Home > Protecting Virginia Wildlife

   Virginia is one of the country's most scenic states. The Blue Ridge Mountains, those amazing sandy beaches and several National Park Service units are all proving its uniqueness.

Shenandoah National Park lies high above the classic American panorama, 300 square miles stretched out along the crest of the Blue Ridge Mountains, a precious reminder of the great hardwood forest that once blanketed the northeastern United States. This area is full of trails for biking and hiking or even a nice drive along the Blue Ridge Mountains. And it is a perfect place for diverse natural habitat and breathtaking wildlife. You can find here some 400 species of birds, 250 species of fish, 150 species of terrestrial and marine animals, 150 species of amphibians and reptiles, and a wide variety of aquatic and terrestrial invertebrates. Not so bad.

But unfortunately, more and more species are becoming threatened or endangered. It is a global phenomenon, you think that you can't make any difference. Actually, you can. If you save only one animal, you already did a lot.

Clean air, clean water and basic needs for food: only these factors determine a habitat, the area where an organism lives. Each species of wildlife has different habitat requirements. These habitats sometimes become unable to support the needs of some species that live there. And these changes are mainly consequences of human expansion and destruction. So, we should feel a little guilty.

Of course, you are an average nature fan, can't do anything with this. But there are some small things that you can do for these animals. As a matter of fact, such bromides like 'do not litter' are very important. But it is only a passive way of protecting your environment. There are some active ways, too. And you don't have to be a Greenpeace activist.

Birdwatching is one of the most interesting things to do when you are in a forest. You could also feed birds... There are many kinds of feeds available to attract birds. You can buy mixes or single types of feeds at supermarkets, livestock feed stores, garden supply stores, or through catalogs. The particular type of mix you put out influences the number and variety of birds that will use feeding places. You can create a wildlife habitat in your yard, as well. It is a wonderful thing to see that birds come back again and again, making your garden similar to paradise.

If you go hiking regularly, you may find animals that need help. Most typical are baby squirrel, bird, opossum, rabbit or deer. If you find a baby bird, make sure that the baby really needs your help. Sometimes it is better to leave it in its parents' care. If the bird is injured (bleeding, broken bones, open wounds), take the bird to your nearest wildlife veterinarian or rehabilitator. If the bird is not injured and fully feathered, probably it won't need your help. But if you find an uninjured bird on the ground with little or no feather, you should find the nest, and put it back. If you don't find the nest, just make a substitute nest and place it where the bird was found. Go away, and watch from indoors to see if a parent returns (parents will not return if you are visible). If a parent does not visit the nest for more than half a day, contact a rehabilitator for advice.

If you find a squirrel, you also have to decide whether it is injured. If it is fully furred with its eyes opened, you can leave it alone. If the squirrel weighs between 75 and 150 grams (2.6-5.3 ounces), his tail is flat or not quite full, it still needs nursing and care from its mother. Try to locate the nest, it'll be somewhere up the trees. Or construct a temporary shelter for the baby and place it up a tree. Keep the animal warm and dry, put a cloth or towel next to it if you can. If you put it into a box, leave it open. Check back several hours later to see if the baby is still there. If the baby has not been fed or attended to for an entire day, contact a small mammal rehabilitator or wildlife veterinarian immediately.

You'll feel that you want to take home the baby, but remember that you must leave them in the wild where they belong. Raising a wild bird in captivity is illegal, too.