WHAT SHOULD YOU DO IF YOU FIND A LONE BABY BUNNY?

Recently, there has been increased rabbit activity around the yard, particularly near the house. Given the season, my search for a hidden nest began. Despite my best effort to find the little fur balls, the mother rabbit proved too skilled at concealing her young.

This morning, while I was out admiring the newly emerging plants, the discovery of a significant amount of fur near the driveway led to an old bunny nest. Evidently, the occupants had recently departed, leaving behind only fur and a small indentation among the bee balm. Now, I know that wasn't there yesterday so my guess is those babies exited sometime in the last 24 hours. 

The nest near the driveway

The location of the nest, adjacent to the driveway, was quite surprising. Not the safest spot, but I'm glad there were no issues with that. Wildlife never ceases to shock, amuse, or amaze me. It's always something new and unexpected.

Years ago, I was doing some yard work when a tiny baby bunny popped out of its nest. He was all alone, which surprised me. No siblings were in sight so I gently put him back inside, covered the nest with leaves, and laid a string across it to see if mom would visit him on the overnight. Unfortunately, the temp dropped significantly that night, and the next morning the poor little guy was dead. 

The bunny that died from the cold

I've since learned if you find a very small baby bunny and it's going to be cold outside, it's best to take it to a wildlife rehab center for care. Baby bunnies can't regulate their body temp like older bunnies, so they need external warmth to survive. 

But before rushing a bunny to a rehabber, give them a quick call because size matters - tiny ones are super vulnerable but older babies still in the nest may be less at risk of the cold, so getting some advice is the best first step to finding out what you should do. 

Generally, it's best to leave bunnies be. Mom only visits twice daily to feed them, once in the morning and once at night. If your dog or kids are a worry, gently place a laundry basket or something similar over the top of the nest for protection and weight it down with a rock.

This image is taken from the Calamity Jane Wildlife Refuge Facebook page

In just 4-5 weeks, those little bunnies will be big and independent, ready to hop off on their own adventures so a little patience and protection can make a world of difference to these little guys. 

HEALING NATURE: OUR DUTY TO WILDLIFE

I want to share something that’s been on my mind lately, that started with a video I posted on Instagram last year. It was of an injured rabbit I'd picked up off the street and taken to the Wildlife Rehab Center (WRC). A commenter asked why I didn't just "end its suffering" myself. Honestly, it's a fair question, and it's one I've been asked in different forms before. Like, why not just let nature take its course and let injured animals become food for other wildlife? Well, after a recent turkey rescue, I felt it was time to share why I believe it's so important to help these creatures and why I personally don't think it's ethical to play executioner, even with good intentions.

Recently, I had the opportunity to participate in a turkey rescue with a seasoned member of Wildlife Rehabilitation & Release. The goal was to capture and assist this beautiful bird who was believed to have been struck by a car and found lying on a condo patio. Upon arrival, we discovered the turkey was alert but immobile, lying in her own blood and urine. Despite her condition, she mustered a little energy to wiggle and hiss as we approached. My mentor swiftly captured her, and I transported her to WRC. Sadly, I learned from the caring folks at WRC yesterday that the turkey didn't survive. She had a fractured spine and was ataxic (unable to stand). While not entirely unexpected given her state, I had held onto some hope, especially considering she had remained alert despite lying there for a full 24 hours before our arrival.

So the question is, why prolong her suffering with a trip to WRC instead of euthanizing on the spot? Or why not let nature take its course and allow a predator to claim her? The answer is simply the possibility of rehabilitation. While ending the turkey’s suffering on the spot might seem like the kindest option to some, it preempts the possibility of recovery offered by trained professionals. In addition to that, allowing the turkey to simply succumb to her injuries isn’t a truly “natural” outcome considering her condition was caused by a vehicle strike, an unnatural event, rather than a predator seeking food. Abandoning her didn’t guarantee a quick, merciful death by predator either, especially when she’d already endured 24 hours in that state. Leaving her to die wouldn’t necessarily result in her becoming food for a natural predator, she could ultimately have ended up sitting there for hours or even days. 

Here's the tragic truth about wildlife - The overwhelming number of wild animals admitted to rehabilitation centers bear the scars of human impact. Their injuries and illnesses are often a direct consequence of our activities. From the insidious effects of human-driven climate change, leading to habitat loss and altered ecosystems, to the more immediate dangers of vehicle collisions, hunting, and trapping, wildlife faces a constant barrage of threats. Even seemingly benign aspects of modern life, such as windows, power lines, and wind turbines, prove deadly to countless birds and bats. The unchecked presence of domestic cats and dogs, habitat destruction for development, industrial and agricultural activities releasing toxins, and the pervasive use of lead and pesticides all contribute to a toxic environment that weakens and injures wildlife. Adding to this burden is the increased susceptibility to infectious diseases, often exacerbated by stress and compromised habitats. The unfortunate truth is that the majority of suffering endured by these animals can be traced back to human actions, and even if it's not caused by humans, why shouldn't we still try to give them the best chance at survival when help is available?

Flippantly choosing to euthanize a sick or injured wild animal found in need isn't an act of compassion, it's cowardly avoidance of responsibility. True compassion demands we exhaust all possible options for care and rehabilitation, offering the animal a chance at recovery and a future. Opting for euthanasia as a first resort, especially when someone doesn't have the knowledge or skills to diagnose the animals condition, ignores the value of life and shirks the moral obligation to alleviate suffering through proactive intervention. 

Wild animals possess an inherent right to exist and thrive. Euthanasia should only be considered as a last resort by qualified professionals, when the animal's suffering is irreversible, ensuring a humane and painless end that minimizes fear and distress. 

For Wildlife in Rehab Centers, Humans are the Culprit

Wildlife rehabilitation records reveal impacts of anthropogenic activities on wildlife health

New Study Identifies the Greatest Threat to Wildlife Across North American & Canada: People