Georgia is fortunate as there is an abundance and variety of wildlife for citizens and visitors to enjoy. However, the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife Resources Division encourages everyone, especially children, to enjoy observing wildlife, but to never pick up or touch wildlife. Why? Because it is safer for the animal and for people - such as in the recent exposure of rabies in a coastal Georgia county where seven people are now undergoing expensive medical treatments...
Georgia is fortunate as there is an abundance and variety of wildlife for citizens and visitors to enjoy. However, the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife Resources Division encourages everyone, especially children, to enjoy observing wildlife, but to never pick up or touch wildlife. Why? Because it is safer for the animal and for people - such as in the recent exposure of rabies in a coastal Georgia county where seven people are now undergoing expensive medical treatments.
"Wildlife is wild, and is not meant to be in a home - these are not dogs, cats or other animals that have had thousands of years of domesticating,” says Game Management Assistant Chief Rusty Garrison.
“You are putting your family, neighbors and others at risk by
interacting with wildlife - especially in the cases of a diseased
animal.”
Wildlife can carry parasites such as roundworms, lice, fleas and ticks and sometimes can transmit life-threatening diseases such as rabies. The most common wildlife carriers of rabies are raccoons, skunks, bats, foxes and coyotes.
Residents who encounter a seriously injured animal or an animal that clearly has been orphaned should contact a certified wildlife rehabilitator who is licensed to provide proper care for the animal until it can be released back into the wild. Individuals who are not trained in wildlife rehabilitation should not attempt to care for wildlife. Georgia law prohibits the possession of most wildlife without a permit. A list of licensed rehabilitators can be found at www.georgiawildlife.com (select “Permits and Other Services” then “Wildlife Rehabilitator List”).
Residents who encounter an animal such as a bat, fox, skunk, raccoon, coyote or bobcat during the daytime, or one that appears to show no fear of humans or dogs, or that seems to behave in a sick or abnormal manner (i.e. weaving, drooling, etc.), should avoid the animal and contact the local county health office and/or a WRD office for guidance. The animal
may be afflicted with rabies, distemper or another disease. Residents should not attempt to feed or handle the sick animal. Pets, livestock and humans should be kept away from the area in which the animal was observed.
The two most important steps people can take to protect themselves and their pets from rabies is to 1) get pets vaccinated and 2) avoid contact with wildlife. As another precautionary step, adults should instruct children to NEVER bring wildlife home.
For more information on orphaned, injured or diseased wildlife, visit www.georgiawildlife.com, contact a local WRD Game Management Office or call (770) 918-6416. For more information on rabies, visit the Center for Disease Control website at www.cdc.gov/rabies .