Many injured porcupines are found on roadsides after being struck by a vehicle. If the animal is in immediate danger from traffic and it is safe for you to intervene, moving it a short distance to safety can save its life while you arrange help.

If the porcupine needs to be moved

• A plastic storage tote with a secure-fitting lid is often the safest way to contain and transport an injured porcupine. If the porcupine will remain in the tote beyond the few minutes needed to move it to safety, the tote must have adequate ventilation. Whenever possible, drill multiple air holes in the sides before containing the animal. Never attempt to drill holes while the porcupine is inside the tote.

• Avoid using towels, blankets, or other fabrics. Porcupine quills can become embedded in cloth, making it difficult to free the animal without causing additional stress or damage.

• Place the plastic tote over the porcupine, making sure to hold it down firmly to prevent escape.

• With steady, confident movements, slide the lid underneath the tote until the porcupine is fully enclosed. 

• Secure the lid before lifting the tote.

• Move the tote to a safe, shaded location and contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator for further instructions.

Use caution

An injured porcupine is scared and may defend itself by rapidly swinging its quill-covered tail. While they do not shoot their quills, they can whip their tail with surprising speed and force. Keep children and pets away, minimize handling, and contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator as soon as possible.

One of the hardest things for wildlife rehabilitators to tell people is also one of the most important:

Most baby wildlife do not need to be rescued.

Every spring and summer, well-meaning people find young animals alone and assume they've been orphaned. In reality, that's exactly how many wild parents raise their young.

A mother porcupine often leaves her porcupette alone for long stretches while she forages, returning periodically to nurse and check on her young. Even at a surprisingly young age, porcupettes are remarkably independent—they can climb, explore, and spend time on their own.

Seeing a young porcupine by itself is perfectly normal and does not mean it has been orphaned. Unless the animal is clearly injured or there is evidence that its mother has died, the best place for a healthy porcupette is exactly where it belongs: in the wild, waiting for mom to return.

Removing a healthy young animal from the wild is one of the most common reasons wildlife rehabilitation centers receive animals that never needed help in the first place.

When should you intervene?

The safest assumption is that a young animal's parents are still caring for it unless there is clear evidence otherwise.

Signs an animal may truly need help include:

• You witnessed the mother being killed (such as in a vehicle collision).
• The baby is obviously injured or bleeding.
• The animal has been caught by a cat or dog.
• It has flies, maggots, or appears extremely weak or dehydrated.
• It has remained in the exact same location for an unusually long time while showing signs of distress.

If none of these apply, the best thing you can do is leave the animal where you found it or, if it was moved, return it to that exact location.

For more information on baby porcupines, visit our blog post: Is This Baby Porcupine Really Orphaned?