FAQ

We are here at TCWC to answer your questions concerning wildlife.  We may not answer all of them on this page so please feel free to call  US at 209-547-3233.

(Q) Why can't I take care of wild life myself?

(A) In the state of California you would need to have a state and or federal permit to care for the wild life animals yourself.  Wild animals carry a lot of diseases and parasites that can be transferred from them to you!  Some of these diseases are deadly and if you are not well educated on zoonotic diseases, you may very well be exposing your pets and family to potential illness or death.  There is also much more to caring for wild animals then most think.  Even just to feed a baby animal, they need to be hydrated and maintained a the proper body temperature.  Also various formulas you may purchase in pet stores may need to be altered in some way to ensure the animal is getting the proper diet.  Improper diet can be the cause of poor bone development or seizures in early adulthood.  It is very important that the animal be exposed to others of it's kind and learn to live as a wild animal.  So raising a wild animal is not as simple as it may seem or as cute.

(Q) If a baby animal is touched by humans or domestic animal will the mother really reject the baby?

(A) This is not true.  In the case of most birds they have a very poor developed sense of smell and wouldn't be able to detect the human scent.  So most mothers will not automatically reject the baby if there is human scent on the animal.  However it is rarely ever a good idea to touch a wild animal, but on the same hand not all is lost if you do.  If your child finds or takes say a baby bunny from the nest you may replace the baby and let your child know why he or she should not do that again.  If one of your domestic animal gets a baby you may also replace the baby as long as there are no injuries.  Bacteria from a cats mouth can be deadly to most baby animals.

(Q) It appears a female duck has made a nest next to my front door.  She flys away when I come out of my house.  Should I move the nest to a more secure location?

(A) It is against the federal law to move a nest, which contains eggs of any type of bird.  They are protected by the Migratory Bird Act.  Don't be concerned that you have disturbed her from her nesting duties.  First of all a female mallard will lay between 10-14 eggs.  They won't stay on the nest all the time.  She won't start the incubation period until she is finished laying.  If you were to move the nest and the eggs, she would have no way of knowing where you moved them to.  We recommend you go about your business.  However you will want to teach your children to leave the nest alone, and if you mow the lawn you will want to shield the nest.  Ducks will often make their nests miles from water.  Once she does start to incubate the eggs, it will take about 30 days before they hatch.  PLEASE do not put out food or water as they will just attract predators.  When the babies do arrive and become active, try to stay out of the way.  The mother has a plan but you can help her to watch out for possible hazards.  Such as busy intersections, storm sewer grates, and so forth.  If you try to get directly involved the mother may fly away and make the situation worse.

(Q) We found a bat in the main part of our house.  Do we have them in our attic?

(A) If a bat does get into the main part of your house please stay calm.  Your objective is to remove the uninvited guest without injury to you or the bat.  Be sure that young children or incapacitated adults in the home have not been bitten.  Bats do not carry rabies in any higher numbers than any other animals, but their bite could easily go undetected as it is so small.  If you know you have bats in your attic there is a very easy exclusion device that will allow them to leave but not be able to return.  You cannot use this device when they have babies.  Please contact TCWC and they can talk you through the situation and let you know if it is the right time of year to use the device in order not to hurt any babies.

(Q) How do I get a raccon out of my attic?

(A) Most likely if a raccoon has set up house in your attic, shed, chimney or any where else, it is a female looking to nest.  Do not rush to call a live trapper.  Live trappers are required to euthanize the raccoons they have trapped by California law.  Or they must release them directly back on to the site.  You can usually take care of the problem yourself.  Raccoons are looking for a warm, quiet, dark place to have their babies. The idea is to change the environment of where ever the raccoon has chosen, and she will most likely move her babies to another location.  Such as a dead tree with a hollow hole in it.  Turn on lights, you can use those clamp lights.  Playing a radio during the day when they are trying to sleep, and use a fan to blow directly into the nest.  These little tid bits should give her the hint that this is not the right place for her and her babies.  Give it some time though she won't move them right away.  It could easily take up to a week for her to find a new place and move all the babies.  Once you are sure she has left, repair the place she got in so another uninvited guest doesn't appear.  Always feel free to call TCWC for any advice and or support.  Wildlife needs places for homes also, so try to be understanding of their situations and help them to be able to support their families and give them what they need.  So try and find a way to conexist with the other creatures of this world.  Enjoy sharing space with them!