Spring is here, Don't touch that baby!

Finally, after a long, long winter, it's warm again. It's May and a lot of species are giving birth right now to young. That includes Raccoons,Skunks,Woodchucks,Fox,Rabbits and Deer to name a few. While we do not rehab animals here, I would like to offer some advice on what to do in these situations. Please note the phone numbers and links at the bottom of this post.
When you happen upon a nest of young Rabbits or a fawn spotted Deer, the temptation to try and help can be strong but stop and think first. Usually, there is no need for intervention. By removing these young from the nest or picking up and carrying a baby Deer, you will lessen it's chances for survival. The calls that come into our office are well meaning people that usually assume something has happened to the adult animal as they don't see it with the young or on the nest.
This is normal. A doe Deer or Rabbit for example is never far away and sometimes even watching you. She's not on the nest of young on purpose. A predator is more likely to spot her, a larger animal and smell her, than the young so she keeps her distance during the day, tending to them at night. Remember, these are Nocturnal animals and are normally sleeping during the day.
Another example frequently seen now is young squirrels that people assume have fallen from a nest. Again, hands off initially, and take a wait and see approach. Usually, these calls all come in to us at once and are just Squirrels leaving the nest for the first time. They are young and everything is new. They may appear in distress but it may just be a rough transition for a day or two as they figure things out. Even if the happen to be in your driveway or yard, leave them alone unless you know for a fact that the young is hurt (blood,wound etc.) or that the adult has been killed.
Mortality is more common with the young than the Adult and odds are, she is fine.
In the case of an adult Deer being struck by a car and possibility that the Doe is dead and orphaned a fawn or two, still, do not move the animal at first but instead think about who you are going to call and find those numbers. A small animal Rehabber would be the person to contact for a Rabbit or someone that is licensed to handle a Deer is needed ( and very hard to find) for that fawn. A plan has to be figured out before the animal is moved.
Rehabbers are trained and licensed in the state of CT. It takes special facility's and training to care for a young animal and not all Rehabbers can care for all species. Someone may specialize in birds while someone else may take in only small animals. Please be aware that these people are going to be very busy and you are not the only one calling them.
Here are some contact numbers and live links that may be a good place to start.

CT DEP General wildlife number ~ 860 424 3011
List of State rehabbers ~ http://www.tc.umn.edu/~devo0028/contactA.htm
List of Ct Bird Rehabbers ~ http://www.newhavenbirdclub.org/lbr.htm
Excellent list of Ct Rehabbers ~ http://wildliferehabber.com/modules/xoopsmembers/index.php