When orphaned or displaced young wildlife are brought to us for help, our first goal is to do our best to find and reunite the young with the original mother or family. When the original parents are thought to be present, one reuniting tool is using the call of distressed young to bring in the concerned parent. This can be as easy as when picking up a young robin from the travel box as they scream in fear. If the parents are nearby, they will come quickly (and dramatically) to "save" their baby. We also have other tools: recordings of a frightened jackrabbit, fawn, crow, or many others can be used to call in a protective parent.
If reuniting is not possible, we then search for another wild family of the same species with young of the same age in which to "foster" the orphan. It is our strong belief that being raised by a wild parent is the best chance young have to learn survival skills. Alluding predators, correct socialization with their own species, and seeking correct food is critical to becoming successful adults.
Being raised by humans can never replace a real parent.
Medicine River Wildlife Centre staff have spent years perfecting the fostering processes with a wide range of species, including five years of attaching transmitters and tracking fawns, beaver kits, moose, and coyote pups.
You can help! If you know of a nest, den, or other wild family unit, please help us foster a youngster or two by completing and submitting the following form. If your situation fits what we need this season, or in future years, we will contact you.
If you are from another wildlife rehabilitation facility and are interested in detailed information on how to foster, we are more than happy to share our knowledge. Please contact us.