Thursday, June 25, 2009

Baby Rabbit Rescue Attempt.. Please help!




Well on our way to Wal Mart this evening, in the 93 degree heat out in the middle of a busy road was a baby rabbit, barely moving, half heartedly trying to get out of the way of traffic. Hubby quickly turned around, I jumped out of the car to see the bunny while hubby blocked traffic with the car. He didn't appear to be hurt, except for a small amount of blood on his back foot. As I approached him he laid very still just until I reached down to get him and then he limped off onto the shoulder of the road. I yelled for hubby to grab a towel in the car which I softly put over the rabbit and scooped him up, brought him home and now he is in my basement in a wire hutch with water and a variety of flowers/vegetables to eat and a bowl of water.... I am thinking he may have gotten in the road, wasn't exactly "hit" by a car but perhaps scattered around amongst traffic, scraped himself up pretty good and laid there dazed in the heat. He was panting and breathing so hard as if he was heat exhausted. He is old enough to be without his mother, I would guess 6-8 weeks and I am SO hoping he shows signs of improvement in a few days and all will be well with him.
I am so torn on this little rabbit. I read several wildlife rehab sites online and spoke to one(rather cold hearted) wildlife expert this morning and most of what I hear, claims that baby rabbits have a very high stress level, and most rabbits brought in for rehab will not make it, because of stress. She said he would no doubt be someones lunch or dinner if I let him go, but that's the way it is in nature. Well of course I understand natural selection and the survival of the fittest, etc., but I just don't know if I can let him go knowing full well he won't make it with his hurt paw. Right now he is eating well and drinking water, and seemingly "unstressed". Plus we are supposed to get strong storms this afternoon and evening, with hail and heavy winds so the thought of him out in that kills me. Please everyone give me your thoughts.... I am thinking that if by morning, if he is still surviving, his paw will be that much more healed, and the storms will be over. He will havea full stomach and over his heat exhaustion, so at that time I will let him go in an area that has no dogs, no cats and no people, some shelter, water and greens to eat. I am so torn. 3 days before the big party and I have a list a mile long of things to do but all I can think of is whether or not I am doing the right thing. Any advice PLEASE!

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

LET GOD TAKE CARE OF THE WILD ANIMALS- HE ALWAYS DOES. TERRY

pinkglitterfae said...

I can only tell you what I would do, whether wrong or right. Since you already have him in a cage with food and water, I would leave him alone a couple of days to heal.
Then release him in the wild...if he is slightly injured, which is what it sounds like, he will have a bit of a break dodging traffic and predators, enough to give him a better chance on his own.

good luck with this, and with the party in 3 days.

Artsnark said...

we have a wonderful vet nearby who takes any injured animal,even the wild ones. I've brought him 1 squirrel, a stray chicken & several wild birds over the years. He then sends them where they need to go after treating.

Perhaps you have a similar vet near you?

Holly Hills Primitives said...

Hi Carol! We tried to save a baby rabbit years ago and our vet told us to give them calf manna in an eye dropper. Our little guy wasn't big enough to be on his own yet and didn't make it, but maybe you could try this for a couple days until he gets stronger. Good luck, Dawn

Velvet Dove said...

I did an online search about caring for an injured wild rabbit. Advice I read was to contact a wildlife rehabilitation specialist. Here is the link with hopefully a specialist in your area. Best wishes to bunny and to you.
http://www.tc.umn.edu/~devo0028/contactA.htm

Kathy said...

No advice, but a huge thank you for looking out for these wonderful creatures. I wold be doing the same thing, I am hoping that this little bunny makes it. Bless you and hubby too.
~xx~
Kathy