Belleville Cops Offer Reminder After Baby Rabbits Brought To Police HQ

BELLEVILLE, NJ — Did you find a bunch of baby rabbits lying on the ground? Chances are they don’t need to be “rescued,” the Belleville Police Department says.

On Thursday, Belleville police shared the following message on social media:

“Spring is here and signs of the changing season is all around us! This past Tuesday, these baby rabbits were found and brought to BPD by a resident who was unsure what to do with them. Please read the following information about finding young wildlife and what to do. Rest assured that these rabbits were handled with care and will be relocated to a safe and healthy environment.”

According to the BPD, young rabbits found at a nest site do not need to be rescued.

“The mother rabbit will not return as long as a person is standing near the nest site,” police wrote. “If you’ve kicked open a nest, just replace the top of the nest, and leave. The mother will return and care for the young. Cottontail rabbits leave their young for hours while eating, but they do return to nurse the young, until the young are old enough to survive on their own. Young rabbits are ready to leave the nest at three to four weeks of age when their eyes are open and their bodies are furry.”

Belleville police recommended that people visit the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection’s website for more information about what to do when you find injured or young wildlife.

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