OUTER BANKS WILDLIFE SHELTER LINDA BERGMAN–ALTHOUSE
Raccoons,
I
t has been a very long time coming for North Carolina, but the Wildlife Resources Commission in Raleigh recently authorized our state’s wildlife rehabilitators to medically treat and rehabilitate raccoons, bats, fox and bobcats (and oh yes, skunks—but we just don’t have skunks on the coast).
BIG EXCITING NEWS This is very big news and in turn, calls for some big changes for individual wildlife rehabilitators and all wildlife shelters across the state. North Carolina Wildlife rehabilitators have been scrambling since last fall to meet the eligibility criteria set forth by the commission to achieve this special permit from the state. Not all rehabilitators will choose to take this path, but some will, and we won’t have to turn these animals away when they are injured or orphaned as we were required to do in the past.
THERE ARE RISKS There is a risk associated with working with these species because within this group a slight possibility to carry the rabies virus exists. Most of these animals do not harbor the disease, but we must err on the side of caution and be very, very careful. Wildlife rehabilitators working with these animals are required to take the rabies vaccine series and routinely have their blood checked for rabies antibodies.
BE CAREFUL! The public must be very, very careful, too, when coming across an orphaned, sick or injured raccoon, bat, fox or bobcat. Do not touch any of these animals with your bare hands. Besides bare hands, other circumstances that are not safe for you
14 CAROLINA SALT March / April 2020 » CarolinaSalt.com
