Show All Answers

1. I found a baby animal, now what?

Is the baby animal hurt or sick (bleeding, shivering, or vomiting)?

• Yes: Contact a local rehab location.
• No:Try to locate the nest or den. 
  • If the nest / den is intact, place the baby inside and wait several hours for the mother to rejoin her young. Stay completely out of sight. Mothers may not return if people or pets are present.
  • If the nest / den is not intact, place the baby in an open container on the ground close to where it was found. Keep the baby warm, but out of the sun, and watch for domestic predators, rain, cold, excessive heat or swarming flies. Then wait several hours for the mother to rejoin her young. Stay completely out of sight. Mothers may not return if people or pets are present.

Were the mother and baby reunited?

• Yes: It's okay to leave the area now.
• No: Call a local rehab location.

Download the Native Texan flowchart (PDF). Remember, a baby's best chance for survival is with its mother!

2. How do I find a local rehabber?

If you find a wild animal in need, find a Texas Parks and Wildlife licensed rehabilitation specialist to assist at AHNow.org

3. What is the city doing about feral hogs?

McKinney is known for its nature, and various wildlife calls the city home. Since feral hogs do best in their natural environment and not in developed cities, the city has contracted with USDA-Texas Wildlife Services to help remove feral hogs who have become a public safety concern from public property.

For more information about USDA-Texas Wildlife Services' private removal services, contact:

Adam Henry
Wildlife Damage Management Biologist - Urban
USDA-Texas Wildlife Services
817-978-2630

4. Are feral hogs dangerous?

All wild animals can potentially be dangerous, especially when wounded or cornered. In a natural state, feral hogs are not considered dangerous and prefer to run and escape danger.

Extreme caution should be maintained when encountering any wounded, cornered, trapped animal or females with young.

Tips:

• Hazing
  • Opening your arms and making yourself bigger, clapping your hands, and shouting/making loud noises at the animal to scare them off. Noisemakers like air horns also work well.
  • AM talk radios played low simulates human presence and will cause the animal to leave.
  • Motion-activated sprinklers – a spritz of water, when they cross the sprinklers’ path, will cause them to run away.

5. What do feral hogs eat?

In a word, everything. Feral hogs are omnivorous, meaning they eat both plant and animal matter. They are very opportunistic feeders, and much of their diet is based on availability.

Foods include grasses, forbs, roots and tubers, browse, acorns, fruits, and bulbs. Animal matter includes invertebrates (insects, snails, and earthworms), reptiles, and birds. Hogs will also feed on domestic animals if given the opportunity.

Tips:

• Remove food sources that would attract feral hogs and other wildlife that become their prey.
  • It’s important to control grub and nutsedge because hogs and other animals dig up the ground to reach these food sources.
  • Do not feed the wildlife or feral cat colonies. This attracts the wildlife closer to our homes.
  • Bird feeders will often attract mice/rats and other small animals that are easy prey for bobcats.
  • Make sure trashcans are properly locked and secured. If possible, store them inside your garage.