Neighbor News
Take a few minutes and help save the lives of our wildlife babies
Less than two dozen home wildlife rehabilitators and the Wildlife Clinic of RI are now tending over 5000 RI animals and birds each year.
The vast majority of injuries we see as Wildlife Rehabilitators are a direct result of human activity. In most cases there is no intent to cause harm. But our fire pits, lawn mowers, weed whackers, rototillers, cars, and domestic dogs and cats have a decimating effect on the lives of hundreds of wild babies in RI every year. Yet, with just a few minutes of your time many of these injuries could be prevented.
So PLEASE, before starting a fire, check the contents of your fire pit for any wildlife nests. Do a once over of your yard before passing the lawn mower. Check trees and bushes for bird, squirrel, or other nests containing babies before cutting/trimming.
Report any injured animals in and along the sides of our roadways. Victims can sometimes last for days before dying, and an injury that causes immobility may slowly lead to death by starvation. But, always call for guidance before touching or moving any animal.
If you find a cottontail rabbit nest, PLEASE DO NOT remove the babies. Once babies are taken from their mom their chance of survival drops drastically. Instead, please call and we will advise the best course of action.
For guidance, emergency assistance, or to report an injured animal, call the wildlife hotline: 401-294-6363. Or the Wildlife Rehabilitators Association of RI website (just type in "WRARI") is a great place to start for accurate, detailed information regarding wildlife-related issues.