Rehabbing in Indonesia - crazy?

[harimau]

I have a bad habit of being long winded, so questions first, details after...

1. Given my situation, should I start studying to become a rehabber, or is that totally crazy, or do I need to put more thought in first?
2. What do I need to consider that I might not have thought of?
3. What can I study that will help?

Details...

I live in Bali, Indonesia. Have done for 5 years. Not leaving! I recently ended up with a plantain squirrel, mucked it up and probably have a new pet. Oops. He's healthy and happy though and now that I know how utterly wonderful they are I want to help more Bali squirrels in the future, the right way.

Here's the thing. There are no rehabbers here. Lots of squirrels though. Mostly plantains but also giant blacks. There's one rehab centre but it's for endangered species only. They take only 10 animals each year and don't answer emails or phone calls. There's no licencing here. You don't even need a licence or education to be a vet or electrician. You just print a business card and tell your friends. Just the same, it seems like if you want to help animals you need to know how to do it properly first.

In certain areas (it's village specific and more common in rural areas but not exclusively) squirrels are hunted for food. There are no laws against this. It's obvious that wherever this goes on there will be orphaned babies and my Balinese landlord recently told me a horror story about a grown squirrel kept in a small dark box and fed lettuce and meatballs until it died.

If I put the word around that I will care for babies I'm sure that the basically kind and decent locals will bring orphans to me (and word of mouth spreads faster than lightning here), but I don't know if that's the right thing to do.

An honest account of for and against as I see it:

In our new house we will have the facilities to slow release squirrels and I'm certain given time I can find a release site on a large property where they won't be shot.
My husband and I might be the only chance they have.
Together we have a fair bit of time on our hands
We have no winters or laws to worry about

On the other hand:
I'm a sook and find animal suffering hard to bear and can be overly gentle when firmness is required (my husband is better but still a softie)
We have no experience other than the one squirrel and didn't get that right
We have two cats
If people hear I care for squirrels I may end up with bats, birds and monkeys too - differentiation not being a strong suit for most locals.

Obviously we wouldn't do this right away. We don't move for another 6 weeks and everyone will need to get used to the new environment. I would have time to learn more and get prepared.

So, crazy idea? I believe if you care, you pitch in and help, but I don't want to be responsible for squirrel tragedy, and it wouldn't be fair to Naiki, cats or husband to end up with more pets

[czarina]

If you do take this on, you would need actual cages, and lots of them.
Also, I believe you are correct when assuming that the locals will bring
you many other types of animals. You would either need to study about
the local wildlife, or refuse to take it, which I think would be very hard to
do. Perhaps PM Stosh and get his input, and what he does if locals bring
him other species.
Also, consider the time and expense and if in your heart, you think this is the
right thing to do.
I'd also make friends with a real vet, not just the card carrying kind!:grin3

[harimau]

236806

236805

Thanks for your quick response czarina! :grin2

In my heart? Well, I think it's honestly a wee bit crazy to take on anything that requires this level of commitment. But with all things you get out what you put in. There is no real achievement (or even love) without hard work and sacrifice.

On the practical side of things I think it is scary but not impossible

Cages...

This is the type of cage we would use for squirrels until they were weaned. We've worked out how to install breadboard levels in them, and they fit boxes and hammocks. It cost $50 but that was "first price" at a swanky shop. I think I could get a bunch of them at a cheaper per unit price.

I have designed a local appropriate cage for my squirrel in sketch up. I will see if I can export the plan to show you. It's 4x4 x 8 feet high, made from local bamboo (very, very big bamboo) and bird mesh with a bamboo floor. We will install ledges, hammocks and boxes inside and potted trees we can take out when they get too big (trees grow very fast in this climate).

For Naiki this will be installed 1m from our bedroom window with a run made from bamboo rings and material (probably parachute silk, still working on that part) into our bedroom window to a smaller cage of same materials on a stand. It's the tropics and our house part of a family compound, so the windows are never closed.

This is costing $250 to have made by an experienced carpenter. I could fit two or three more of these without the runs in my yard. It would be cheaper without the extras. Would I need more?

Vitamins will be expensive but I can buy more fruit and veg than I can carry for under $10 at the markets.

The additional species are a big worry though. 17% of dogs here carry rabies and a growing number of monkeys and bats. It would be bad crazy to take those on.

The other pic is of a little bat who landed on me when I was watching TV the other night. At the time I was only concerned about his safety, but later realised I shouldn't have been handling it.

I have heard there are more good vets where we are moving than where we are now. I will contact some to see if any will treat squirrels (that could be problematic)

I will think more on what you have said. The most compelling thing for me is that there is noone else to do it, but maybe that's not a good reason.

[czarina]

Bats are so cute and interesting. They are the only species that actually, hands on will help other bats give birth! Can you imaginr, a little crew of bat midwives, alll hanging upside down, helping the
laboring mother!

I watched a documentary, from Australia, about a bat rehabber/nursery, it was fascinating, those bats were sooo cute. They were just hanging all over the womans shirt.

That being said, if rabid bats are a problem, I don't think I would like them coming into my house and landing on me! Does that happen often?:eek:eek:eek:eek:eek:eek

Also, I think I would have a pretty hard time turnong away a baby monkey.:monkey:monkey:monkey:monkey:monkey:monkey: monkey:monkey:monkey

Your squirrels must not chew wood, as much as America's squirrels. I remember you saying how
small your baby's teeth were, so I guess you won't have to worry about them chewing through the bamboo cages.

I would really try to chum up with a vet, there is so much valuable information to be gained. Not to mention, there will be things you'll need assistance with, like dental problems and access to medications, or can you buy them there without a prescription?

It is very sad that there are no rehabbers there, but suspect that once you get into it, you will start finding others like yourself that are doing it. The world is filled with many animal lovers, so you might actually find a little network there.

I think the key is to find the right vet, who is interested in wildlife and will help you.

[harimau]

Little bats are gorgeous. This one was so light it was like a butterfly landing on me. Not clear if it was a baby or tiny adult. Apparently babies don't have too much fur and this guy had a thick coat. Little bat midwives! Animals are astounding.

No! It was definitely the first and only time a bad has wanted to nap on me. I assume it was sick? I took him outside and locked up the cats and after a couple of hours he flew away. We get them in the house fairly regularly, but they just fly in circles until they get down low enough to find the door again. Just a symptom of an open house I guess.

Once we went to the bird market here and it was a horror. All those poor tiny animals in tiny cages. There were about 30 baby monkeys with collars on and 15cm chains tying them to a cage. When I walked past one leaned off the cage towards me, nearly choking itself to hold out a beseeching little hand. I gave it my finger and it held on for dear life. When I had to move on I needed to pry its little hand away. I've hardly ever had to do anything so heartbreaking as that, but what would we do with a monkey? It's like adopting a strong baby, only they live with you forever and just get bigger and stronger, but not independent. Also, buying just encourages the trade. Of course, none of that was as bad as the live lynx I saw wrapped in chicken wire and lying out on the road in the sun in a market in rural Vietnam. I nearly fainted I felt so sick.

I will start looking for a vet and let you know how I go. I may find other rehabbers that way too and maybe I can just help them out.

Oh, and you can get almost anything over the counter without prescription. Certainly any antibiotics. In a county where most people can't afford to see doctors for any little thing...

[czarina]

Oh, those animal stories are heartbreaking. I can see i would probably go broke the first year. Or find myself imprisoned, for causing a ruckus at the local market!
And you are right of course, what does one do with a monkey? If we think squirrels get into too much mischief, imagine what monkeys could do! They have real thumbs.

I do think finding a vet is a good place to start.
But be warned, once a squirrel finds you, there are usually more to come.
They might have a secret underground where they keep our nsmes and addresses!
Hoping this goes well for you. You sure did a great job with your baby, and we know you have the heart for it.:Love_Icon:Love_Icon:Love_Icon:Love_Icon:Love_I con:Love_Icon:

[harimau]

Yes, it's hard. The one thing I do not absolutely love about living here is the treatment of animals. The mangy dogs with broken legs and the endless litters of starving kittens...

I forgot to say.. Naiki does chew on wood, all the time. He's been chewing on his cage from day 1 but he's yet to chew through even the slenderest of the "grass" bars. His teeth are so fine and sharp that when he starts chewing on my moles or the heel of my foot I generally notice his stillness before I notice he's biting me! I figure it's much more likely he'll gnaw me down to a skeleton before he gets through that bamboo.

Thanks for your best wishes. I'll keep you updated :)

[Bravo]

I'd be unable to face the abuse of animals over there. I'm sure your brief descriptions just barely scratch the surface.

Much better to read about little Naiku and hear how he continues in good health. :thumbsup

[czarina]

We'll have to keep our eyes 👀 on you! If Naiki keeps nibbling on your heels without you noticing, one day we may find only you eyes 👀 peeking out of your boots! :rofl4:shine

[squirel]

You did such a wonderful job with Naiki and your idea shows what a great heart you have :grouphug .
What about starting slow and see how it goes and how difficult/easy it is on your heart ?
Wish you the best luck and joy

[harimau]

236987

Thanks all!

I agree bravo, let's stick to the happy stuff!

Czarina: that's exactly how I picture it! :grin2

Squirel I think that's an excellent plan! Vet first, then "pelan pelan" (slowly!)

To make up for those sad stories here's a picture of Mr fluffy guts with his breakky just moments before he jumped on my head to do my hair squirrel style. I tell you, if he really was a people (and thank goodness he's not) he'd be making a fortune as a hairdresser.

[stosh2010]

HOLA ! from Costa Rica...I've been without internet at home for 9 days...posting from my office at work...

You can learn soooooo much ...(RIGHT HERE) just reviewing all the info on nutrition and emergency care on TSB...
Squirrels will chew their way out of anything non-metalic. Just because they don't for days or weeks...doesn't mean that overnight they won't get "the urge" and they will be FREE by morning.

[harimau]

Hola stosh! Sorry to hear about your internet problems. We have service trouble here too. Sometimes just electricity is too much to ask!

You could be right about the bamboo, but I'm not sure I have a more squirrel proof option available. It might not prove much impediment to your squirrels, but Naiki's teeth are just a few mm long. The bamboo is 2cm thick, 15cm diameter at least, up to 60ft tall, hard as a rock (needs a chain saw to cut down) and so full of silica that chewing on it would be like having a mouthful of glass. As far as I'm aware nothing here eats bamboo once it's bigger than a sprout. Animal fencing and traps are all made from bamboo. At the very least it would take so long to chew through I would notice before it happened. I can always ensure the whole thing is mesh covered, even the floor. Hopefully that keeps him in ;)