California Wildlife Rescue Centers Inundated with Baby Animals After April Storms

Wildlife rescue centers across California are experiencing a surge in baby animal rescues following a series of powerful atmospheric river storms that battered the state in April 2024. The late-season storms disrupted the habitats of many animals, leading to an influx of orphaned or displaced baby animals being brought to these centers for care and rehabilitation.

The WildCare Wildlife Hospital and Rehabilitation Center in San Rafael has seen a significant increase in patients, with the baby season running about a month late this year due to the storms. On a single day last Thursday, the hospital took in 34 patients, including 15 starlings from the same nest. Between March and August, WildCare typically sees 60-70% of their annual 3,500 patients, with the general public contributing 80% of the animals brought in for care.

Recent cases at WildCare include the rescue of three great horned owlets affected by a late-season storm. The center has a team of volunteers who scout locations, find nests, and work with arborists to safely retrieve and reunite baby animals with their parents whenever possible. "Our goal is to provide injured or orphaned animals with a second chance at life in the wild by correcting the harm done to them," said Alison Hermance, Director of Communications at WildCare.

Why this matters: The surge in baby animal rescues highlights the vulnerability of wildlife populations to extreme weather events and the critical role that rescue centers play in their conservation and welfare. As climate change continues to impact ecosystems, the demand for wildlife rehabilitation services is likely to increase, underscoring the need for greater support and resources for these organizations.

Wildlife rescue centers take great care to minimize human interaction and ensure that the animals can be raised and trained by their own wild parents. Staff and volunteers use specialized techniques, such as wearing camouflage suits and using taxidermied animals, to avoid habituating the animals to humans. The ultimate goal is to rehabilitate the animals and release them back into the wild, where they can thrive on their own. WildCare advises individuals who find injured or abandoned animals to contact a wildlife rehabilitator rather than approaching or picking up the animal, as feeding an injured animal the wrong food can be fatal.

Key Takeaways

• Wildlife rescue centers in CA see surge in baby animal rescues after storms.
• WildCare Hospital took in 34 patients in a single day, including 15 starlings.
• Rescue centers aim to rehabilitate animals and release them back into the wild.
• Extreme weather events increase demand for wildlife rehabilitation services.
• Public advised to contact rehabilitators rather than approach injured/abandoned animals.