Wildlife hospital overrun with baby squirrels

PALM SHORES Storms and overzealous tree trimmers sent 120 baby squirrels tumbling from their tree-top nests, onto the ground and into rehab.

Now, the fuzzy little critters wolf down nut-vegetable mix, sniff for more, and overwhelm yet enamor their hosts.

"It's not out of the norm, but it's early," Tracy Frampton, executive director of the Florida Wildlife Hospital and Sanctuary, said of this season's early arrivals at the sanctuary.

Squirrel nesting season happens twice a year — in mid- to late September and again around February and March.

Staff hand feed most of the orphaned baby squirrels at the sanctuary three or four times daily. None of the squirrels is completely independent, yet. But when they are in a few months, staff will to let them acclimate outside at the sanctuary for a while, then release them back to the wild.

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Frampton says residents should keep an eye out for baby squirrels that have fallen from storm-damaged or destroyed nests.

But don't jump the gun rescuing these little guys.

"If you find it at the base of the tree, there's still a chance that mom's around and will come collect it," Frampton said.

If you can put the little critters somewhere safe — such as in an elevated bucket, so cats can't get them — mamma squirrel will likely fetch them back to the nest or build a new one if the nest is destroyed.

"As good as we are, we can't compete with the mamma squirrel," Frampton said. "If you can keep it safe for several hours, that's really the best bet."

The squirrels are on a very specialized diet, but the sanctuary staff says they can use donated, unsalted nuts.

"We can always use donations," Frampton said. "We are going through a boatload of formula right now."

Contact Waymer at 321-242-3663 or jwaymer@floridatoday.com Follow him on Twitter @JWayEnviro and at facebook.com/jim.waymer

Florida Wildlife Hospital and Sanctuary

Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., seven days a week.

After hours, leave wildlife patients in the cage at the west end of the parking lot and fill out the form provided. Call and leave a voice mail message to alert us of your delivery.

Phone: 321-254-8843

Address: 4560 U.S. 1, Palm Shores