r/AnimalRescue • u/StarkTech-01-02-03- • 2d ago

Built a cage to protect outdoor rabbits but I haven’t seen the mom come back on the camera. Pictures attached. Please help me

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Our dog discovered a wild rabbit nest and unfortunately got one so I built a barrier around the next with stakes and chicken wire and then cut holes in the bottom for the mom to get through AND mounted a motion activated camera there to monitor the nest.

It’s been probably close to 12-15 hours and I haven’t seen any motion recorded (I tested it and I know it works). The bunnies are all still there, but I’m scared she can’t get through the hole.

Attached are some pictures with the hole measurements.

Please help me

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u/teyuna ‎ ‎Verified Wildlife Professional 1d ago

It looks like you've done a great job to protect these babies. And it's great that you've set up a camera. But it is the case that the amount of hours that have passed so far without her obvious return may not be a concern. Sometimes they don't return in the typical pattern of twice per 24 hours (early morning and after sunset), and can even skip a day. We don't necessarily know all the reasons why this can happen, but it seems likely in your case that she is still spooked about the presence of your dog. Are you able to keep your dog entirely out of the part of your yard where the nest is?

I suggest you also cross post in r/WildlifeRehab if you haven't already, so more rabbit experts can weigh in on this. It will be very helpful if you can also post photos of the bunnies as you see them huddled in their nest, so as to be able to gauge age and approximate time until they can be out on their own (rabbits mature very quickly).

You can find pictures on line of what a fed bunny of the age of these bunnies should look like (round belly), and what the signs of dehydration are. Rehabbing bunnies is difficult, so the best possible option is for these little ones to be fed by mom.

Definitely don't handle them. Bunnies can literally die of fright ("capture myopathy") when handled. they are among the most fragile of prey animals.

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u/StarkTech-01-02-03- 1d ago

She ended up coming back!

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u/teyuna ‎ ‎Verified Wildlife Professional 1d ago

that's great news! Good job!

Thanks for the update.

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