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Have you found an "orphan" baby mammal or bird? |
| (1) Do NOT attempt to feed the animal! |
| (2) Call 228-452-WILD and LEAVE A DETAILED MESSAGE. |
| (3) Our Center is open from 9 AM to 5 PM. |
| (4) Messages left after hours will be returned ASAP the following morning. |
If you have a wounded, or orphaned, bird or mammal and you are unable to contact WRANPS, please read and follow these instructions until someone at WRANPS is able to return your call. |
WARNING: Caring for wildlife requires extensive knowledge in wildlife nutrition, natural history, etc. Information obtained on the internet is not reliable, nor in the best interest of the animal. Attempting to raise or care for wildlife takes a great deal of time, knowledge, and training. Please give us a call and if you are interested in raising wildlife, we do offer training workshops for potential volunteers. |
Click here for instructions for caring for baby opossum until you can speak with someone at WRANPS. |
Click here for instructions on Raptors. |
| Click here for instructions on what to do if you find a bat. |
| Orphaned Baby Wildlife Instructions | ||
| Tips: | ||
| (1) | Wild animal parents ALWAYS do a better job than we can with their young. It is our primary goal to reunite them with their parents. Please call WRANPS, leave a message, and we will be able to assist you with species specific suggestions. | |
| (2) | If it is decided that the babies are unable
to be reunited with mom: Please keep them covered in a small box, with a heating pad on low under the bottom half of the box. Keep babies away from the TV, A/C, etc. Do not let your children handle them! Wild animals carry disease, have species specific requirements (that wildlife rehabilitators are familiar with), and DO NOT WANT TO BE YOUR PET. It is against Mississippi State law for unlicensed individuals to raise wildlife. It is also against Federal Law for any unlicensed individual to posses a federally protected migratory bird. Fines up to $5,000 may be issued for breaking this law. |
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| (3) | If the animal has been caught by a cat it must be immediately brought to WRANPS, since cats have bacteria in their saliva which is fatal to wildlife unless antibiotics are administered. Orphans that appear lethargic, have blood running from nose or mouth, have been caught by a cat or dog, have been fed any sort of cow's milk or other inappropriate formula, have been in your (or someone else's possession) for longer than 24 hours, also must be admitted into WRANPS. | |
| Adult Injured Animals | ||
| Tips | ||
| (1) | Please keep them in a warm dark and QUIET place. | |
| (2) | Please keep wild animals covered and never put a wild bird in a bird cage (they destroy their feathers) | |
| (3) | Never house a wild animal in an open area. | |
| (4) | During our spring and summer months WRANPS receives up to 50 calls daily. We have a small staff and volunteers who are working around the clock seven days a week to help our Mississippi wildlife. | |
| (5) | Please leave a message and WE WILL RETURN YOUR CALL ASAP! | |
| (6) | Transport the animal (only after you have spoken to someone at WRANPS) to the wildlife center! Last year WRANPS treated over 1400 wild animals. Please do not leave animals at gate after hours. | |
| (7) | We have only a few volunteers who help with wild animal rescue and transport. Callers are encouraged to transport wildlife to WRANPS. | |
| (8) | If you are interested in helping with TRANSPORT/WILDLIFE RESCUE, please call 1-228-452-9453. WRANPS is always looking for people interested in volunteering and we have workshops offered for those interested in raising wildlife. | |
| Qualifications: | ||
| 18 years of age or over, Member of WRANPS, and attended volunteer orientation and workshop for species of interest. | ||
