This morning, after doing my morning feeding, I had to work on clearing out the hay loft. I am throwing the hay bales down into the hay room and cleaning the loft to prepare for the new hay. The hay was stacked up there two deep and when I got the first row thrown down, I saw what I thought were two kittens. I picked them up to move them so the mama would take care of them, and there was two tiny raccoons in my hands. I knew the mama would not accept them now that I had handled them and the barn cats might kill them. So, I brought them home and put them in a box with a blanket. We were spending the whole day splitting wood today, and Liz, the owners daughter was coming to help. She is a wildlife rehabilitater, and Judy called and told her about my find. Liz said she would take them. I was so thrilled, because Zoomer said if she didn't, we would have to put them out in the woods and they would never survive. They are only 3 weeks old, and their eyes aren't open yet.
I got to feed them today while Liz worked on splitting wood. There is a male and a female. The male is real calm and the female screamed a lot. Liz, who has raised a lot of baby coons, said the females are always more active and louder.
I wish I could raise them. It would be so cool, even knowing they would have to be released back into the wild. She says she teaches them to wash their food in creeks and how to find food, then at six months she has to release them. She says it breaks her heart because she has to chase them off and make them afraid of her, or they would just walk up to any human. She doesn't like that part, and neither would I.
Aren't they just the cutest little darlings.
AW sweet Cat,, baby coons, I've raised baby coons and wild rabbits and skunks too in my time and yep returning them back to the wild isn't easy, but it's the best thing for them. Best of luck for their continued care and growth,,sweet part of Mother natures babies. BB, TC
ReplyDeleteVery cute Cat, thanks for sharing...KIII
ReplyDeleteCat, they are so precious. a few years back in the fall, there was the strangest noise coming from a tree in my yard. It went on all day and try as I might, I could not locate the source. I continued to 'check' throughout the day and then it just stopped. I knew something had happened. I carefully approached the tree, and there laying in the grass was a tiny squirrel. As soon as I put my hand down to scoop it up, the little dear just fell against my hand. Like it was so relieved to see me. It was magic. Poor little thing was just exhausted. We nursed it through the weekend feeding it a sugar water base and I picked off all his (her?) fleas. I had no idea squirrels are infested with them. Yuk. I was able to locate a wildlife rehabilitator who would keep him through the winter and release him in the Spring. I hope your little 'coons grow strong and live long. thanks for caring about them!
ReplyDeleteTHey are so cute. I'm glad you found a rehabber to take them.
ReplyDeleteAawww...so cute. I showed my son and he thought they were so cute too...hehehe It would be interesting to raise an animal like that. By the way, I liked feeding your fish at the bottom of the page...
ReplyDeleteThese little sweet babies are so adorable! Isn't it a shame that we need to teach them to fear humans?
ReplyDelete