Category: Conservation

Cuddly Predators: The Dangers that Cats Inflict on Wildlife

Virginia opossum with a injured right eye and wound across nose in an enclosure standing on several towels.

The Dangers of Cat Bites

As cuddly, friendly, and cute as they can be, at the end of the day, cats are predators and pose a risk to our local wildlife species, especially birds and rabbits. Cats are a significant danger to wildlife for many reasons, some of which include predation, disruption of the ecosystem, and disease transmission. Severely reducing or eliminating these risks that cats introduce can be attainable and we should do our best to try.

Predation

Young Blue Jay with another bird in a soft sided kennel with a small cave to hide in, perch on and artificial plants next to it.

A cat can catch various wildlife species and inflict damage by tearing the skin, introducing bacteria to the wound, and shaking the animal causing internal damage, among other things. Many animals that come into the Wildlife Medical Clinic that have been victims of outdoor cats, unfortunately, do not make it due to the extent of their injuries or through infection. Cats are hunters at heart and are responsible for the deaths of billions of mainly birds and bunnies. These deaths can have an impact on local populations particularly those endangered or at risk; subsequently, affecting certain species populations could have a domino effect on other species in the ecosystem.

Environmental Contamination

One common infectious agent is Toxoplasmosis which is a disease contracted from the parasite Toxoplasmosis gondii. Cats are known hosts to this parasite and while the cat may not show any symptoms they can transfer this parasite to wildlife species and even humans through their feces. The parasites’ oocytes laid in feces are resilient in adverse environments and become infectious. Water, soil, and food can become contaminated thus continuing the spread. Toxoplasmosis can have significant effects on certain wildlife species and some have shown cases of mortality to the parasite, for instance, sea otters.

Spread of Disease

White footed mouse peeking out from a thick layer of recycled paper bedding and hay.

Additionally, cats can be disease reservoirs harboring a pathogen and transmitting the pathogen from host to host thus playing a crucial role in the infectiousness. Pasteurella multocida is a bacteria commonly found in the mouths of cats that is normal and not harmful to them but dangerous if infected to other animals like cottontail rabbits. Prey animals like bunnies, typically are not that resilient to infections so Pasteurella multocida from a cat bite is often deadly.

Clinical signs of Pasteurella multocida include respiratory distress, hemorrhage, septicemia, death, etc. Wildlife animals are already subject to various predators and risks to their lives without adding domestic cats to the mix.

Prevention for our Wildlife

The only foolproof prevention from the consequences of cat bites in our wildlife species is to protect them from predators like our furry friends. Keeping cats indoors protects not only wildlife from infections, injury, and death but the opposite is also true. Cats are also susceptible to harm from wildlife species such as rabies, which is fatal. Rabies vaccination is a great start for prevention but avoiding exposure to the virus is optimal. Veterinary Medicine goes beyond treating sick animals and aims toward prevention in order to keep animals, humans, and our environment alike all healthy. We love our cats and want the absolute best for them, and the best for them is keeping them safely inside which is coincidentally the best for our local wildlife populations. However, if a domestic cat is so inclined to be outdoors then it would be best if they are monitored and potentially kept on a leash to assure the safety of our outdoor friends as well as those we keep indoors.

References

Liao, Kristine. “Outdoor Cats Are Deadly-and Not Just for Birds and Squirrels.” Popular Science,31 May 2022.

Mostl, Karin. “Guideline for Pasteurella Multocida Infection.” ABCD Cats & Vets, 9 July 2024.

University, Texas A&M. “How Free-Roaming Cats Impact Wildlife, Disease Transmission.

University, Texas A&M. How free-roaming cats impact wildlife, disease transmission. Phys.Org, Phys.org, 20 Oct. 2023.

Written By: Kristen C., Class of 2027

The Eternal Summer

Cows out in a pasture at sunset.

Climate Change

Can you feel it? The temperatures rising, wanting so much to fall into the cozy autumn chill, but
staying stuck in the lazy days of summer, unexpectedly waxing and waning here and there,
followed by disastrous hurricanes, detrimental tornadoes, and deadly heat waves. Climate change is upon us, urgently calling for our attention and action. Its effects are nearing the point of no return, not only wreaking havoc on our homes and lives, but also on those of our ecosystem and wildlife populations.

The Effects of Climate Change on Wildlife


With the effects of climate change worsening, we can see its direct manifestations of dangerous weather effects all over the world. Inevitably, this has caused severe damage to the habitats in which our wildlife animals live, destroying their homes and depleting their food sources. This habitat destruction, in addition to the increasing temperatures, have caused a change in species migration patterns, leading to invasiveness, overcrowding, and unexpected competition between different wildlife populations, thus depleting more food resources and causing a domino effect. This further increases the risk of extinction and endangerment of wildlife species.

Potential Adaptation

Ornate Box Turtle in a researchers gloved hand out in a prairie.


While these changes in species migration patterns can cause detrimental effects to the local wildlife, it is a way that animals have shown that they are adapting to the changing environment of the world. How about those animals who stay put despite these changes? Throughout evolutionary history, animals have shown that they have the capacity to “locally adapt” to their environments depending on the resources available, the temperature, and etc. With this “adaptive capacity,” wildlife populations may just be able to persist through these changing times, with additional help from us.

How Can You Help?

Hilly, wooded area out in nature.
  • Leave wildlife habitats and ecosystems as undisturbed as possible. Animals thrive in their natural habitat without any disruptions from humans. Unless an animal is harmed or hurt, it is best to leave them be.
  • Participate in local conservation efforts. Volunteer with local organizations to help with efforts such as habitat restoration, reforestation, community clean-up, and more to further help maintain the habitats of wildlife animals.
  • Reduce, reuse, recycle. Do your part. It may seem like those small things, such as choosing to use paper instead of plastic at the grocery store or throwing your water bottle into the recycling instead of the trash, won’t have a huge impact on reversing the effects of climate change. However, if we all do our part, we can get one step closer to bettering our planet and protecting our beloved wildlife population.

Written by: Akasha G., Class of 2027

Wildlife and Fireworks

Fireworks in the night sky.

It is often discussed how fireworks impact people and even their pets, but did you know that fireworks can also have negative impacts on our native wildlife populations. Every year wildlife hospitals and rehabilitation centers around the country, including the Wildlife Medical Clinic (WMC), see an increase in the number of orphaned and injured wildlife in the weeks surrounding 4th of July.

How do Fireworks Harm Wildlife?

Litter of Eastern Cottontail Rabbits and an artificial nest.

Just like you and me, wildlife are scared by loud noises. The loud thunderous sound of fireworks can frighten wildlife causing them to panic. Birds might fly into windows. Small mammals like rabbits and squirrels may flee in fear, injuring themselves in the process. There is also a greater risk of animals abandoning their babies. Because of the loud and often disorientating noises animals fleeing in a panic may not think it is safe to go back for their babies afterwards. This leaves them in the care of wildlife rehabilitators if they are found by good Samaritans. While wildlife rehabilitators have the tools and knowledge to raise these animals, they can never fully replicate the care that the parents provide to their offspring. Raising orphaned wildlife often poses many challenges, so it is much better if these animals are able to stay in the wild with their parents.

You also must consider the waste produced from fireworks. Like small children and puppies, wild animals tend to pick up things with their mouths and eat them without knowing that they may be harmful. Paper, cardboard, strings, and plastic are all waste products from fireworks, and they all pose a risk to animals if eaten. Not to mention the trash is coated in the chemicals that allow fireworks to light and give them their unique colors, many of which are toxic to wildlife. Unfortunately, ingesting trash from firework shows may lead to death for some animals. If you have ever had a pet eat something they shouldn’t and had to rush them to the vet, you will understand just how critical these cases can become and unfortunately, we are often too late for wildlife who have ingested foreign materials and are having complications. String like materials are also detrimental to birds as it can easily become tangled in their wings, leaving them unable to fly, unable to get food, and defenseless against predators.

And last but not least, fireworks have the potential to start wildfires. Wildfires can be a huge ecological disaster on top of the devastation they can cause to humans. Anytime fire is being used there is a risk for it to get out of control and fireworks are no exception this.

How Can You Help?

The absolute best thing to do would be to completely stop using fireworks. Things like drone light shows are a much safer alternative to actual fireworks. In some situations, they can look just as good if not better than fireworks. Not to mention, they are also a lot quieter and don’t come with the all of the litter or the potential to start wildfires.  However, they do require professionals with equipment to set up, which is not feasible for someone to do in their backyard.

If you’re not able to cut out fireworks completely there are other options to try. One would be to consider going to your local community fireworks show instead of setting them off at your home. Many towns, parks, and other organizations put on firework shows for the public to watch each year. Not only is it a lot safer for the people involved, but it also reduces the total number of fireworks being set off, lessening the impact to local wildlife.  

If you are going to be putting on a show at home, there are also a few things to consider. One, setting off smaller fireworks that aren’t as loud can help prevent scaring wildlife. Two, making sure that you are picking up any trash left behind from the fireworks can prevent wildlife from becoming tangled or ingesting the firework debris. Three, you can make sure you are not setting fireworks off in a dry field or next to dry brush that may catch fire. Being mindful of the risk that a fire can pose is often the first step and helps to prevent it. And finally, you can consider donating to a local wildlife center. Taking care of orphaned or injured wildlife can be costly and most rehab centers rely on donations to keep running.

              So, before you celebrate this upcoming Independence Day, remember to keep our wildlife friends in mind and do your best to have a safe and animal friendly celebration!

Written by Grace L, Class of 2027

Barred Owl Case

Barred Owl Wildlife patient perched in a hospital enclosure. Brown paper looking item under the perch is a tail guard to protect the birds tail while in our care.

Barred Owl, Strix varia

The barred owl, Strix varia, are found throughout North America, but most commonly in the East. They are commonly found in a variety of habitats such as upland woods, conifers, bottomland forests and swamps. A few features that stand out are their yellow beaks, large brown eyes, and rounded heads.

Arrival to the Wildlife Medical Clinic

At the end of August 2024, juvenile Barred Owl 24-1882 was brought in by a good Samaritan to the University of Illinois’ Wildlife Medical Clinic (WMC) with an injury of unknown origin. Upon examination by the veterinary student volunteers and veterinarians in the WMC, an open right distal carpometacarpal fracture was palpated, notable trauma was seen in both eyes, and damaged rectrices or tail feathers were present. It was determined sedated radiographs were needed to confirm the carpometacarpal luxation, so those were performed. Open fracture care was administered and a splint was placed.

Once the diagnosis was determined, the team began with a treatment plan. That plan involved administering antibiotics and pain medication to help with any pain due to the fracture and injured eyes. Later that day, the patient was placed under general anesthesia for an arthrodesis procedure to promote the healing of the luxation. Wound care was administered and a figure eight wrap splint was placed to keep the wing immobile and hopefully prevent further damage. The patient was continually monitored post procedure and for the days following the procedure. Pain medication and antibiotics were continued and a splint change was done under sedation a week after the surgery. The patient had a great appetite and continued to heal.

Continued Care

Barred Owl wildlife patient with it's right wing wrapped.

The continued care for this patient was the administration of PROM. PROM stands for Passive Range Of Motion; it is performed under general anesthesia and the ROM for the joint is measured in degrees. The right elbow and the metacarpal joints are extended for two minutes, two times to ensure full range of motion of the wing. This procedure helps ensure that lack of movement brought on by the splint does not cause further damage to the joints. PROM was administered a couple times weekly for several weeks following the initial procedure. During that time, the wound was continually assessed and monitored for any changes. The patient continued to improve and was able to discontinue pain meds. Additional radiographs were taken to confirm PROM and splinting was no longer necessary. Once this was confirmed, the patient was ready to be moved to a flight cage.

Remaining Hopeful

Before heading to the flight cage an exam was completed by a veterinarian and range of motion was found to be almost normal, despite noting feather damage including broken right alular feathers and rectrices (tail feathers). The patient was placed in a flight cage for continued healing and an imping procedure was performed to ensure it can be released back into the wild. The imping procedure is basically just replacing broken or missing feathers with donor feathers and reinforcing the feather shaft to ensure the feathers remain in place until the next molt.

Conclusion

Once the imping procedure was completed, the barred owl was monitored closely to ensure the new feathers stayed in place and that it was able to maneuver it’s enclosure. Unfortunately, we do not have large flight cages, so we worked with another licensed rehabilitator that does have large flight enclosures and transported the owl to them. This allowed the rehabilitators to monitor it’s flight better before released and also help to keep the animal fit and conditioned for release.

Written By: Katie M., Class of 2027

How Bird Feeders Contribute to the Spread of Disease

House sparrow perching on a powerline.

From avid bird watchers to casual onlookers, bird feeders are a staple in many yards across Illinois and throughout the country. While these well-meaning people may simply be offering their wild, feathered friends an easy meal, these feeders can spread illness like a preschool classroom full of kids in the thick of cold and flu season. Yuck!

Mycoplasmal Conjuctivitis in Wild Birds

House sparrow perched in the middle of a tree with it's eyes closed.

Mycoplasmal conjunctivitis is an ocular disease seen mostly in finch species but has also been reported in other songbird species such as but not limited to sparrows, grosbeaks, and blue jays. While this disease is thought to have originated as a respiratory illness in domestic bird species (e.g., chickens and turkeys), in wild birds it manifests in a comparable way to what we may think of as “pink eye” in humans. This includes red, swollen eyelids and conjunctiva, along with watery ocular and/or nasal discharge. Oftentimes, this can impact a bird’s ability to visualize and find food, leaving them prone to starvation and predation.

The most common route of transmission of mycoplasmal conjunctivitis is thought to occur at bird feeders, where many birds come into close contact with one another. This is especially exacerbated in late fall and winter, when food is scarcer and it becomes more convenient for birds to visit bird feeders rather than forage for food. When hundreds of birds are gathering at one small bird feeder in a single day, it is easy for disease causing pathogens to jump from bird to bird and cause illness in a sizable portion of the population.

Ways to keep birds safe at your feeder

Bird perched on a backyard feeder

So, what can you do to stop the spread of mycoplasmal conjunctivitis and other diseases in your backyard? The simplest answer is to stop promoting large gatherings of birds within a small space by tossing that bird feeder in the trash. However, if you prefer to keep a bird feeder in your yard, there are some things to keep in mind to ensure local wild bird populations remain healthy and continue to thrive. Those items are as follows:

  • Regularly clean your bird feeder with 10% bleach to kill any pathogens.
  • Avoid tube feeders, as they are hard to clean and possess too many surfaces for birds to touch and spread disease through.
  • Use a platform feeder with ample space to allow birds to feed and to prevent overcrowding.
  • Avoid using moldy feed and continue to clean up the ground below the feeder.
  • Only put out the amount of food birds can consume within a few days, and throw out leftovers when cleaning and refilling the feeder.

If you find a bird that is infected with mycoplasmal conjunctivitis, contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator right away. Sanitize and put away any bird feeders for at least two weeks to help stop the spread of this disease.

Sources:

Written by Allison, Class of 2027

Why Did the Turtle Cross the Road?

A baby snapping turtle is being held in a gloved hand outside with its plastron facing the camera

A Perilous Journey

Every year thousands of turtles cross our roads for various reasons. As the weather warms up, many turtles search for new territories, breeding grounds, or food.

Year after year in late spring, female turtles begin their voyage to find a nesting site on land. Aquatic species haul themselves out of their beloved body of water and may end up crossing the road to find a suitable place to lay their eggs. We know this is one of the biggest causes for road-crossings, as roadkill disproportionately effects female turtles of a mature age. Many times, females choose to nest in an area that may be difficult for the babies to traverse when they hatch. These babies know exactly where they need to go but may get hit by a car or predated upon on the way. In other cases, turtles may go to roads to bask when feeling unwell. Because they cannot thermoregulate internally, they try to create a behavioral fever by laying under the sun. Unfortunately, hot asphalt is a great way to do that. 

Do turtles have superpowers?

In my personal opinion, yes! They are excellent navigators with the ability to create mental maps and rely on an internal compass. They become very familiar with their home range, which can include a yearly nesting site, overwintering grounds, and the wetlands they utilize during the active season. In fact, sea turtles have been known to swim hundreds of miles annually to get to their destination nesting site!

What can you do to help?

A baby snapping turtle is being handled gently in a gloved hand

If you ever see a turtle on the road, it is very important to help the turtle get to the other side in the direction that it was going. If you decide to pull over, please prioritize your own safety! Not only do turtles have exceptional navigational skills, but they are also very stubborn! Redirecting or relocating a turtle can be very dangerous for them. They may take a longer and potentially more treacherous path to the place they originally wanted to go. Additionally, turtles learn to live and love their home, making it very difficult to learn how to navigate, forage, and socialize in a new environment.

When encountering turtles that may be dangerous to handle, like Common Snapping Turtles, there are still some steps you can take to help! Many wild turtles will be frightened at human interaction and may try to bite. If you are uncomfortable handling any turtle, you can use a car mat or shovel to put under the turtle and slide it. Please never pick up a turtle by their tail, as this can result in severe spinal damage!

What if I find a turtle that’s been hurt?

Turtles are insanely hardy and can survive some pretty horrific injuries. If you come across an injured turtle or one that has been hit by a car, we always recommend bringing it into your nearest wildlife rescue, such as the WMC! If you are unable to bring it in, please contact your local fish and wildlife department to ask for guidance. Never attempt to treat the animal on your own, as this could put you or the turtle in danger and may be in violation of state laws. 

Case example!

A baby snapping turtle is holding onto a rock outside after release

In mid-September, I was presented with a hatchling common snapping turtle on triage. Generally, snapping turtles lay eggs during May and June, with the hatchlings emerging around September. Therefore, this little one was on perfect schedule! The hatchling had been picked up by a Good Samaritan that had found it trying to cross the road. They were most likely trying to get to the nearest body of water. 

On exam, it was a perfectly healthy baby weighing in at 10 grams! Its age was determined not only by size, but by how squishy the hatchling’s shell was. It also had a visible umbilical scar, as seen in the featured image! In the early stages of life, it is normal for a turtle’s shell to be soft and pliable. This allows for “give” as the turtle expands and grows. Sadly, this is also a major reason for predation in newly hatched turtles. The umbilical scar, or yolk sac, can be thought of as a belly button. It is where the turtle embryo was attached to the shell when it was in the egg. Within about ten days, the yolk sac is fully absorbed and there will no longer be evidence of a scar. 

Time for Release!

In this case, we did not know where the turtle had been found and picked up, so we were very hesitant to release it. We knew that it may be hit by a car or predated upon trying to find its way back to its original destination. It was going to take some deep detective work to find out where the little one had come from.

In the meantime, we set up the hatchling with a proper enclosure in the clinic. This included a tank filled with water, a heat lamp, rocks for a basking area, a UV lamp, and fake plants and logs for hiding spots to decrease stress. We also began experimenting with different food items to see what the turtle would enjoy eating. Some of the options included cut up brine shrimp, turtle pellets, bloodworms, mealworms, and pinky mice. We learned that the patient really took a liking to the brine shrimp!

With a lot of luck and determined investigation, we were able to find out where the patient had been found. It just so happened to be a couple of blocks from a large body of water! A few days after the turtle presented to the clinic, I was able to release it. I hope that it will grow for years to come and be a beneficial contributor to our ecosystem!

Written by: Erika, Class of 2027

Welcome, Basil!

A side-shot of Basil the toad as he sits on a clump of moss

The Wildlife Medical Clinic’s Ambassador Program is absolutely thrilled to introduce our newest member – Basil the American toad!

Basil was found injured in Meadowbrook Park in Urbana, IL in late October 2024. They were then brought to the Wildlife Medical Clinic by a community member for treatment. On our initial exam, it was suspected that there was an open fracture of their right hind limb. An additional fracture of one of their toes was found on that same leg. The treatment team administered pain medications, started a course of antibiotics, and arranged for them to be quickly and fully assessed by one of the WMC veterinarians.

A close-up of Basil the toad

The next day, these injuries were confirmed by taking radiographs. Since surgical repair was likely to be unsuccessful, amputation of the hindlimb was determined to be the best course of action. However, the WMC would not be able to release them into the wild with only three legs. This is because they would be at a disadvantage for getting around their environment, hunting, and escaping from predators. Conversations quickly turned to our ambassador program, and whether we would be willing to take on another resident. We eagerly agreed, and the veterinary team proceeded with the leg amputation on Halloween – October 31, 2024. The toad was kept in the WMC for a healing and recovery period of about six weeks.

Becoming an ambassatoad

Basil the toad in his enclosure as he sits outside of a little hut

Once we moved our newest education animal into the Ambassador building, we asked the WMC clinic and ambassador volunteers to submit name ideas. We received dozens of suggestions and narrowed it down to a handful for the clinic to vote on. The winner was Basil, with the British pronunciation, so it rhymes with “dazzle.”

Basil has adjusted well to living in the ambassador building. They enjoy burying themselves in the substrate, hunting for crickets and Dubia roaches, and getting daily soaks. In our care, having only three legs does not appear to be having any negative effects. We do not know if Basil is a male or female, but suspect we will find out soon. Toads start displaying sex-specific behaviors during breeding season in spring and early summer. If Basil is a male, we would expect their throat to darken. We would also hear them start singing to attract a mate, which would sound like a prolonged, high-pitched trill.

Croaking forward

A head-on shot of Basil the toad sitting on a clump of moss

As far as we can tell, this toad is our first amphibian ambassador in the WMC. We are excited that our ambassador team volunteers have the opportunity to learn the unique aspects of amphibian care. For instance, it is important to use gloves covered in dechlorinated water when handling. We are especially excited to bring Basil to our educational programs to teach the community about American toads. They have an important role in the ecosystem and we would love to teach you what to do if you come across an injured amphibian in nature!

Written by: Sarah, Class of 2026

When should an animal come to the Wildlife Medical Clinic?

A baby squirrel is being hand fed through a syringe while it is supported on a mesh ramp

Sometimes it can be difficult to know when an animal should be taken to the Wildlife Medical Clinic. In cases where there are signs of an overt injury with blood present, unwillingness to move when approached, exposed bone, and maggots, we highly recommend safely transporting the animal to us! However, not all cases are as clear as that. Below I have outlined some very common questions the Wildlife Medical Clinic receives and what we think is the best course of action.

“Help! There is a bird in my yard on the ground and it hasn’t moved. It also seems to be wobbly when it walks. Should I bring it in?”

This is a super common question that we receive phone calls about a lot during the summer months. In these situations, it is very important to consider how old the bird in question may be. If the bird is an adult and fully feathered, it is uncommon to find them in that state. There is also a concern if the bird has no feathers and is looking dull and unresponsive. In these situations, it would be appropriate to give the WMC a call prior to capturing them. However, if the bird is smaller and lacking full plumage, then this may be a fledgling bird that is learning how to fly. Most songbirds will spend 3-5 days on the ground during this time. It is common to find fledgling birds near the bases of trees below their nest while they are learning to navigate the world.

“I found a tiny bunny on the sidewalk, what should I do?”

A baby bunny is being held in gloved hands by a volunteer

It can be quite alarming to find an abandoned baby bunny! If you come across an abandoned wild young cottontail, it is important to first assess them for any injuries. If the bunny otherwise appears healthy, the next course of action should be to locate the nest. Bunny nests can be difficult to find as they are usually not in plain sight. They can commonly be found at the bases of bushes, hidden in taller grass, or under decks or sheds, in depressions found in the ground.

Eastern Cottontails are a common bunny species in the Champaign-Urbana area. They do not burrow in the ground. Instead their nests will be on the ground level, lined with the mother’s fur and then covered with soft grasses. If the nest is successfully located, we advise you to gently place the found bunny in the nest and cover it with grass and leaves. To ensure that the mother is visiting the nest, a pattern of ribbon can be placed on top of the nest and flour can be used to create a trail around the nest. These aspects will be disturbed if the mother is actively visiting the nest. If you are unable to find a nest for the bunny, we advise you to give the WMC a call for further steps! 

If you are concerned about your dogs finding the nest, you can cover it with an upside-down laundry basket, with a hole cut into the side large enough for the mother rabbit to access her nest. The laundry basket can have a heavy object, such as a brick, placed on top to prevent dogs from pushing it over. 

Another important consideration is that eastern cottontail rabbits leave the nest and are independent at only 4 weeks of age! At that time, they are only about the size of a tennis ball! If you find a healthy young cottontail about that size with upright ears, it’s best to let them be. Many people mistake these young rabbits as orphaned, but they have actually already left their mother!

“I found a nest of baby birds, but I don’t see the parents, should I bring the nest in?” 

It is very normal to not see the parents for a nest of baby birds! Birds, along with other wildlife species, are terrified of us and will likely not visit the nest with us nearby. It is best to watch the nest from far away, either from across the street, through a window, or from inside a car. If there are no signs of the parents after a few days, it would be appropriate to give the WMC a call. In situations where there has been a recent storm, bird nests can be knocked out of trees. After accessing inhabitants of the nest for any signs of injury, the nest can be placed securely into the nearest tree. 

“I found a baby squirrel in my backyard, what should I do?”

A baby squirrel is being hand fed through a syringe while it is covered in a towel to keep warm

Baby squirrels typically wind up on the ground if they have fallen from their nest. If there are not any obvious signs of injury, it is completely okay to pick them up and place them back into their nest. In the event that you are unable to locate the nest or perhaps it is too high up, you can place them into a wicker basket close to where they were found. This gives the mom an opportunity to collect her baby and take it back to the nest. Even if the nest has been destroyed, it is common for the mother to have a back-up nest to move her babies to. If you don’t see her after a few hours or it is getting dark, you should bring the squirrel to the Wildlife Medical Clinic.

So you’ve determined it needs to come to the clinic, now what?

If you are planning to safely transport an orphaned or injured animal to the Wildlife Medical Clinic, it is important to understand the do’s and don’ts. Please do not feed them anything! Almost all species of wildlife can survive up to 24 hours without any food or water. Unfortunately, any attempts with feeding will likely result in serious issues for the animal. Inappropriate food items can cause harm to the animal’s digestive system and inappropriate feeding methods can pose a risk for the inhalation of food material. 

The best thing that a finder can do is place the animal in a small box with air holes, keep them warm, provide them with a quiet, dark environment, and avoid handling the animal. Minimizing the amount of stress the animal is exposed to gives the animal the best chance of being able to make strides towards recovery. 

For more information, follow the link below: Dr. Stephany Lewis, the current director of the Wildlife Medical Clinic, discussed with The News Gazette on when to bring wildlife here!

Written by: Rachel, Class of 2027

Wildlife Medical Clinic
John A. Coyne South Clinic
2100 South Goodwin Avenue
Urbana, IL 61801
217-244-1195
College of Veterinary Medicine