important to take into account that those who work for and volunteer at the rehabilitation centres have worked with animals closely. The instructions that they give you should be followed as closely as possible! Even if you don’t necessarily agree, they work with animals 365 days a year, so please trust that they have the animal’s best interest in mind.

We all want to see animals thrive, and survive in their own habitats living to the best of their ability. So be cautious and certain that you don’t accidentally insert yourself into a situation that may separate a mother from her babies!

Will McIntosh is co-owner of Exit Wildlife and Pest Control, and can be reached through the Exit Wildlife website.