A wild baby bunny taken into a domestic situation, for whatever reason including treatment of life-threatening injuries, has about a one percent chance of survival. Wild animals are equipped to survive on their own and in almost all cases they should either be left alone, or if they really need help, a licensed wildlife rehabilitator or veterinarian should handle it. Most vets are not licensed to treat wildlife, so you may need to call around to find a vet that can help.

A mother rabbit will only tend to her nest a couple of times a day and spend the rest of the day away from it, to prevent drawing predators to the nest. If you find a nest that looks undisturbed and the mother is nowhere in sight, that is her plan. She will be back within 24-48 hours maximum to check on and feed her babies.

If you have no other choice, or if you simply need to buy time, it may help to provide it with some hay with some real fur as bedding (perhaps from brushing your other bunnies). Real fur is especially comforting to orphaned wildlife, and it gives them the sense that they are with their mother and littermates. To keep it warm, you may also want to wrap the bunny in a small towel (with the hay and fur inside).

See also: Naturalists: Wildlife best left alone

(More to come...)

In the meantime, the following links are very good reading on what to do about wildlife in your area.

Injured/Orphaned Wildlife

The Human Society's article on what to do if you find injured or orphaned wildlife.

Orphaned Wildlife

The House Rabbit Society's article on what to do if you find an orphaned baby bunny.

What To Do

Wild rabbit nests are dug up by mistake, and now you have a litter of baby bunnies. Who you gonna call?

Wild Rabbits

The House Rabbit Connection's article on what to do about wild rabbits.

Caring for Orphans

What to do if you find an orphaned baby wild bird songbird or mammal.

Caring for Families

The House Rabbit Society's reprint of how to care for domestic baby bunnies and their mom.

Help Create Safe Passageways For Wildlife

The Humane Society's article on doing your part to make the roads safe for the wildlife that need to cross.

Killer Highways

The Humane Soiety's article on what the United States is currently doing about making the roads safer for wildlife.

Safe Driving with Wildlife

The Humane Society's article on safe driving tips with wildlife, and what to do if about injured or dead wildlife on the roads.

Road Runners: The Deadly Fall Ritual of Animals Crossing Roads

The Humane Society's article on wildlife mortality in the Fall season.

The Kindness of Strangers: When To Leave Baby Wildlife Alone

The Humane Society's article on determining when wildlife really needs help and when it's better to leave them alone.

Urban Wildlife Sanctuary

The HSUS's Urban Wildlife Sanctuary Program (UWSP) provides individuals and communities the opportunity to assess and improve their property's usefulness as a wildlife habitat

Orphaned Rabbit Care

Trying to raise orphaned wild rabbit species (cottontails, hares, etc) is rarely a rewarding venture.

Successful Wild Baby Rabbit Care/Rehabilitation (Part 1)

A thorough article on raising wild baby rabbits

Successful Wild Baby Rabbit Care/Rehabilitation (Part 2)

A thorough article on raising wild baby rabbits

Help! I've Found an Abandoned Wild Baby Rabbit!

The House Rabbit Network's article on what to do and who to contact if you find a baby rabbit.

How to Locate a Wildlife Rehabilitator

Fawns, baby rabbits should be left alone

A good article on why to leave baby wildlife alone, including that you may inadvertantly draw predators to otherwise safe babies