Wednesday, October 15, 2008

Austin Wildlife

Here are some pictures from last weekend's visit to the Wildlife Rescue.

There wasn't much work to do because we were delayed and went there a little late in the morning. Most of the feeding and cleaning was done by then, but there were two special little babies that needed to be fed.


The baby raccoons had been found in a shed, apparently. But looks like many people just round up raccoons and drop them off here for no other reason than to get rid of them from their property! So it's quite possible that these babies were stolen while their mother was away, and she's looking for them right now. :(

Last weekend while we were there, one lady showed up with yet another perfectly healthy raccoon - she had been steadily catching them on her property and dropping them off at this rescue center. She said they were getting into her vegetable patch. The volunteer there who talked to her said that the last time she'd brought in a lactating mother raccoon. They had asked her to look for babies, but the lady didn't get back to them. If separated from their moms, these babies just die. I wish people wouldn't do this, and would just get a fence and learn to live with wildlife!


These little ones were fast asleep when they were extracted from the carrier to be fed. As soon as they woke up, they started screaming and searching frantically for the nipple! They hadn't learned to drink yet, so couldn't really suck on the nipple. So it was quite a production getting the pedialyte into their hungry little mouths. :)


There were other curious babies there too. This one kept clawing its way to the top of the crib, trying to get to us.


They are just weeks old! The ginger ones have found families already, but the black one still needs a home.


Cute, aren't they?

13 comments:

megha puNAter" said...

its lovely what you do bindu,i wish i had more time.

Sydney said...

I want to come visit you NOW! you do really get the chance to do some amazing things. Love the little raccoon!

I got the idea now with being tagged. Thanks so much for doing that. I am putting up my tag in a day or two. Just busy with a few deadlines right now.

Blu said...

You are so lucky to have held these lovely little creatures. I just wonder what happens to them afterwards?.. Best wishes from Brittany France

Preeti Shenoy said...

Oh my God! So darn cute!! u are so lucky to be involved in this.
My children would have LOVED to be a part of something like this.
Cheers
Preeti

bindu said...

Megha - thanks. I find it extremely therapeutic being around the animals!

Sydney - then you should drive down! It's only 4 hours. :) Take your time with the tag - no hurry.

Blu - they get released back into the wild once they are well, or if they are babies, once they are able to take care of themselves. There is a lot of open land where they can be released.

Preeti - thanks. It's great you have passed on your love of animals to them!

Chaggoholic.... said...

Oooh they r soooo damn cute....

Loved them and ur post.Kp writin....

pink dogwood said...

I never thought I would love a racoon until I saw this picture. They are absolutely adorable and it is really unfortunate to hear about mother and babies being separated.

I admire what you do:)

meb said...

Love the pictures bindu... I'd take that black kitten... we have four cats already... probably not a good idea to add another. My 23year old granddaughter keeps threatening to get another cat... problem is, she's not allowed to have them in her rental, so we have one of hers already. What IS she thinking??? Smile.

bindu said...

Chaggoholic - thanks. You teach salsa! How interesting. We have taken classes and love the music.

Bhavana - thanks. I guess all babies are made super-cute for a reason. It's genetics that makes them so irresistible!

ArtPropelled said...

Oh the raccoons are so appealing. I think if we knew half the things people do to animals we would weep. You really are a star helping out Bindu.
BTW, I tagged you but now I remember you've just been tagged so not to worry.

bindu said...

Meb - is that little black & white kitten in your profile one of yours? He's cute.

Robyn - I don't do much at all. And you are so right about the things humans do to animals - just look at factory farms, and how meat is produced. It is very sad.

vinz-Q8 said...

cute kitten/cats.......its sad to say i'm allergic to them.I wish i could also have them @ my home for if i wasnt sick/allergic!

Unknown said...

Aw...those babies are all wonderful. Thanks for sharing their little faces with us.