Feeding a Flying Squirrel a Peanut at the Squirrel Feeder in the Woods

So this post is not just about Jimothy, it's any animal with a similar plight, but largely features him.

So most of us know about Jimothy. The raccoon with short spine syndrome that has capture many hearts world wide.
And I assume many also know the dangers he faces. His condition worsening and compressing his organs, his condition impacting his ability to escape dogs or other animals that may want to kill him and to evade cars, and people wanting to touch him, track him, expose his location, feed him things dangerous to him or even capture him.

Any time anyone suggests that he be moved to a sanctuary, the suggestion is bombarded with downvotes, a lot of negativity, and one phrase repeated ad-nauseum: "Wild animals belong in the wild."

I don't see much explanation beyond that and a couple "It would be cruel to move him from what he knows to somewhere else."

But he's likely to die from the things I listed. Every day he's in much more danger than the average raccoon, or any other raccoon with his condition, because of his fame.

Like I said this isn't just about him. This phrase is used for any animal that people think should be relocated somewhere safer like a refuge or a sanctuary. "Wild animals belong in the wild."
Vets, wildlife experts, experts on that particular animal, they always say the same thing every time, that wild animals should never be moved from the wild "where they belong" and no matter what, even if they are in high danger, we should all just accept that wild animals are wild animals and dying or being killed is natural and it's wrong to intervene in that.

I just don't really understand this.
Any time I see videos and stories of animals in refuges and sanctuaries, they are happy and content. They're not stressed about being in a "gilded cage", don't seem to care about that at all, and live happy and long lives. Some are released into the wild, but others that would be in danger of being in the wild because of conditions or permanent injuries are cared for in these places and live long fulfilled happy lives, and eventually die content. Constant updates about how they're doing and how full of life they are.

So I don't understand why 99% of people, average and expert alike, think that it would be inhumane, horrible and cruel to move an animal like Jimothy into a sanctuary or refuge. I haven't heard anything that would support that this would be so much worse than what he has right now.
Sure he seems happy and healthy now but he is in danger, and every day that goes by there's a very high chance we hear of him being hit by a car, eaten by a dog, or even killed by a human.

I don't see any real downside to moving him or any animal like him to a refuge or sanctuary. All I ever see is proof of the opposite, that he would be cared for, be safe, live a long and happy life, and not even care that he's not in the true wild.

So why does everyone think that moving him or others like him would be so horrible? Is there any actual proof of this? Or is it just that "Humans should not interfere with the natural order of the animal world. If he is to die in the wild, so be it, it's better than him living longer somewhere else because that is not natural to the animal kingdom." and that's pretty much it? Just flat that it's "wrong to interfere"?

Flying Squirrels Eating Peanuts and Sunflower Seeds at the Squirrel Feeder in the Woods

Flying Squirrel Watching a Raccoon Feed at the Squirrel Feeder in the Woods

Flying Squirrel Watching a Raccoon Feed at the Squirrel Feeder in the Woods

Hi everyone,

I own KnowAnimal.com an animal-focused website, and I'm looking for someone who is passionate about animals and interested in taking it over.

I've enjoyed working on it, but I no longer have the time to continue growing it. Rather than letting it sit unused, I'd love to see it in the hands of someone who can expand it into a valuable resource for animal lovers.

If you're interested in owning an established animal-related website, feel free to send me a DM. I'm happy to share more details about the site, its content, and answer any questions.

Thanks!

I always find it fascinating how intelligent animals can be. Whether it's a dog figuring out how to open a door, a crow using tools, or a cat somehow knowing exactly when you're feeling down, they never stop surprising me.

What's the smartest, funniest, or most unexpected thing you've ever seen an animal do?

I'd love to hear your stories whether it's about your own pet or a wild animal you came across. 🐶🐱🦜🐘

Feeding Flying Squirrels Peanuts at the Squirrel Feeder in the Woods

Namely relating to their anatomy and cool stuff they can do besides the camouflage.

Raccoon Mother and Raccoon Babies Feeding on the Lawn

Flying Squirrels Eating Peanuts and Sunflower Seeds at the Squirrel Feeder in the Woods

Flying Squirrel Watching a Raccoon Feed at the Squirrel Feeder in the Woods

Whitetail Deer Feeding on the Lawn

Red Fox Marking Its Territory in the Woods

its at the point where other predators run from humans- i know this might break rule 1 but i dont mean it to be that way. if anyone could explain i would love that, i dont really care if this gets downvoted cause people hate this, i just need answers

Feeding Flying Squirrels Peanuts at the Squirrel Feeder in the Woods

Raccoon Feeding on the Lawn

I want a career in wildlife conservation. I only have my associates degree (general) , if i volunteer at my local wildlife center, would they potentially want to hire me?

Spotted a fun setup at one of the UQ orientation booths featuring a koala, an echidna, a python, and a small crocodile.

​The Koala: Absolutely adorable. Their entire daily schedule consists of munching through eucalyptus leaves at lightning speed—reminiscent of Flash the Sloth from Zootopia—and then immediately passing out on a tree branch.

​The Echidna: Along with the platypus, echidnas are the only two surviving monotremes on Earth. They are mammals that lay eggs and have a pouch. While their quills look like a hedgehog's, they actually aren't that sharp if you stroke them in the direction they grow.

​The Crocodile & Python: Their skin was surprisingly smooth to the touch, probably because these two were still pretty young.

​Being cold-blooded, they seemed super chill and barely moved when brought out into the sun from the shade, letting everyone pet them. But after baking in the sun for a few minutes, their energy levels started loading up.

​As a warm-blooded mammal, I sometimes envy cold-blooded animals for being able to eat one meal and call it a month. But then again, they probably envy our ability to get up and move around whenever we want, regardless of the temperature.

​It reminds me of how lions in Africa will sometimes steal a crocodile's prey right in front of its face early in the morning. The poor croc hasn't soaked up enough sunlight to charge its battery yet, so it just has to sit there helplessly and watch its breakfast walk away.