Dealing with Orphaned, Sick, or Injured Wildlife

Maine is a beautiful state with an abundance of wildlife. Whether you are spending time in your backyard, hiking, driving down the road, or camping, you are likely to see some critters. After all, Maine is their home, too!

As a general rule, you should always watch wild animals from a distance and never feed or touch them. If you come across wildlife you think might be orphaned, sick, or injured, here’s what you can do:

I found young wildlife all alone

If you encounter wildlife anywhere in the Maine outdoors, remember this motto: If you care, leave them there. Wild animals and birds do not make good pets, and it’s against the law to possess them without the proper state and federal permits.

Picking up young wildlife might seem like the right thing to do; but in most cases, wildlife has a much better chance at survival when not disrupted by humans. Direct contact with wildlife can also expose you (or your family and pets) to a variety of diseases, and it can lead to an animal being euthanized in order to test for rabies.

If you care, leave them there.

Wildlife is very active during the late spring and summer – just like us!

If you encounter wildlife anywhere in the Maine outdoors, remember this motto: If you care, leave them there. 

Is it orphaned?

If you’re out walking in a field, woodland area, or even your backyard, and you happen upon a baby fawn, moose calf, fox, raccoon, or other young wildling all by itself, you may worry that it has been abandoned by its mother. It probably hasn’t. The mother-young bond in mammals and birds is very strong; and most likely, mom is just out searching for food and will be back soon.

The best thing you can do if you come across a young animal or bird is leave it alone; and if you have pets, put them inside or on a leash. Picking up young wildlife might seem like the right thing to do; but in most cases, they have a much better chance at survival when not disrupted by humans or pets.  Well-meaning people who take young animals out of the wild are actually harming the animals' chances of becoming normal adults. Animals that are taken by people and later released into the wild are at a disadvantage, as they lack the skills needed to find natural food and cover. Young wildlife cared for by humans often end up attached to people, with natural little fear. These animals sometimes end up wandering into populated areas, being attacked by domestic animals, being hit by cars, or even injuring people.

It’s against the law to possess wildlife without the proper state and federal permits, and for good reason: wild animals and birds do not make good pets; in fact, direct contact with wildlife can expose you to a variety of diseases, and can lead to an animal being euthanized in order to test for rabies or other harmful diseases. Young wildlife have specific nutritional requirements, so even temporary care to what you think is orphaned can be harmful to the animal. When well-intentioned people unnecessarily pick-up wildlife, it puts undue strain on rehabilitators who need to concentrate limited resources on truly orphaned or injured wildlife.

When you encounter specific species, here are some additional tips to keep in mind:

Fawns: It is always best to leave fawns alone, and you should never attempt to feed them under any circumstances. The nutrient profile of a mother’s milk enables a doe to leave her fawn for many hours while she feeds on her own to sustain the demands of nursing. Until the fawn is strong enough to keep up and come along, an adult doe may hide her fawn in the forest floor leaves, returning two or three times a day to nurse. During this time, the fawn is protected from predators by its camouflaged coat and its lack of scent. Repeated visits to a fawn can draw the attention of predators, and could discourage the mother from returning.

Moose calves: Treat moose calves as you would fawns, but also be aware that approaching or handling a moose calf is likely to elicit a defensive response from a mother moose if it is nearby, and can lead to personal injury.

Squirrels or Raccoons: If a nest of squirrels or raccoons must be disturbed (for example, if a tree has been cut down or fallen), leave the young in the den part of the tree and move this part of the tree to a nearby protected place. The mother will most likely come back and transport them to a new location.

Birds: I Found a Baby Bird – Now What? (PDF) is a flow chart that can help you decide whether a baby bird needs rescue. If the youngster seems healthy and is in no immediate danger, you should attempt a family reunion. As shown in the flow chart, you can do this by placing the bird in a substitute nest. Unfortunately, these are not one-size-fits-all endeavors, as different kinds of birds prefer different types and locations (for example, parent birds from a cavity-nesting or ground-nesting species are unlikely to tend to offspring in a substitute nest hanging from a tree branch). If you need more help, try contacting Avian Haven at 207-382-6761. 

If you have observed a young wild animal alone for more than 48 hours and believe it truly may be orphaned, please contact a MDIFW regional biologist or game warden to alert them. Do NOT move the animal unless directed to by a wildlife professional.

I saw wildlife I think might be sick

The Department manages for healthy wildlife populations; but some species, including raccoons, fox, skunk, and woodchucks are more susceptible to rabies and other diseases.

When you see an animal in the wild, it can sometimes be tricky to tell if what they’re doing is normal or a cause for concern (though most of the time, strange-seeming behaviors are just part of a healthy animal’s routine). The table below can help you differentiate between sick/strange and normal wildlife behaviors.

How to identify sick or strange-acting wild animals and when to seek assistance

Sick or strange wildlife behavior

  • Spinning in circles, disoriented movement, falling over, unable to walk in a straight line, drooling or foaming at the mouth, and aggression towards people, domestic animals, or other objects
  • No fear of people; repeatedly approaching people
  • Unresponsiveness or lethargic temperament
  • Slow movements, limp appearance
  • Mucous discharge in the eyes and/or nose
  • Tremors
  • Chewing fits
  • Skunk-like smell
  • Face covered in porcupine quills

Please contact public safety for assistance if the animal is exhibiting the behavior(s) listed above:

  • Augusta 1-800-452-4664
  • Bangor 1-800-432-7381
  • Houlton 1-800-924-2261

Normal wildlife behaviors or situations

  • Patchy, thin, or mangey fur
  • Traveling on three legs or favoring a leg
  • Getting into a garden, compost pile, or bird feeder
  • Living under a deck, porch, shed, or garage
  • Acting defensive when cornered
  • Protecting their den site or pups in spring and summer (specifically predators)
  • Resting or hunting during the day in a yard, field, or meadow (any animal)
  • Travelling, feeding, or hunting in full view during the day or night, even with pets and children in the area (specifically raccoon, fox, skunk or woodchuck)

There is no need to contact public safety. If you wish to prevent wildlife from coming to your backyard, learn how to remove common attractants. If you seek assistance, you may hire an Animal Damage Control (ADC) Agent.

I found injured wildlife

Often what humans perceive as an injury can be normal behavior, or the animal can heal on its own without human intervention. 

In almost all cases, it’s best to leave wildlife alone and let them take care of their own injuries. Nature provides wildlife with the best options for survival and a better quality of life. 

Every year wild animals are unnecessarily picked up by well-intentioned people and brought to wildlife rehabilitators or referred to game wardens. Unfortunately, most of these animals would have lived a normal life in the wild, but instead are subject to more stress, a decreased chance of survival, and may never be able to live in the wild again. There are a few circumstances where intervention may be justified, and when it is not justified, it puts undue strain on licensed wildlife rehabilitators who need to concentrate limited resources on truly orphaned or injured wildlife.

To determine if the animal is truly injured, look for these signs:

  • The animal is unable to fly, stand, walk, or run when approached by a human.
  • There is an obvious large wound (cuts, broken exposed bones, or bleeding).
  • The animal has been attacked by a predator (dog, cat, another wild animal).
  • You witnessed the animal being hit by a vehicle.
  • The animal is vomiting or experiencing uncontrolled diarrhea.
  • Heavy panting for an extended period of time.

Call first! Never handle or move wildlife unless directed to do so by a wildlife professional.

If you encounter a deer, bear, moose, or turkey, that exhibits the conditions listed above please contact a MDIFW biologist or game warden. For all other species, please contact local licensed wildlife rehabilitator or Animal Damage Control agent.

Find a local licensed wildlife rehabilitator:

County Name Address Phone Facility Other Info
Androscoggin Jennifer Hale 377 Bishop Hill Road, Leeds ME 04263 207-524-2071 377 Bishops Hill Road, Leeds small mammals
Cumberland Kristine (Kris) Beaudoin 320 Longhill Road, Sebago, ME 04029 207-807-1986 320 Longhill Road, Sebago No Birds. Small mammals
Cumberland Wendy Clark 31 Woods Mills Road, East Baldwin, ME 04024 207-595-2140 31 Woods Mills Road, East Baldwin No Birds. Small mammals
Cumberland Pamela Richardson 6 Worcester Drive, Raymond, ME 04071 207-838-8967 66 Worcester Drive, Raymond small mammals From Brown Road in Raymond, bear right at 2 forks on Worcester Drive. 3rd house on left just past cement bridge.
Hancock Acadia Wildlife Foundation - Ann Rivers P.O. Box 207, Mount Desert, ME 207-288-4960 Kitteridge Brook Road, Mount Desert Island Amphibians, Bats, large raptors, medium mammals, otter, passerines and other small birds, reptiles, small mammals, small raptors, deer and waterbirds.
Kennebec Don Cote 1747 North Belfast Avenue, Vasssalboro ME 207-445-4326 1787 North Belfast Avenue, Vassalboro small mammals, medium mammals
Knox Margo B. Maloney D.V.M. 22 Atlantic Highway, Thomaston, ME 04861 207-557-5669 22 Atlantic Highway, Thomaston Horse and Hound Veterinary Services - Full service veterinary hospital available for initial care and has mobile triage unit small mammals, medium Mammals, passerines and other small birds
Lincoln Bridgat Green 605 Bath Road, Wiscasset, ME 04578 207-631-0814 Fire Road 608 Approx 2 miles from downtown. Follow Rte. 1 South behind Green's gas station. Gray home back in the woods. No birds. Small mammals, raccoons.
Lincoln Colleen Moureaux 485 Chewonki Neck Road, Wiscasset, ME 04578 207-882-7323 485 Chewonki Neck Road, Wiscasset Chewonki Foundation - Amphibians, bats, large raptors, medium mammals, passerines and other small birds, reptiles, small mammals and small raptors
Lincoln Mary (Betsy) Pratt 434 Pension Ridge Road, Boothbay, ME 04537 207-380-3617 434 Pension Ridge Road - Rte. 27 Boothbay to Hardwick Road; right onto Pension Ridge. No birds. Small mammals.
Oxford Katrina Carstensen 47 Mountain View Drive, Otisfield, ME 04270 207-583-2105 47 Mountain View Drive in Otisfield Large raptors, medium mammals, passerines and other small birds, small mammals, small raptors, turkey, waterbirds, deer
Oxford Jacqueline Fanning 11 Baldpate Mountain Drive, Waterford, ME 04088 207-583-6266 11 Baldpate Mountain Drive in Waterford No birds. Small Mammals
Oxford Jody Giddings P.O. Box 1924, Bethel, ME 04217 207-466-4700 146 Glades View Avenue in Newry Amphibians, bats, medium mammals, passerines and other small birds, reptiles, small mammals and small raptors.
Oxford Matthew E. Holden D.V.M. 136 Western Avenue, South Paris, ME 04281 207-743-9271 136 Western Avenue in South Paris Oxford Hills Veterinary Hospital - Full service veterinary hospital. small mammals, medium mammals, passerines and other small birds
Penobscot Evelyn Jordan 149 Pea Ridge Road, Chester, ME 04457 2207-794-6178 149 Pea Ridge Road in Chester Maine Birds and reptiles.
Waldo Avian Haven - Mark Payne, Dianne Winn, Laura Graham 418 North Palermo Road, Freedom, ME 04941 207-382-6761 418 North Palermo Road in Freedom Avian Haven - small raptors, large raptors, passerines and other small birds, waterbirds, turkey, reptiles, amphibians
Waldo Sandra Stone 240 Swanville Road, Frankfort, ME 04438 207-592-9000 240 Swanville Road in Frankfort Small and medium mammals. No Federal Permit - No Birds
York Elizabeth (Libby) Peck 4 Wilderness Way, York, ME 03909 207-351-6752 4 Wilderness Way in York No birds. Small and medium mammals.
Cumberland Misfits Rehab - Jennifer Marchigiani 850 Garfield Road, Auburn, ME 04210 207-212-1039 850 Garfield Road, Auburn, ME 04210 small mammals, medium mammals, bats, reptiles, amphibians
Cumberland Cynthea Bridges 29 River Road, West Baldwin, ME 04091 207-331-7909 29 River Road, West Baldwin, ME small and medium mammals
Penobscot Matthew Ewing Orono 207-944-9974 Orono ***Referrals from MDIFW staff only*** bobcat, fox, fisher and coyote
Hancock Critterville Wildlife - Susan Wotton 370 Bay Road, Brooklin, ME 04616 845-549-2407 370 Bay Road, Brooklin, ME 04616 Can take small and medium mammals, reptiles and deer. Will accept rabies vector species with the exception of bats. Cannot accept birds.
Androscoggin Adam Farrington 141 Watson Road, Poland, ME 04274 207-210-1366 141 Watson Road, Poland, ME 04274 Amphibians, reptiles, small mammals, rabies vector species and medium mammals to include deer.