rescueing a momma

[Rescue04]

I have one chance guys, we have have momma squirrel at work - with babies that has made a home in an old A/C duct. The company wants to call out Massey services, but they have a imediate euthanization policy on property. I need any tricks/tips/advise on how to safely catch her. Once I get her I will get the babies. My goal was to bring her home and release her when the babies are big enough. Unless you guys can give me a trick to make her move herself & the babies.

It is my Friday tonight, and this is my only shot at it. I have gotten permission to remove her, but I do not relish scaring her off just to get the babies. I can tell they are not pinkies, but by the sounds - still have eyes closed. I am packing a haveahaeart, transport, nut goodies & rice buddies. I have a habitat she can use till they can all be released - plenty of room & food, if I can get her in it.

I tried to give her a hint to move her & her babies, but I doubt she will take the hint.

[astra]

I have one chance guys, we have have momma squirrel at work - with babies that has made a home in an old A/C duct. The company wants to call out Massey services, but they have a imediate euthanization policy on property. I need any tricks/tips/advise on how to safely catch her. Once I get her I will get the babies. My goal was to bring her home and release her when the babies are big enough. Unless you guys can give me a trick to make her move herself & the babies.

It is my Friday tonight, and this is my only shot at it. I have gotten permission to remove her, but I do not relish scaring her off just to get the babies. I can tell they are not pinkies, but by the sounds - still have eyes closed. I am packing a haveahaeart, transport, nut goodies & rice buddies. I have a habitat she can use till they can all be released - plenty of room & food, if I can get her in it.

I tried to give her a hint to move her & her babies, but I doubt she will take the hint.

Gosh, what a situation...

I hope people will pitch in with their ideas...

I just think that it is very hard to make momma move with the babies.
Usually, to make someone move you have to make them very uncomfortable in the place, feeling unsafe etc etc etc.
But very often, when scared or disturbed, mommas flee leaving the babies behind (survival instincts). Not always, but happens often enough.

So, I don't know what to say...

As for capturing her and then, getting the babies - this might be a better plan. Is there a way to set up a hav-a-hart trap?...

Hope, someone who has experience with this kind of stuff will share (would love to know myself)

[Jackie in Tampa]

flex duct or sheet metal?

[gs1]

i have no idea but i'll send prayers for you .... is it tonight that you are trying to trap her? or next friday?

:grouphug

[rozdow]

Once rescued, be careful about reuniting momma & babies (under extreme stress, mothers can kill the babies).

[Rescue04]

Heavy metal duct, wrapped in insulation. The problem is she ahs made her nest in the motor fan shroud. When I tapped on it last night she popped out and kept coming back, I could almost touch her, but I feared rivers over blood without my gear (I did not have my truck w/the trapping stuff).

[Rescue04]

tonight

[gs1]

since i'm not mechanical at all ... i'm thinking the duct is a metal tube?(edit: scratch that i just read your description).:grouphug

so i'd close the end that she can escape further into the building and also the other end as well ... immediately ...both at the same time.....and just transport her in that ... but it's a two people job.... at least and both ends have to be really stuffed well in order for there to be no escape possible for the momma.

maybe your company will want to be reimbursed too for the damage to the vent.

i think your plan of release at your home is excellent ....

maybe you have co workers who are willing to help?

ps: when people are trying to capture domestic rabbits that have escaped and adapted to living wild they use a large net to surround the rabbits and just draw the net closer and closer to them to make escape impossible and catching easier.....

i'm thinking if she's in a difficult area maybe you could net the area too?

:grouphug

[gs1]

if massey is called how do they get them out?

and if you are there to take them - they won't give them to you?

i'm sure no one would want to kill if there is a home available to them far away? it's just bad public relations too.

praying for compassionate people to help you.:grouphug

[Rescue04]

Good thought on the net, I will throw it in too. I have one I can sacrifice, if she tears it up.

[Jackie in Tampa]

greys or flyers?
wish you had an extra day..
playing loud music will drive her out, usually they do have back up nests, but maybe not if in a building...
if they are greys..you need to do at night, hanging a box outside on the eaves would be cherry, but it sounds like they want them gone now..
I know she would leave if you end up with only the babies..
hey, you with the bbabies and her freedom, is better than a total loss.
Good luck Brian
take a net.

[gs1]

it has to be small enough for her not to get through and maybe throw a box over her while she's in the net... i'm sorry i think the net will be sacrificed....

[virgo062]

If she is in a old duct why does she have to move right now?:thinking

[Skul]

Sounds like capturing the female, then removing the babes would be the best alternative. Placing the babes in a seperate cage next to the mothers, for a short time would allow her to settle down before puting them together again.
I might suggest calling the Massey office, and talk them about letting you take them after they capture.
Won't know unless you ask. Thay may be receptive to the idea,

[gs1]

i'll be thinking of you tonight:grouphug :grouphug :grouphug

[Rescue04]

Yea, unfortuntely it is just the policy (contractual), and I know the tech personally. He and I have worked things out before when "no one" was looking. The problem, is that she is tearing things up. I will have her move one way or another. If it means taking the babies (whick I don't want to do), I will to keep her from stressing out. Wish me luck.

[UDoWhat]

Yea, unfortuntely it is just the policy (contractual), and I know the tech personally. He and I have worked things out before when "no one" was looking. The problem, is that she is tearing things up. I will have her move one way or another. If it means taking the babies (whick I don't want to do), I will to keep her from stressing out. Wish me luck.

Praying for a safe removal of the Mom and babies. You are an angel :Love_Icon

Marty

[gs1]

:grouphug still hoping & praying....:grouphug

[Rescue04]

So I can not give toomany details about how it happened, but momma and babies have been safely moved, no blood was shed and she will have plenty of water & food to choose from.......it only cost me a pillow case, which she used to make her new nest. It took a small team ovf volunteers and one friendly mama coorperating well.

[Cleo_13]

Great news!:thumbsup

[gs1]

So I can not give toomany details about how it happened, but momma and babies have been safely moved, no blood was shed and she will have plenty of water & food to choose from.......it only cost me a pillow case, which she used to make her new nest. It took a small team ovf volunteers and one friendly mama coorperating well.



:thumbsup :thumbsup :thumbsup
:fireworks :fireworks :fireworks :fireworks :fireworks


:bowdown :bowdown :bowdown :bowdown :bowdown :bowdown :bowdown :bowdown :bowdown

[gs1]

um....that is so wierd .... "one friendly mama cooperating well" .... it's so unexpected!!!:)

[Sweet Simon's Mommy]

So glad to hear a happy ending!!:thumbsup

[yoyo]

I am glad that mom stayed with babies, thanks for helping them. I was worry about them all.:rotfl God bless them all

[Skul]

Cool. A happy ending.:)

[Chickenlegs]

THIS is the sort of story I'd love to see in the paper every now and again. I do get tired of politiks, war, terorism, greed, murder and all the other inhumanity to man. Good to hear of some humanity to squirrel! :thankyou

[madtowntom]

Congratulations - saving orphaned babies is really cool but being able to save a mother with babies has got to be particularly rewarding - excellent work!

[quagmire]

Great JOB!!!!!!! :thumbsup :bowdown

[SammysMom]

You are AWESOME!!! :bowdown :bowdown :bowdown