"If you care, leave them there..."

[surlywench]

Educational post on what happens when people try to "rescue" wild animals. No, this isn't every person or evey situation, but it is still sound advice.

http://jaded-butterfly.livejournal.com/282508.html?view=399244

[Taffy Saltwater]

How awful for the little innocents - thanks for sharing this important advice.

[Andreadoria]

Thank you for sharing this. It is very important for every one to understand that rabies is very dangerous it is always best to call for help when little creatures are found.

[KissMeKate]

I can't read the article from here (I can't look at livejournal or anything like that through the company firewall), but I will check it out. I do know there's a concern for saving wildlife and although many animals are going through normal life situations, like fledging, I have found myself in situations where I can save a wild animal, if I made that choice.

I found a raccoon stranded at the base of a bridge pylon, just upstream from a dam. He/she/it had managed to get down the pylon to the log jam and a tasty dead fish, but wasn't able to get back up. I called nearly every type of place I could think of, but no one wants to save a raccoon because they can carry rabies and other diseases, or because they can swim (they can't swim that fast!). I found one guy who was willing to take a pole net on his way home and said he would try. That was all I wanted. I figured any option was better than slow death by exposure. The end of the story? The raccoon didn't struggle in the net, looked back at the guy once, and tottered off once he was back on land. I sent the guy a box of homemade cookies as a thank you.

If you live or work in a big city like Chicago, there's an amazing amount of damage that we (as humans who build really tall buildings in the middle of a migratory pathway) do to birds that fly through the area. There are groups that are backed or connected to wildlife rescue facilities that will patrol around buildings in the early morning to collect dead and injured birds. They will teach you the best ways to pick up struggling birds and to protect yourself (by wearing gloves mostly). Many of the birds that live are just stunned and need a quiet place to rest (don't give them food or water) and will be able to continue on their way in a day or two. Some need longer to recover or won't recover, but they can be euthanized humanely and not just by exposure.

And there is always a need for help by volunteers for wildlife rescue centers.