Rabbit Hole

Question
Hello, Please help! Urgent!
I was mowing my lawn this evening and ran across a round flat patch of dirt that looked like a padded down gopher hole.  I discovered after moving the dirt around some that it had a baby rabbit in it.  Very young, new born almost eyes still closed.  The little one worked its way up to the surface and was poking its little head out almost like mole.  What do I do?  Will the mamma come back and take care of it ok?  I covered it up with the dried grass that came up from the hole etc.  Will it be ok?  Or should I try to rescue it etc.  Please help.  Didnt mean to disturb nest and feel awful! The little guy is now close to the surface of nest.

Answer
Dear Lynette,

If you've re-covered the baby and restored the nest to as much of its original condition as possible, that's the very best thing to do.  Mama will return to feed her child, as long as the nest is still there.

You can check to see if the baby is being fed by putting a few long twigs or blades of grass across the nest.  If they've been disturbed when you check, then mama is opening the nest to feed her baby.  If you are *sure* the baby has been abandoned (which usually does not happen), then please go here:

www.bio.miami.edu/hare/wildbabies.pdf

for instructions.  Better still, you can find a wildlife rehabilitator here:

http://www.tc.umn.edu/~devo0028/contact.htm

who can coach you about what to do, or whether to bring the baby in.

I hope this helps.

Dana