Young Wildlife: Squirrels, Rabbits, Hares and Other Mammals
Found a baby wild animal?
Finding a young mammal alone can be worrying, particularly if it appears small, helpless or separated from its mother. However, many wild mammals spend periods away from their parents as part of their normal development.
A young animal found alone is not automatically orphaned and may not need rescuing. Unnecessary intervention can separate healthy young from their parents, cause significant stress and reduce their chances of survival.
The correct response depends on the species, the animal's age and condition, and the circumstances in which it was found.
At CapesWildlifeRescue, we encourage members of the public to observe from a safe distance and seek advice before handling or moving young wildlife.
1. Young squirrels
Young squirrels may be found on the ground after falling from a nest, following damage to a tree, or while learning to move independently.
A healthy young squirrel may be reunited with its mother in suitable circumstances, but an animal that is cold, injured, weak or in immediate danger may need urgent professional assistance.
What should I do if I find a baby squirrel?
Keep people and pets away.
Observe from a distance to see whether the mother is nearby.
Do not repeatedly handle the squirrel or take it home unnecessarily.
If it is injured, cold, weak or has been caught by a cat or dog, seek prompt professional advice.
Do not attempt to feed it cow's milk, infant formula or other unsuitable foods.
If a squirrel has fallen from a nest, a wildlife rescue or appropriately qualified professional can advise whether reunion is possible and safe.
Important: Grey squirrels and the law
CapesWildlifeRescue does not admit grey squirrels. We cannot offer rehabilitation or take grey squirrels into our care.
Grey squirrels (Sciurus carolinensis) are a non-native invasive species in Great Britain and are subject to specific legal restrictions. Under the Invasive Alien Species (Enforcement and Permitting) Order 2019, it is generally an offence to release a grey squirrel into the wild or allow one to escape. Keeping, transporting and dealing with grey squirrels may also be subject to legal restrictions and applicable exceptions.
The legal position is not the same as for native red squirrels. Members of the public should not assume that a grey squirrel can be rescued, rehabilitated and released in the same way as other wildlife.
If you find a grey squirrel that appears injured or orphaned:
Do not release it into the wild.
Do not take it home, transport it or attempt to keep it as a pet without first establishing what the law permits.
Contact an appropriate veterinary professional or relevant wildlife authority for advice on lawful next steps.
Explain that the animal is a grey squirrel and describe its condition and location.
We appreciate that finding an injured or orphaned animal can be upsetting. However, our policy is not to admit grey squirrels, and we cannot arrange their rehabilitation or release.
Please contact us before travelling with any wild mammal. Grey squirrels will not be accepted for admission.
2. Young rabbits
Wild rabbit kittens are born in underground burrows or shallow nesting areas, often lined with grass and fur. Their mother usually visits the nest briefly to feed them, commonly around dawn and dusk.
This means that the mother may be absent for much of the day. Her absence does not necessarily mean the young have been abandoned.
How can I tell whether a baby rabbit needs help?
Young rabbits that are still dependent on their mother may have closed eyes, little fur or limited mobility. As they grow, they become increasingly active and may begin exploring away from the nest.
A young rabbit may need professional help if it:
Has visible injuries or bleeding.
Is cold, weak or unresponsive.
Has been caught by a cat or dog.
Is covered in fly eggs or maggots.
Has been displaced following destruction of its nest.
Is clearly unable to move normally or is in immediate danger.
What should I do?
If you find a young rabbit near a nest, keep your distance and prevent pets from approaching.
Do not dig into a burrow, dismantle a nest or move healthy young simply because the mother is not visible. If a nest has been disturbed, contact a wildlife rescue for advice on whether it can be safely restored.
If the rabbit is injured or compromised, seek prompt professional assistance.
3. Young hares and leverets
Baby hares are known as leverets. Unlike rabbits, they are born above ground, fully furred and with their eyes open.
A mother hare generally leaves her leverets hidden in separate resting places and returns to feed them. She does not remain beside them throughout the day.
A lone leveret sitting quietly in grass is often behaving normally.
Should I rescue a leveret?
Usually, no — provided it appears healthy, is uninjured and is in a safe location.
A leveret may remain still when approached because remaining hidden is an important defence against predators. Picking it up unnecessarily can cause considerable stress.
Seek advice if the leveret:
Is injured or bleeding.
Is cold, weak or unable to move normally.
Has been caught by a cat or dog.
Is covered in fly eggs or maggots.
Is in immediate danger from machinery, traffic or other hazards.
Has clearly lost its ability to remain upright or respond normally.
If a leveret is found in a dangerous location, contact a wildlife rescue before moving it, unless immediate action is essential to prevent harm.
Never assume a leveret is abandoned simply because its mother is not present.
4. Other young wild mammals
Different mammals have different parenting behaviours, so it is important to identify the species before intervening.
Hedgehogs
Young hedgehogs may become separated from their mother or be found outside the nest. A small hedgehog is not automatically orphaned, but one that is cold, weak, injured or displaying abnormal behaviour may need assessment.
Please see our separate advice page on hedgehogs and contact a wildlife rescue if you are concerned.
Fox cubs
Fox cubs may explore around their den as they grow. A cub seen alone is not necessarily abandoned, and the adults may be nearby.
Do not attempt to capture a healthy cub or remove it from its territory. If it is injured, trapped, visibly unwell or in immediate danger, contact a suitable wildlife rescue for advice.
Deer fawns
Young deer may lie quietly in vegetation while their mother feeds elsewhere. This is normal behaviour and helps them avoid attracting attention.
Do not touch, move or repeatedly approach a fawn simply because it is alone. Keep dogs away and leave the area.
If a fawn is visibly injured, has been attacked by a dog or is in immediate danger, seek advice from an appropriate deer rescue or veterinary professional.
Other small mammals
Dormice, voles, mice and other small mammals have species-specific needs. Some may be dependent on a nest, while others become independent relatively quickly.
If you cannot identify the animal or are unsure whether it needs help, take a photograph from a safe distance and contact a suitable wildlife rescue for advice.
CapesWildlifeRescue can only consider admissions for species we accept and where appropriate facilities and capacity are available.
5. What should I do if a young mammal is injured?
If an animal is bleeding, struggling to move, unusually weak, covered in maggots or visibly distressed, seek professional advice promptly.
Keep children, pets and unnecessary observers away.
Avoid chasing, repeatedly handling or surrounding the animal.
If it is in immediate danger and safe to approach, follow professional advice about temporary containment.
Do not give food, milk, water by syringe or medication unless specifically instructed by a qualified professional.
Contact a wildlife rescue or veterinary practice and explain the species, location and observed signs.
Young mammals can deteriorate quickly, and inappropriate feeding or handling may make their condition worse.
What if a cat or dog has caught it?
Seek prompt professional advice, even if the animal has no obvious wounds. Punctures and crushing injuries can be difficult to identify, and contamination from an animal bite can lead to serious complications.
Do not wait for symptoms to develop before seeking help.
6. Why you should not feed young wildlife yourself
Young mammals often require specialised feeding methods and species-appropriate nutrition. Incorrect milk, unsuitable food, overfeeding or improper feeding technique can cause digestive problems, aspiration and potentially fatal complications.
Please do not:
Give cow's milk or human infant formula.
Force-feed an animal or syringe water into its mouth.
Give human medicines or leftover veterinary medication.
Attempt to hand-rear wildlife without appropriate training and professional guidance.
The first priority is to determine whether the animal genuinely needs intervention and to obtain advice on the safest next steps.
7. Can CapesWildlifeRescue help?
CapesWildlifeRescue admits selected wild mammals, including certain small mammals and hedgehogs, subject to our facilities, species policy and current capacity.
We do not admit large mammals for long-term rehabilitation and may refer these cases to an appropriate specialist rescue.
We do not admit grey squirrels under any circumstances. Grey squirrels are subject to specific legal restrictions, and we cannot offer them rehabilitation, long-term care or release.
Please contact us before bringing any animal to the rescue. All admissions must be discussed and authorised in advance.
When contacting us, please provide:
The species, if known.
Where the animal was found.
Its approximate size and apparent age.
Whether it is injured, cold, weak or behaving abnormally.
Whether its mother or other adults have been seen nearby.
Whether it has been caught by a cat or dog.
A photograph taken from a safe distance, if available.
If we cannot accept the animal, we will explain this and, where possible, advise you on a suitable next step.
The most important thing to remember
A young animal found alone is not always abandoned. Rabbits may leave their young in a nest while feeding elsewhere, leverets naturally rest alone, and other mammals may be exploring while their parents remain nearby.
Observe from a distance, keep pets away and seek advice if the animal appears injured, weak or genuinely vulnerable.
Please do not assume that every baby wild animal needs rescuing — and never assume that a grey squirrel can be rehabilitated and released like other wildlife.