Comfort for Young Wild Patients
Orphaned and injured young wild animals are arriving at Tucson Wildlife Center (TWC) in all shapes and sizes, and each comes with its own unique challenges.
Occasionally, entire nests or litters are admitted together, which is often the best solution when their parents are known to be dead. Having siblings together provides young animals with a sense of comfort and security, while also allowing them to learn species-appropriate behaviors from one another and reducing the risk of habituation to humans.
However, many of our orphans arrive alone. So how do we provide comfort and companionship while still helping them remain wild?
For our mammal patients, stuffed animals are surprisingly effective. One young coyote pup immediately tucked himself between the legs of a stuffed coyote (see photo), using it as a place to hide from his caregivers. Once he completes quarantine, he will be introduced to another coyote pup in care. Until then, his toy provides a little extra comfort.
In the video, a raccoon kit cuddles with a “Snuggle Kitty”—a stuffed animal that contains a device designed to mimic the sound and rhythm of a heartbeat, helping reduce anxiety in young animals. While no substitute for a mother or siblings, these surrogate companions can help reduce stress during the early stages of rehabilitation.
If you are cleaning out old toys and come across a stuffed animal that could use a new purpose in life, consider donating it to your local wildlife rehabilitation center. At TWC, stuffed animals of all sizes are always in demand. They provide comfort and security for many of our patients, including bunnies, squirrels, raccoons, bobcats, coyotes, javelinas, and more. If you would like to help patients like these young wild mammals, click this link to donate,
Another way you can contribute is to visit our “wish list” on Amazon or Chewy below:
We appreciate it, as will all the wild animals in our care!
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Show your support with a minimum $25 donation and we’ll send you a “KEEP TUCSON WILD” sticker. Click the bumper sticker to donate.