What do I do if I see a baby quail without its family? Quail have adapted to life amongst humans. Nesting in flowerpots, planters or the bushes in your yard. Chances are, you’ve seen them. Often, babies get separated from the family and well-meaning people bring them to us. Before you bring a quail in, observe it for the following: Is it wounded? Is it laying on its side? Is a leg or wing splayed out? Is it panting? If so, call us. If not, it’s displaying natural behavior. When babies get separated from their family, they sit down and stay put. They are waiting for the family to come back for it. It might take hours. Quail are skittish birds and when panicked, they will flee, and it may take a long time for them to return. But 99% of the time, they will come back! If you see a baby that appears to be abandoned, chances are it’s not. Give the family a chance to return, by monitoring it from a safe distance. It will take longer for the parents to return if they feel threatened by people or pets. Quail are precocial animals, meaning they can feed themselves and move independently almost immediately after hatching. TWC Tip: If you are aware of a nest in a tall flowerpot or planter, you can help the babies safely descend when it is time by cushioning their fall with a towel around the base. #tucsonwildlifecenter#wildliferehabber#tucsonnativewildlife#tucsonanimals#AZnativeanimals#wildliferehabilitation (fb)

PATIENT OF THE WEEK 05/16/25 Mother’s Day Miracle Recently, a mother Desert Cottontail was brought to Tucson Wildlife Center after being hit by a car and dragged a short distance. She arrived in critical condition—suffering from road rash on her left leg and back, a corneal ulcer in one eye, a ruptured eardrum, pulmonary contusions, and head trauma. She was lactating, but sadly, no babies were found nearby—our hope is they are old enough to survive on their own. Thanks to the quick actions of a compassionate finder and our dedicated wildlife care team, this brave mom began to stabilize within a few days. Then, on Mother’s Day, something extraordinary happened—two tiny, 3- to 4-day-old orphaned cottontail siblings were brought to the Center after their nest was destroyed. Our vet saw a unique opportunity: with the mother bunny recovering and still producing milk, could she accept these orphaned kits as her own? Without hesitation, she did! The little ones nestled right in, and she began nursing them immediately. It was a beautiful and instant bond—one that helps the mother emotionally as she continues to recover physically and gives the kits the best chance at thriving and growing up wild. This pairing was especially significant because newborn Desert Cottontails at this age have very poor survival rates on specialized formula alone. Their gastrointestinal tracts are not fully developed, and replacement formulas—even the best available—cannot replicate the vital immune and microbiome components of their mother’s milk. While older infants may do well on formula, neonates like these have a much better chance when raised by a nursing mother. If you would like to help patients like these Desert Cottontails, click this link to donate, https://give-usa.keela.co/twc-donation-form. Another way you can contribute is to visit our “wish list” on Amazon by using the following link, https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/1Z0GXJXQ5KICS/ref=hz_ls_biz_ex?pldnSite=1 or on Chewy at https://www.chewy.com/g/tucson-wildlife-center_b137699594#wish-list&wishlistsortby=DEFAULT . We appreciate it, as will all the wild animals in our care! #tucsonwildlifecenter#wildliferehabber#tucsonnativewildlife#tucsonanimals#AZnativeanimals#wildliferehabilitation (fb)