Wildlife

AC wildlife

WILDLIFE CONCERNS:

The Town of Webster and the WPD Animal Control Unit is not involved in the population or disease management of native wildlife. 


This is the jurisdiction of the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation.

Wildlife 2.22.23

Nuisance Wildlife

Currently the WPD Animal Control unit is unable to handle all wildlife calls. We will be posting monthly educational information to assist in coexistence or removal options for native wildlife concerns.

Please leave a message at (585) 872-7009.

DEC- Wildlife Region 8   

6274 E. Avon-Lima Rd. Avon, NY 14414
585-226-2466
https://www.dec.ny.gov/animals/7005.html


For orphaned or injured wildlife call a NYS Wildlife Rehabilitator:

Current list of Licensed Wildlife Rehabilitators:
https://data.ny.gov/w/p5wx-nivw/caer-yrtv?cur=3dPRTc7TChq

Helpful Wildlife Information:

https://projectcoyote.org/resources/download-and-share/articles-factsheets/  Coyote/fox information

http://www.foxwoodwildliferescue.org/2018/03/   Fox information

https://wildlifehelp.org/animals/new-york/fox    Fox information

https://wildlifehelp.org/animals/new-york     All Wildlife

https://www.wildlifecenter.org/baby-deer  Deer Information

Fox Update August 2022
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Many fawns can appear to be abandoned, but being left alone during the day is actually how a fawn's mother protects it from predators! The mother stays away during the day to avoid attracting predators near the baby, then she comes back at dawn and dusk to feed and care for the fawn. The fawns have no scent and are protected from predators. 

Please resist the need to touch them because you will leave a human scent on the fawn that will attract the predators to the fawn. Do not move or pick the fawn up unless it is in immediate danger.

It is your responsibility as a pet owner to control your animals until the fawn is relocated by its mother, which is usually within 24-hours when she returns to feed the baby. Does place their babies close to residential areas because they are safer than being in the open fields or woods. The fawns are not usually able to keep up with the mother until they are almost 4 weeks old.  So, it is normal for a fawn to be moved all over a neighborhood. 

Some signs to that you do need to call a wildlife rehabilitator are:

  1. The fawn is crying. A fawn will make a loud, desperate “myaaa” sound when extremely hungry. Fawns don’t usually vocalize because their noises can attract predators, so crying is a sign that something is amiss and that the baby is desperate for its mother.

  2. The fawn has curled ears. When a fawn becomes dehydrated, its ears curl at the tips. Please note that some healthy fawns have naturally curled ears, so it’s not a good idea to use this sign alone as a reason to take a fawn into care. Instead, look for this symptom along with other red flags.

  3. You see flies, fly eggs, or maggots. Flies are drawn not just to dead animals, but also sick or weak ones. When an fawn dehydrates it releases ketones in its breath which has a very sweet smell to it. This smell will attract bees and flies. An orphaned fawn may be surrounded by flies or have eggs in its fur. (These look like grains of rice.) When the eggs hatch, this is a medical emergency and needs very urgent attention.

  4. The fawn has is visibly injured. While minor scrapes and bumps often heal fine on their own, serious injuries like gashes, bites, and broken bones warrant medical attention. Please take an injured fawn to a rehabilitator or veterinarian as quickly as possible.

  5. A fawn that is laying on its side with its legs out in front of them and not tucked up underneath their body. It would look much like a dog laying on its side the floor.

  6. You have seen no sign of the mother for more than 48 hours. In the absence of other signs of danger, it is safe to leave a fawn up to 48 hours to wait for its mother to return. We have seen many cases of mothers who left their young for long periods of time but ultimately returned. However, after 48 hours, it’s usually best to “call it” and assume that the mother isn’t coming back (https://forfoxsakewildlife.com).

Please remember that rehabilitation is not a DIY job! If you do find a fawn who needs help, it is critical to get in touch with a licensed rehabilitator as quickly as possible so the fawn can receive proper care. Please visit www.dec.ny.gov for a list of wildlife rehabilitators near you.

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Helpful Turtle Resources:

https://www.boxturtleworld.com/blog/help-turtle-across-road/ 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lgd_B6iKPxU

How to help turtles safely across the road:

  • Safety First!  Busy roads and highways are dangerous for humans and animals.  Turn on your hazard lights and carefully pull off to the side of the road.  Make sure other drivers see you, before stepping onto the road.

  • Determine if the turtle is injured.  If he or she is injured, call your veterinarian to see if they will take it.  They may refer you to another vet that does accept injured wildlife.

  • Injured turtles:  If you see a turtle on the road that has been hit, PLEASE STOP to help it! He/she may not be dead!  Reptiles, especially turtles, have an extraordinary capacity to remain alive, even with severely injured.  They can do this because of their slow their metabolic rate.   The benefit of a low resting metabolism is that it requires far less fuel to sustain bodily functions.  This enables them to survive for long periods of time, even when injured!  Turtles can often survive, even if their shell is crushed, if they are given medical treatment in time. I have saved countless turtles who had been hit on the road by getting them to a vet in time.  Don’t let him/her just lay there suffering and baking in the sun!  Take them to a veterinary clinic near you.  Call the vet to let them know you are coming.  If the veterinarian does not have the ability to help you, they will send you to a veterinarian who specializes in reptiles and exotics, or wildlife specialist.   

  • When picking up a small to medium turtle, grasp it firmly and confidently on both sides of its shell between the front and rear legs (along its side).  Turtles have long legs and claws, so they might be able to kick at you, but don’t freak out.   Most will choose to stay safely tucked in their shell, during the brief time that you are moving them.

  • Keep the turtle low to the ground when moving them. Even small turtles have surprising strength.  If a turtle pushes free of your grip, you do not want it to fall and injure itself.

  • If it’s a very large turtle, it may be a snapping turtle, or a softshell turtle.  Both species can be large, heavy, and quite feisty.  They have a very wide reach with their neck and powerful jaws, so be careful.  I would not advise picking it up, but you can still help it cross the road by staying nearby – out of its way – while it continues to cross.  Let the passing cars see you and the turtle so they can safely go around you and the turtle.

  • Do not remove them from the area. Turtles have home territories and will make every effort to return home.

  • Not all turtles swim so do not put a turtle directly into a pond or lake as it will drown.

  • Do not take turtles home for pets as it is illegal and they may have zoonotic diseases.