
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: THURSDAY, July 13, 1995                   TAG: 9507130015
SECTION: EXTRA                    PAGE: 6   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

TAKE CARE WITH WILDLIFE

The Wildlife Center of Virginia is staffed from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays and from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekends. A veterinarian is always on call for emergencies. The number is 942-9453.

When taking an injured animal to the center, follow these guidelines:

Handle all wild animals gently and with caution. Use heavy leather gloves, or cover the animal with a towel or cloth and pick up carefully. Transport the animal in a secure box with ventilation.

Observe unattended young carefully to determine if they are truly orphaned. Mother deer temporarily abandon fawns while feeding.

Keep an orphaned or injured animal warm and quiet, and minimize its contact with humans and pets.

An animal that receives immediate professional attention has the best chance of recovery.

Suspect rabies if an adult wild mammal is unafraid of humans. Skunks and raccoons are common carriers. When infected, they often don't show signs of the disease.

by CNB