Native Animal Rescue of Santa Cruz County

I found a baby bird, what do I do?

• If you find a non-feathered young bird out of its nest, keep the baby safe and warm and call Native Animal Rescue (NAR) for instructions.
• If you need to bring a baby bird to NAR, place a warmed cloth in the bottom of a paper bag or box in which you have made holes for air. If you don't have these things, have a friend keep the bird warm in their hands while bringing it to NAR. Keeping baby birds warm is of vital importance in order to insure survival.
• If you see a feathered non-flying young bird on the ground, observe it from a distance. You may find a wary parent nearby. Many species of birds give their babies "ground training" before they can fly. If a bird parent is seen within an hour, and there are no cats around, leave the young bird alone. Otherwise, call NAR for further instructions.
• If you find a baby bird and it is uninjured and seems healthy, try to put it back in it's nest. . The parents will not reject their baby just because you've touched it.
• Finding a baby hummingbird on the ground is always an emergency. They die quickly from cold, heat or starvation. Don't attempt to feed them! Be incredibly gentle. Pick up any debris, nesting material or other substance it's sitting on. Their delicate toes automatically lock when perched and are sometimes accidentally torn off when they're picked up. If it's well-feathered, put it on a branch and observe for a parent above. If it's not well-feathered, put it in a bag or box as described above and call NAR immediately.

I found a mammal, what do I do?

• Only rescue baby mammals when you are sure the mother is not coming back or you know it's injured or in danger. Mothers of many species such as deer, rabbits, squirrels and woodrats leave their babies for several hours to forage before returning to nurse them. If you're sure the baby needs rescuing, provide warmth and take it immediately to NAR. If you are not certain the baby needs rescuing call NAR for advice.
• Many mammals nest under houses or in attics. If you hear squeaking or other noises coming from these areas, check for babies. Then call NAR to assist you in handling the situation.
• Never feed baby birds or baby mammals. That is the job of the experienced wildlife rehabilitators at NAR. Each bird and mammal have dietary needs unique to their species.
• Native Animal Rescue is licensed to rehabilitate orphaned and injured wildlife until they can be released back into the wild. For information on baby birds and baby mammals, call NAR's 24 hour hotline at 462-0726.

Raccoons keep getting into the garbage, what do I do?

• DO NOT FEED RACCOONS: Deliberate feeding of raccoons makes them more comfortable around humans and more likely to get into situations where they are unwanted or in danger. IF THERE IS NO FOOD AND SHELER TO SUPPORT THEM, MOST WILD ANIMALS WILL GO AWAY AND THRIVE OFF THE NATURAL HABITAT!
• FASTEN GARBAGE CAN LIDS.
• KEEP SHEDS AND GARAGE DOORS CLOSED.
• CUT BACK TREE LIMBS approximately 3' from roof lines.
• HARVEST ALL RIPE FRUIT from trees, shrubs and off the ground.
• REMOVE BRUSH PILES AND TRASH ACCUMULATION
• PICK UP FAMILY PET FOOD AND WATER DISHES
• SPRINKLE YOUR LAWN OR PLANTERS WITH CAYENNE PEPPER
• PLACE AMONIA SOAKED RAGS AROUND THE YARD AND UNDER THE HOUSE.
• PLAY A RADIO
• CLOSE OFF OPENINGS WHERE ROOF LINES OVERLAP
• REPLACE AND REINFORCE DAMAGED SCREEN VENTS
• KEEP CRAWL SPACES TIGHTLY COVERED
• KEEP A SPARK ARRESTER ON THE CHIMNEY

Opossums are nesting under our house, how do I get rid of them?

Ways to humanely get an Opossum who has already moved in to leave, are as follows:

• Place lights or a radio during the day where and when the animal is sleeping.
• Puncture several coffee cans and place ammonia soaked rags in them. Distribute the cans in several spots. DO NOT USE AROUND BABY ANIMALS.
• If gutters are being climbed, cover them with vegetable shortening up to an 18" height. or, cover the vertical surface with an 18" high length of sheet metal.

You have a mother skunk and her babies living under your house or deck. What should you do to get them to move out?

Skunks are normally very predictable and easily manipulated. Hereʼs how to convince them to leave:

• Place a light source such as a lamp, drop light or flashlight where you suspect the skunks are staying, so their home is well lit at night. Skunks are nocturnal and donʼt like light. At the same time, play a radio as loud as is comfortable for you and place several ammonia soaked rags in the general vicinity of the suspected den. Basically, what you are doing is making the skunks den unappealing to the skunk and they will readily move to more a more friendly home.
• If convincing your family of skunks seem too drastic a move, let the family stay until the babies are old enough to take off on their own. They won't stay forever and will be out and about by the end of summer.
• Once you are sure the skunks have moved out, cover up their entry and exit. Remember, skunks dig for food, so make sure that when you block their entry, the barrier continues approximately 6 inches below the soil.
• Do not trap and relocate skunks. Even though this might seem like an easy solution to your skunk "problem", it is illegal and not a permanent deterrent to others moving in.
  

I found a deer/fawn, what do I do?

• Put on rubber gloves and get a towel.
• Rub the towel in the grass then wipe the fawnʼs body with that towel to remove human scent.
• Leaving the gloves on, return the fawn to the place where found. Now the fawn is once again scent-free and waiting for mom to return.

How do I reduce the possibility of hitting a deer with my vehicle?

• Heed wildlife warning signs and adhere to the speed limit.
• Where forest or fields are on both sides of the road, scan for wildlife at all times. Be particularly attentive during dawn, dusk, and nighttime hours.
• At night, always watch for reflection from the eyes of deer and other nocturnal animals.
• If a deer "freezes" in your head lights, stop if safe and turn your headlights off and on so the animal can pass.
• When you see brake lights, it could mean the driver ahead of you has spotted deer. Stay alert!
• If one animal crossed the road ahead of you, stop and watch; there will probably be others.
• Deer hooves slip on pavement. A deer may fall in front of your vehicle just when you think it's jumping away.
• If you accidently hit and kill a deer, move it far off the road. Often a doe will be killed and her fawn is still there in harms way. The living fawn/s will stay by their dead mom and/or dead sibling for hours.
• If an adult deer is hit by a vehicle and wounded, immediately call Animal Services or the non-emergency number of the local police for assistance. Please do not let the deer suffer.
• Do not touch an injured deer as their sharp hooves will do major damage to you.

How do I deter deer from my garden?

• Fruit trees are a natural attractant. Fruit should be harvested and fallen fruit removed.
• Grass and underbrush should be kept trimmed.
• Attractants can be surrounded by repellant plants such as: catnip, chives, garlic, lavender, onion, sage, spearmint and thyme.
• Visual stimuli like strobe lights, mylar tape, scarecrows, bright lights, motion activated water sprays, loud noises and radios will help keep the deer away.
• Deer fencing at least 8 feet high or simply fencing individual plants.
• If you see an adult deer with a broken leg or other injury, leave the animal alone unless it can't stand up. Even though the injury may take a long time to heal, this is far preferable to the trauma of chase and capture. Wild animalʼs ability to heal and their adaptability of some injuries are quite amazing.

I found a squirrel/squirrel nest in the trees, what do I do?

• A mother squirrel who is frightened off her nest by tree trimmers, leaves her young very vulnerable to the elements and to other predatory animals.
• If you must trim trees, please check all limbs for squirrel nests before hand. If you accidentally knock a nest out of a tree, retrieve the babies and their nest and place the nest with the babies in a nearby tree limb safe from predators and out of direct sunlight.
• If the nest is broken, make a replacement nest of the same shape. You can use a common household container, such as a margarine tub, strawberry basket. A word of caution: do not use cleaning product containers, they are highly toxic to young animals. Poke holes in the bottom for drainage and line the container with natural materials like those of the original nest. Place this as close to where the original nest was located.

I found a squirrel baby / nest, what do I do?

• Never attempt to handle an adult squirrel as they are excitable creatures and handling causes intense stress. A stressed squirrel may bite or scratch.
• Be sure to seal up any openings that lead to your attic or underneath your house.
• Trim branches at least 10Ft away from your house . Squirrels use branches as their “freeway” system of travel and can jump from branches to your roof.
• Make sure your chimney opening on your roof is covered by wire mesh to prevent squirrels from entering your house through the chimney. If a squirrel falls into your chimney, secure a heavy rope from the top of the chimney and drop it down to the fireplace. This provides a perfect escape route during daylight hours.
• Place several ammonia-soaked rags in cans that are punctured with several holes in places such as attics or underneath houses and decks. Do not use this method if baby animals are present.
• If you do find a squirrel has already found its way into your attic and you KNOW there are babies, please wait until they are old enough to leave before evicting the family.

• Removing as many food sources as possible. This means feeding birds in squirrel proof feeders or not at all.
• Fallen acorns and other nuts can be raked up and removed from small yards.
• Protect flower bulbs and prevent digging in gardens by placing one inch mesh chicken wire over the bed before bulbs sprout in spring.
• Remember that live-trapping and relocating is not a final solution and it is illegal.

How do I reduce my chances of encountering a mountain lion near my home?

• Don't Feed Wildlife: It is illegal in California to do so and byfeeding deer, raccoons  and other wild animals, it will attract mountain lions, which prey upon them.
• Trim brush to reduce hiding places for mountain lions: Make it difficult for mountain lions to approach your yard unseen.
• Install lighting: Motion sensitive lighting around the house orsimple outdoor lighting around the perimeter of your house and walkways, keeping it well lit at night.
• Keep pets secure when mountain lions are most active-dawn,dusk, and night: Roaming pets are easy prey for mountain lions.
• Provide secure shelter for livestock: Sheep, goats, and other vulnerable animals.
• Bring pet food inside: This will avoid attracting other wild animals, a mountain lion's potential prey.
• Don't leave small children or pets outside unattended between dusk and dawn.
• Deer proof your landscaping.

What should you do if you meet a mountain lion?

• First, do not hike, bike or jog alone: Go in groups with adults supervising children. Avoid these activities when mountain lions are most active, at dawn, dusk and night. Make noise when you hike, bike or jog to reduce the chances of surprising a mountain lion.
• Always keep a close watch on small children: A child's small sizemay draw a mountain lions attention. Keep children within your sight at all times.
• Never approach a mountain lion.: Most mountain lions prefer to avoid confrontations, so never approach them and make them feel cornered.
• Never run from a mountain lion: Stand and face the animal. Raise your arms and open your jacket, if wearing one, to appear larger. Pick up small children if present without crouching or bending.  Never bend over or turn away from a mountain lion.Wave your arms slowly and speak firmly in a loud voice. Convince the lion that you may be danger to it. Your objective is to make yourself look as LARGE and THREATENING as possible.
• Fight back if a lion attacks you: A strong walking stick can be useful in warding off a lion. If you have a rock or stick, throw it at the lion and back away very slowly. Lions have been driven away by prey that fight back.
• Mountain lions are classified as "specially protected species," making mountain lion hunting illegal in California.