Spring brings rise in baby animal kidnappings

NEW HANOVER COUNTY (WWAY) — Springtime will be here Saturday, and with it, you might see a lot more baby animals.

If you do see one without its mother, don’t panic.

According to Dawn Tyre, owner of Dawn’s Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation, spring often brings accidental baby animal kidnappings. Well meaning people who see a wild baby animal alone picking the creature up, taking it elsewhere, and calling an animal rescue for help.

According to Tyre, if you see a baby rabbit that appears to be healthy and safe, leave it alone. Rabbits can explore their surroundings by themselves at a very young age.

If you find baby squirrels fallen from a tree, set them in a clean box and put them in a safe place by the base of the tree you found them under. Mothers often come back for their young.

“If you find a baby, don’t take it away right away,” Tyre explained. “We want the mom to come get the baby. It makes it easier on the rehabbers and its going to be a lot easier on the mom’s because the mom’s don’t want to lose their babies.”

This, however, does not apply to baby possums.

Mother possums can have around 13 babies hanging onto them at one time. If they get spooked by an animal and run, the chances of them returning for a baby whose fallen off is unlikely.

If you find a baby possum smaller than 9 inches head to butt, call a wildlife rescue center immediately.