Image From Frank Farance Roosevelt Island resident Frank Farance reports on a baby squirrel tended to recently. From Mr. Farance:
Rossana Ceruzzi, Island House resident and wildlife specialist, helped rescue a baby squirrel who fell from a nest in the trees behind the church. I don’t remember the name of the man who helped her, but the two of them climbed the tree and put the squirrel back home while the baby’s mother watched from a distance. They said the family was reunited afterward.
Ms. Ceruzzi adds:
Alex is the name of the man who helped me returning the baby to the nest.
In a nutshell…this is the story.
In addition to warmth, the most important first treatment the baby squirrel needed was rehydration. The baby was about 4 weeks old.
I re-hydrated him with electrolyte fluids. Electrolyte fluids are administered to repair damage from dehydration, refill reserves, and re-establish body chemistry.
Any baby has encountered trauma by being separated from Mama: the separation may have been just a few hours but even the healthiest looking baby should first be rehydrated.
As a general advise to the readers:
When a wild baby loses its mother it is in desperate trouble. Its best chance for survival will be for a rescuer to find a wildlife rehabilitator as soon as possible.Wildlife rehabilitators are community volunteers, licensed by State Government Wildlife Agencies.
I am very happy to be one of them!
More information on NY State Wildlife Rehabilitators available here.