Lunch Time for the Raccoons 8

One of the more time-consuming and necessary tasks at the wildlife rescue center is feeding the baby raccoons; we can get anywhere from 50 to 100 in a season.  When they're younger, they need stimulating first; you have to rub them vigorously to tell them to go to the bathroom, something the parent normally does until they're old enough to understand to do it on their own.  Then they are fed with syringes; this happens a number of times a day based on their weight and age, and there are different formulas for different ages as well.  Eventually they get to the point that they can be fed outside, and then moved outside entirely.  Here, some new volunteers and returning staff work with a couple of litters.

For video of this process, see here: Preparing to Feed the Babies.