Found Abandoned Wild Baby Bunny!

[Fashionvictim]

In the middle of our lawn, we noticed a bare spot. Upon raking it a bit, we heard shrieking, and peered inside to find 5 baby bunnies, eyes closed, ears back.

We left them alone, and the mother came back that night. We woke up this morning to find 3 gone, one gruesomely killed outside the hole, and one left inside. Not knowing what to do, I scooped the baby(whose eyes are now open, and ears are comming forward) up and put him in a towel lined box with pieces of the nest in it.

He was scared at first, but is now happy and loves to explore my room, sniffing around. He drank some of the recommended amount of kitten milk replacement formula from my hand(He''s not a fan of the bottle), and is resting in his box in my warm, dark room.

I''m so nervous, I know fatality rates are high for this little guy, but he seems to be doing ok. I think in a couple of weeks he''ll be ready to be released. He looks well fed, and alert.

Any suggestions?

 

[Gypsy]

He may not be able to be released... I don''t know much about this, personally. But I in NJ I knew a wildlife rehabilitator (worked for the shelter I volunteered at) and I know that when the animals were wild there were very distinct procedures to be followed if the goal was to release them to the wild. I would call your local shelter (or research online) about wildlife rehab.

It''s a wonderful thing you are doing... good luck, and if you have time to post some pics I''d love to see the little guy.

 

[Kaleigh]

Call your local Vet, and see what they say. I''m sure they can give you the info you need, or give you the contact info of people that specialize in this. Good luck. Sounds like the little guy is doing well. Take pics for us.

 

[door knob solitaire]

I just happen to be an experienced wild rabbit-ologist. (i just made that up). About 9 years ago my husband found two little tikes eyes just opened...in the city in a busy location... at our post office. They would have to cross 2 lanes of hot August asphalt in traffic and jump a 8 inch curb...to find a safe haven. He scooped them up in his hat and brought them to me.

We have been without them now, for almost an year and a half. They had a very long healthy and happy life. We built a condo that span our entire living room had a run along the ceiling and out the exterior wall to outside and then back in again at another point into our shop and then it returned back where it started. They were litter box trained. They were fed nothing but the best organic fresh spring mix fresh fruits veggies and seed. We took them in to have them spayed and vaccinations. And occasionally back in for check ups. The comments from our wildlife vet were always amazement as wild rabbits rarely live beyond a year and a half. I paint this picture for you so you know we took extremely good care of these babes. And the reason we had too is we waited too long to turn them loose, and also realized that they would not be able to locate spring mix, papaya, bananas etc on their own. This was their diet, we were responsible and we didn''t take our MISTAKE lightly. We rarely took trips and when we did we had a BIL that was a great twice daily visitor. We took this task and made it forefront in our lives. They may be just two rabbits to other people, but to us they were two lives dependant on us...and our decisions.

Now, that being said...it was a MISTAKE. My father always taught me to enjoy and respect wildlife as it is...WILD. Pets are pets, but wild life is meant to be free and wild. My husband convinced me it was too late to let them go...I gave in. It is EXTREMELY important that you don''t make the same mistake I made. Please contact a rehabilitator immediately. Let the trained professional take the reigns. There are so many nuances that these people know...things that can make the difference in a healthy life. (we just rescued two teeny owl babies-many calls I made told me to feed it raw steak until it was healthy enough to fly...found an expert and learned that JUST one day without the proper diet can determine whether or not this bird will be able to fly. It must eat bone daily and maintain a constant calcium intake. We had no way of knowing all those details. We found a rehab and within two hours...the babes were safe with someone who knew what was best...) So I urge you to do the same with the rabbit. I know that baby is the cutest thing you have ever seen. I held them in amazement as you are also doing. It is noble that you are trying to learn what is best for the critter. And also that you took the time to provide a safe shelter and rescue.

DKS

PS. Just added info if anyone else reads this post and finds themselves in the same predicament. If you don''t have the kitten milk...NEVER give cows milk-diarrhea then dehydration will occur. Soy Milk will work great. We fed ours soy until the day we lost them. Soy vanilla by Soy Dream had a sweet taste they were attracted to it...and therefore lapped it right up. If you saw the mother feed it at least once in the day...it is close to its fill on food for the day. Too much of something wrong can be worse that not enough food. The white dot on the top of their head will diminish and be almost gone when it is time for the kid to leave it''s mother. The dot is usually a good indicator. This is when the wild rabbit is reintroduced to the wild while in the care of the rehab or still with the mother. If you ever find a nest of babies, don''t disturb it. Mom is not far away...she sees you long before you realize and she is wise to stay away from view as you will spot her before her well camo''d litter. If you get close, she will often run out in the open to get your attention away from her family. They prefer dawn and dusk times and usually are more active then. They feed the babies twice a day...and watch over them always. So do your best to keep your distance. In this situation it is possible that the mother had to leave a baby or two for the safety of the rest of the litter. Predator may have been distracted with at least one still left in the nest. It is possible that she had to sacrifice one for the group.

 

[door knob solitaire]

Fashion victim,

How did your latest teeny guest fare through the night? Is everything ok? Bet you had a hard time falling asleep?

DKS

 

[FireGoddess]

Fascinating info DKS.

How is the little baby, FV? We found a little rabbit hole in the backyard once - dad picked one up with latex gloves so as not to get our scent on him. We had bunnies hopping everywhere. The mom didn''t abandon them though, and they were fine. I''m so thankful you rescued this little guy. Definitely seek out expert opinion, as once they''re tame...they''re not really suitable for wild living anymore.

 

[monarch64]

Good luck, Fashionvictim! I know it''s hard to walk away from helpless little creatures and I probably would''ve ended up doing the same thing you are, but DKS is right, they are wild and we should interfere as little as possible. I hope the situation turns out ok, though--you''re a kind hearted soul for trying to save the little guy.

 

[fatafelice]

I definitely second (or third?) the advice about finding a wildlife rehabilitator. Baby bunnies are unbelievably fragile. I rescued one from a dog as a child and my mom and I did manage to keep it healthy and set it free, but it could have easily gone the other way, as I learned a few years ago. I saved another poor little thing from a cat and was trying to get a hold of the rehabilitator I found listed online, but the poor little guy didn''t make it. Probably because he had some puncture wounds from the cat, but still...

 

[ger100]

I live in a rural area with a lot of wild critters. Definitely do QUICKLY local a wild life rehabilitator. They are amazing. I would call the local Audubon, a Nature Preserve, (use the yellow pages), the police, the town hall, local vets, anybody you can think of, becaue a lot of wild life rehabbers specialize!

I had a baby Robin (just out of the nest, not quite ready to fly) one year which was kinda crooked...he couldn''t sit up straight. Since it was late on a Sunday and everything was closed, I took it to work (in city) into my private office and fed it hamburger (it sat in a box in the closet). It lived quite well for a week (propped up since it was crooked) until I could bring it back to the Audubon when I went home. Sadly, the "kinda crooked" turned out to be (so they told me) from some type of agricultural poisoning which was not curable.

2 years previously I found a similarly sized Grosbeak, which flew lower and lower each time it tried. I quickly ran it to the Audubon (40 minutes away). I hesitated calling to find out its condition because it was so cute and I didn''t want to hear bad news. But about a year later I finally did call and found that it had been successfully released. They had kept such good records that they could look up when it came it, and when it was released...very impressive.

There is an Eagle which the Audubon takes to various schools around the area (northwest CT), because it can''t be released. They use it to educate the kids in respect for wildings.

Take the bunny to a wild life rehabilitator...fast. It''s the best thing you can do. As was previously stated, wildthings are meant to be wild. When you check back on the bunny''s progress in about a month or so, you will feel really good at having made the right decisioin.

Oh, and if you want something just as cute and more appropriate for house living: get a Zoe (my cat): the softest white bunny fur!

Very smart, very sweet, and she loves to keep me company (shelter rescue).


As far as other wildings: I''ve also seen Racoons during the daytime which were NOT rabid...but I wouldn''t approach them. One sat in my lilac bush outside my living room window dripping sweat from its paws on one disgustingly hot summer day. It was not sick, just hot and tired. Once I saw a mom Racoon perch 3 babies in a tall tree and leave them there almost ALL DAY...they do this...while she went hunting. During the daylight also...obviously again, NOT rabid.

I''ve also seen Opossums...one kept nooking out in my chicken coop. I scooped him up (heavy leather gloves) and dumped him outside...they eat chicken eggs which I''d rather eat myself.

I''ve also seen groundhogs, one with a baby in tow...absolutely a sight to behold...and again, during the day, but late in the day.

Deer, turkeys, foxes. All of these things are around, travel mostly early or later in the day. Don''t fear them, but don''t touch them either. I really feel bad for all the Racoons which are being "turned in" as rabid just because they''re around during the day!

Ger

PS: Let us know how you do!

 

[Fashionvictim]

Bunny is doing great, he loves exploring my room and having his twice daily KMR bottle.

I''ve found the number of a wildlife rehabber in my area and I''m going to give her a call tomorrow and see what she says. He still has the white spot on his head(Its more of a thick-ish line) and I''ve only offered him the formula or dandelion greens, grass and hay(I think he''s too young, he''s not very interested in them)

He gets more curious every day, but sleeps well through the night and when I''m not there.


Thanks for all of your input!


Nicole

 

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[Gypsy]

FV... I''m so happy to hear about the wildlife rehabilitator and I''m thrilled that bunny is contended with his current home. Keep us updated on what happens ... with pictures if you please.

 

[Beacon]

How adorable to find the baby bunny. You need to quickly decide what you want to do: keep it for a pet or turn it back to the outdoors.

If you keep it too long it will acclimate to people and be unsuitable for release to the wild. You''ll then have no choice but to make it a pet.

I volunteer in my Humane Society in their wildlife area. We get all kinds of animals. I work mostly with birds. We go to special procedures so those birds do not turn tame to people, even though we have to hand feed the young. This includes never speaking in their presence and keeping contact minimal. It seems sad, but it is the best thing for their long term survival in the wild.

Good luck, but decide ASAP if you want a pet or not cause if you don''t you need to get that cutie over to a wildlife rehab center.

 

[monarch64]

Date: 5/29/2007 10:26:45 PM
Author: Fashionvictim
Bunny is doing great, he loves exploring my room and having his twice daily KMR bottle.

I''ve found the number of a wildlife rehabber in my area and I''m going to give her a call tomorrow and see what she says. He still has the white spot on his head(Its more of a thick-ish line) and I''ve only offered him the formula or dandelion greens, grass and hay(I think he''s too young, he''s not very interested in them)

He gets more curious every day, but sleeps well through the night and when I''m not there.


Thanks for all of your input!


Nicole

Good for you Nicole! Here''s hoping bunny gets back to his natural habitat or lives a long and prosperous life with you.

 

[Fancy605]

Awe! What a sweet story. I am thinking the lil guy may well be better off living with you than being re-released. If he gets too tame, he may not do well out there in the wild. Of course, I am sure a wildlife specialist would know better than I do. Either way, I wish the lil guy the best!