There's No Such Thing As a Helpless Baby Squirrel

This morning's edition of the Star-Tribune had some tips on handling (or, rather, not handling) baby vermin you might find on your property:

You're doing some early spring raking in the yard when you come upon a tiny rabbit no bigger than the palm of your hand, very still and seemingly all alone.

While you might be tempted to find a box and make a new home for your furry friend, local experts say that when dealing with abandoned or injured back-yard wildlife, it is important to proceed with caution.

"Most of the time when you see a solitary baby animal like a rabbit, it's really not orphaned at all," said Philip Jenni, executive director for the Wildlife Rehabilitation Center of Minnesota in Roseville. "The mother is usually nearby. Parent animals will stay away from a nest just to keep predators from approaching." ...

... Little two-legged back yard explorers should also be cautioned against picking up baby birds, bunnies or squirrels. "This time of the year is a good opportunity for parents to teach their children to have a healthy respect for wild animals," Jenni said. "It's great for kids to explore, but when they come upon a baby animal, it's really best for them and for the animal if they leave it alone."

I got to thinking: what would I do if I ran across a nest of baby demon squirrels? Well, let's just say that even though our home is right next to the Wildlife Rehabilitation Center, I don't think I would be paying them a visit - if you catch my drift.



Squirrel Threat Level Update: Reduced to Elevated, but please continue to exercise caution.