orphaned bunnies?

[cookaholicwife]

Is there any way to know if bunnies are orphaned? My coworker has two tiny babies living under a bush in his front garden. He's never seen the mother and the bush is so dense/sharp/thick he can't tell how they're doing.

He's leaving carrots and lettuce out for them but doesn't know if they'll make it or not. Any ideas?

[josieposy]

I used to volunteer for wildlife rehab. The best thing to do is leave them alone. Chances are that mom is around, but he's just not seeing her. Keep pets/kids/etc. away from the area as much as possible. If any appear to be injured you can call your local wildlife rehabilitator. Many are listed at wildliferehabber.org

[bunnysmom]

Jul 19, 2012 8:13:56 GMT -5 josieposy said:

I used to volunteer for wildlife rehab. The best thing to do is leave them alone. Chances are that mom is around, but he's just not seeing her. Keep pets/kids/etc. away from the area as much as possible. If any appear to be injured you can call your local wildlife rehabilitator. Many are listed at wildliferehabber.org

This!

Also, tell her not to give them lettuce because it can cause diarrhea, which is very dangerous for baby bunnies. If she wants to feed them, hay would be a better option.

[dirtyred]

Mother rabbits visit the babies AT MOST twice a day--this is actually safer for them as their scent isn't strong and the mother's is, meaning if she were around the babies more, a predator would be more likely to find them based on her scent.

It's perfectly normal and he doesn't need to feed them.

Signed, former wildlife rescue worker

P.S.-- baby bunny calls make up 90% of the calls we got.

[bookbunny]

Ditto PPs. Chances are, the Mama bunny is around, and just staying away to protect the little ones.