Animal Rescue--Summertime means baby birds and mammals...

Animal Rescue--Summertime means baby birds and mammals emerging from nests and dens to explore their environments. One of the biggest dangers these youngsters face is being saved when they don’t need saving.

Many adult birds will urge fledglings out onto a limb or the ground before these baby birds can fly great distances. To most people, this tiny creature appears to have fallen from its perch and is helpless. The opposite is usually true. Parent birds will leave their young alone while gleaning for food. The baby bird has been left in a particular area deemed safe by its parents.

The same is true of many mammals. The mother deer will leave a fawn lying in a soft bed of pine needles or grass while she grazes. The fawn is completely safe but an onlooker may think this animal has been abandoned or is lost. To move the fawn would be wrong but without knowing what to look for, anyone might be motivated to rescue the fawn or fledgling.

The following tips will help determine if an animal needs rescuing:

* Signs of visible injury.

* Baby has been in mouth of a cat or dog.

* Body is cold to the touch.

Baby birds will not be damaged if picked up to moved to a higher tree limb, the nest or a nearby fence. Contrary to popular belief, parent birds will not reject fledglings touched by humans.

Fledglings should be observed for two hours before removing. During this time, check for parents returning to feed the baby bird.

Watch baby mammals for four hours to check for self-feeding or return of parents.

If animal is orphaned or injured, call one of the following wildlife rescue groups before taking action:

Pacific Wildlife Project: (714) 831-1178

All Creatures Care Cottage: (714) 642-7151

494-3050