There’s nothing worse than the sinking feeling of coming across an orphaned or injured rabbit, raccoon or other woodland creature… especially because most rehab centers won’t take them on. Enter Samantha Wolfe and Justin Grubb, co-founders of Sleeping Bear Wildlife Fund in Beulah.
Their mission is to provide a lifeline for injured or orphaned wildlife - anything from opossums to porcupines to bunnies. And while they don’t intervene in cases where animals become sick or injured through natural processes, they do step in when wildlife collides with humans, or their pets, cars or windows. You can watch some of their wildlife release videos here for some warm and fuzzies (literally!).
SBWF is only permitted to care for small mammals, raptors, and non-migratory birds right now – (think squirrels, opossums, hawks, owls and falcons) – but cannot take songbirds, waterfowl, raccoons or larger mammals like deer just yet. However, they can often connect spur-of-the-moment-rescuers with the appropriate facility, help arrange transport, or otherwise help resolve the situation. If you’ve found a little guy in duress, visit their “I Found an Animal” page (and see tips listed below!).
SBWF takes a three-legged approach with programs built for rehabilitation, restoration and education. All three ultimately center on minimizing human-wildlife interaction and creating more harmony in the Sleeping Bear area ecosystem. They say that most of their calls stem from wildlife being injured by pets, and they offer some quick tips on preventing disaster before it strikes:
- Keep your cat indoors
- Keep your dog leashed while on local trails
- Check before you mow your lawn
- Secure the lids on garbage containers when placed outside
- Do not intentionally feed wildlife
- Use bird deterrent stickers on large glass windows
- Use passive and behavioral methods to remove nuisance wildlife
They also offer restoration programs, including nesting habitat for local bluebirds. You can donate $250 to sponsor a bluebird. Each box is built with a camera inside. Check out these camera-worthy moments on their website, along with information on the program.
Here are other tips and ways to further SBWF mission and help the wild rascals that make Leelanau County so special:
What to do if you’ve found an animal
- If you see an animal that you believe needs help, please stop and observe the animal from a distance. Try to minimize your movements so you are not stressing the animal. Watch the animal for at least 10 minutes, in most cases, the animal may be in a situation it can work itself out of on its own. In other cases, the parents of that animal may come back during that time. If you observe the animal and still believe it needs help, please call Sleeping Bear Wildlife Fund at 231-590-8639. Also get a picture to text, too, if you can.
- If you have not captured it, keep an eye on the area to be sure the scene is safe for the animal. Keep pets leashed or indoors, and keep children and interested adults at a safe distance. Consider capture using a towel, gloves, or a box, depending on what the situation calls for. SBWF will give ideas for more interactions over the phone.
- If you have captured the animal, start by isolating it in a cardboard box. Keep it in a dark, quiet area. Do not let anyone (children or adults) hold it or talk to it. Keep pets away from the area. Imagine if you were suddenly being held by a giant creature, loudly speaking another language! Wild animals are not like our pets and are not comforted by stroking or cooing. Leaving them as alone as possible is their best chance for survival.
- Jump on the SBWF website for many more tips on deciding if you should get involved and how.
Tips to prevent birds from colliding with your windows:
- Apply decals or stickers to the glass, spaced closely together, to break up reflections and make the window more visible to birds.
- Install external screens or netting to help create a barrier.
- Use window films or patterned glass to disrupt reflections.
- Close curtains or blinds when not in use.
Donation ideas:
- heating pads
- bottle warmers
- cleaning supplies (especially paper towels, nitrile gloves, and trash bags)
- newspapers
Bigger items include:
- a 10x12’ or larger shed (with a window)
- a refrigerator, freezer, or both (small or full-sized)
- an incubator
- Donations are accepted through PayPal and via check. They are a 501(c)3 nonprofit and all donations are tax-deductible.
Volunteers help with:
- animal care
- cleaning
- building enclosures
- administrative tasks
- Email hello@sleepingbearwildlife.org for more info.
And, finally, a great article from SBWF on “How to co-exist with raccoons!” Enjoy!
