I think that one of the most important parts of wildlife rehabilitation actually has nothing to do with rehabilitation at all. I’ve seen far too many juveniles and orphaned animals come across our center’s front door, and I can’t help but agonize over what their mother must be going through.

There have been reports and documentations of raptors frantically calling for their missing young and of raccoon mothers that terrorize garages and backyards in search of their babies. Without any true form of communication, they can’t ever truly understand that their babies are safe unless they are reunited with them.

It’s largely why I decided to take an internship this summer that revolves around flagging cases in which the orphans might be able to be returned to their family. It involves a lot of Google mapping, a lot of correspondence with members of the public and quite a bit of hope. We do our best to give our patients the best shot possible at a healthy life in the wild, but unfortunately their best chance of success lies in being raised with their mother. As much as possible, it is our job to prevent the kidnapping of animals who aren’t actually in distress. This involves educating the public, responding to phone calls and reunites -- when possible.

Which is why I’m asking anyone and everyone reading this to please refrain from using fireworks this Fourth of July. Loud and frightening explosives can cause animals to leave their homes out of fear. The vibrations and bright lights can disorient them to the point where they are unable to locate their burrow, or in a mother’s case––her babies. Every year conservationists wake up on the Fifth worried about the animals they have been tracking and year after year, many were unable to return home. Because fireworks are typically brief and only happen a few times a year, animals have not developed an immunity to them. This is evident in countless domestic dogs that are sent into a panic after firetruck sirens or thunder. They don’t experience them to be able to disregard the noise. For wild animals, they truly have no sense of what is happening other than an instinct to escape the explosions. Animals of all kinds have considerably more sensitive ears than we do and are much more affected by the noise. This can cause ear damage or deafness. Wildlife is susceptible to injury or disease from smoke, the release of chemicals or possible fires, and we have no way to locate and rescue those who are affected.

I urge you to consider purchasing handheld sparklers instead of small scale fireworks. I urge you to refrain from attending fireworks shows and even to call your county officials and express sentiments against these displays. The Fourth of July represents our independence and our country’s unique ability to band together in times of great stress, but we must take into account that we are not the only ones living across this beautiful nation. Board games, sports, good food and music are adequate substitutions for the explosive entertainment that so many feel is crucial to the upcoming holiday. Please take your local wildlife into account when making your plans for the Fourth of July. The critters and I thank you for reading and wish you a very happy holiday.