Ah, the chaotic and adorable time known as wildlife baby season! For wildlife rehabilitators, it’s like hosting a never-ending baby shower that’s gone completely wild!
Picture this: Staff and volunteers at Gold Country Wildlife Rescue (GCWR) are minding their own business, tending to a hundred or so injured animals, when suddenly, baby animals start pouring in like there’s no tomorrow. Our doorbell rings incessantly, all day long. It’s as if the animal kingdom decided to have a population explosion just to test their multitasking skills. This year we’ve already received x,xxx animals!
Imagine the scene: squirrels scurrying around, birds chirping incessantly, and tiny, fuzzy creatures demanding attention left and right. It’s like a wildlife daycare center on steroids! The GCWR crew turn into superheroes, juggling feeding schedules, triaging new patients (sometimes 50 in one day!), and endless cleaning duties.
And let’s not forget the unique challenges that come with each species. Feeding baby birds? Get ready to mash up worms and crickets into a fine dining experience, complete with squirming and hopping entrees. Raising orphaned mammals? Be prepared for round-the-clock bottle feeding, then weaning and ultimately lots of enrichment activities until they can fend for themselves.
But amidst the chaos, there’s a certain joy and satisfaction in watching these little bundles of fur and feathers grow, thrive, and eventually return to the wild where they belong. It’s like witnessing a wildlife reality show with a happy ending, where the contestants transform from helpless cuties to independent, self-sufficient creatures.
Wildlife baby season is like running a wildlife nursery with a side of craziness. It’s a whirlwind adventure where patience, dedication, and a love for all things fluffy and feathery are the key ingredients. And hey, they’ll have some pretty amazing stories to share at future family gatherings—ones that definitely top any baby shower anecdotes!
