How to Help Injured Wildlife… and When Not To

Surrounded by Injured Wildlife

We are lucky in the UK to have a lot of wildlife at close hand. From common garden species like songbirds and squirrels to more wild species such as birds of prey and protected species like hedgehogs and bats, the average person is probably surrounded by more wildlife than they realise! Often, we only notice injured wildlife when they are ill or hurt, and it can be hard to know how to help. Many times the best thing to do is to leave them alone, but if a wild animal is ill or injured then you may want to get help for them. Bear in mind that injured wildlife often find the process of being “rescued” extremely stressful. Even those that seem calm and docile will be very frightened by human contact. Most wild animals hide signs of weakness extremely well, so by the time we see that they are poorly, the animal is often very ill. For these reasons, euthanasia may be the kindest way for professionals to help.

DOES THIS ANIMAL NEED HELP?

Not every animal we see needs help. If they are active and alert then they are probably fine. Watch from a
distance for several hours before intervening.

SHOULD I PICK IT UP?

If you do need to intervene then protect yourself from bites, scratches, and infection. Wear protective clothing and cover the animal with a thick towel or gently place a box over them.

HOW TO KEEP IT SAFE

Keep the animal in a ventilated box or cage lined with towels or blankets. Put them somewhere warm and quiet. Contact the RSPCA, or a local rescue or rehabilitation centre for advice.

Who can Help?

RSPCA

The RSPCA is a great source of information about protecting and helping injured wildlife. Their website has loads of advice about the bestways to help baby birds, hedgehogs, squirrels, and others. Wildlife in need of treatment and rehabilitation can be cared for at one of the RSPCA’s dedicated wildlife centres located throughout the country. www.rspca.org

Wildlife Rescues and Rehabilitators

If you are unable to get to an RSPCA wildlife centre then injuredwildlife can be treated and cared for by trained
staff at a local rescue centre or by specialist wildlife rehabilitators. A list of contacts in your area can be found at
www.helpwildlife.co.uk

Vets

Vets can provide emergency first aid for any species. However most vets are not set up to provide ongoing care for wild animals.

Birds: Garden birds

We’re surrounded by birds in our gardens and parks so these are one of the species you are most likely to find injured. Signs that a bird is poorly include sitting still in a hunched posture, ruffled feathers, rapid breathing, and visible wounds. If you find an injured bird then contact the RSPCA or a wildlife rescue for advice BEFORE handling the bird. If you are advised to pick the bird up then cover it gently with a towel or blanket before handling it. Wear gloves.

Birds: Baby Birds

Baby birds have a much better chance of survival if they are left to be cared for by their parents in the wild than if they are brought in to a rescue centre. If you find a NESTLING (a baby bird with no feathers who should still be in the nest) then the best thing to do is to put it back in the nest where possible. If you can’t find a nest or you can’t reach it, then you can make a replacement nest: a small basket or box lined with towels and hung in the tree or on a washing line. The parents will often continue to feed and care for the nestling there. Once a baby bird has feathers it is called a FLEDGLING and is ready to start leaving the nest. So it can be normal to find fledglings on the ground! The best thing to do is to watch the fledgling, and keep pets and predators away. The parents are usually nearby and will continue to feed their baby on the ground. Even if you have already handled a fledgling, you can usually put them back. If there are predators lurking nearby then place the fledgling in a box or basket as for nestlings.

Birds: Gulls, Waterfowl, Birds of Prey

Baby gulls can be a common sight in wildlife rescues during the summer months. Baby gulls are only fed by their parents a few times a day. If you see a baby gull who looks alert and has no obvious injuries then it is probably being fed by it’s parents. Leave it where it is. If it has fallen onto the ground then safely return it to a high place where the parents can feed it.

If you find an ill or injured seagull, duck or goose, or raptor then DO NOT HANDLE THE BIRD. Contact the RSPCA, DEFRA, or a wildlife rescue for advice. Due to the risk of Bird Flu treatment options for these species are currently restricted.

BIRD FLU ADVICE

• Bird Flu is a notifiable disease in the UK. This means that cases must be reported to the government.
• People can get Bird Flu from handling infected birds or their feathers or droppings.
• Seabirds, waterfowl, and domestic poultry are the most commonly affected birds. Most garden birds have a very low risk of Bird Flu.
• Dead or ill birds should be reported to DEFRA.
• Do not touch dead or ill birds or their feathers and droppings.
• Wildlife rescues and Vets may not be able to accept some ill or injured wild birds due to the risk of Bird Flu.

Hedgehogs

Hedgehog numbers are falling in the UK due to habitat loss, and they are now a protected species. Although not as common as they used to be most of us have seen a hedgehog snuffling round the garden or park. Every spring Summer and Autumn wildlife centres are inundated with hedgehogs. A lot of us worry when we see a hedgehog out during the day, but this isn’t always a problem: They may be on the move if their nest was
disturbed or they may be looking for food, if the weather’s been particularly dry. If a hedgehog is active and moving about then provide food and water, and keep an eye on them. Hedgehogs who are trapped, injured, moving slowly or in circles, or have flies or maggots may need help. Contact a wildlife centre or the RSPCA for advice. Hedgehogs can have bacterial or fungal infections which you can catch from handling them, so if you need to pick on up then wear gloves and wrap him in a towel or blanket.

Hedgehogs: Hoglets

Baby hedgehogs are call hoglets. In general you can follow the same advice for hoglets as for adult hedgehogs. If you see one out and about then mum is usually nearby. If they are active and feeding then provide food and water and keep an eye on them. If a hoglet is visible injured or distressed or found near a dead mum then they probably need help. Contact a wildlife centre or the RSPCA for advice. Hedgehogs hibernate from late autumn to
early Spring. In order to survive hibernation they need to have enough body reserves to last through the winter. If you see a small hoglet in late September or October then provide food and water and keep an eye on him. But if he’s not growing, or for small hoglets in late October or November then contact a wildlife rescue or the RSPCA for advice.

HEDGEHOG HELP: FEEDING STATIONS

An easy way to help the hedgehogs in your garden is to provide food and water, especially in the autumn as they prepare for hibernation, and in hot or dry spells of weather.

• Hedgehogs can eat hedgehog food (available from garden centres) or meaty cat or dog food, or dry cat biscuits.
• Offer fresh water. Never give hedgehogs milk to drink.
• Create a safe feeding station with a large sturdy upturned plastic box. Cut a hole in it large enough for hedgehogs to get in and out. Put a heavy brick or stone on top to stop the box being knocked over. Put another heavy brick in front of the entrance to stop predators reaching in.

Check out the British Hedgehog Preservation Society’s website for more advice. www.britishhedgehogs.org.uk If you have a large garden you may want to set up multiple feeding stations.

Squirrels

The UK is home to Red Squirrels, which are a native protected species, and Grey Squirrels an invasive species introduced from North America in the 1800s. It is illegal to treat or release grey squirrels. If you find one that is injured then either leave it alone, or contact a wildlife rescue or vet who can humanely euthanise the squirrel. Red Squirrels are a protected species vulnerable to extinction so they can be treated and released. If you find a Red Squirrel who appears ill or injured (moving slowly, obvious injuries, swelling around the face or eyes, hunched posture) then contact the Wildlife Trust, rescue centre, or a vet.

Rodents: Mice and Rats

Mice and rats are fairly common sites in the UK. Unfortunately, by the time you can catch them they are usually very poorly and euthanasia is usually the kindest treatment. Contact a wildlife rescue or a vet for advice. Many cat owners are frequently presented with an injured mouse. If the mouse is able to move around then move him to a safe place and let him make his own way home. If he is seriously injured then follow the advice above.

Bats

Bats are protected in the UK and it is illegal to disturb a resting bat or a nesting site. Bats require extremely specialist care so if you find an injured one contact the Bat Preservation Trust (www.bats.org). If you do need to pick a bat up then wear gloves and use a blanket or towel. Wash your hands well.

Marine Animals: Seals, whales, porpoises

As an island nation with over 11,000 miles of coastline, injured marine animals are not uncommon. These animals need very specialist handling and care. If you see an injured or distressed marine mammal then do not apporach it. Keep your distance and contact the British Divers Marine Life Rescue (www.bdmlr.org.uk)

Key Points

• Injured wildlife find being “rescued” very stressful. Only intervene if you’re sure the animal
  needs help.
• Always protect yourself and the animal when handling: wear gloves, use towels or blankets,
  and wash your hands.
• Do not handle or approach sick seabirds or waterfowl. Contact DEFRA.
• Before intervening, contact an expert to ask for advice.
• Sometimes the kindest treatment is euthanasia.
• Consider ways you can support wildlife at home: set up feeding stations and safe corridors,
  plant a wildlife friendly garden, protect local habitats.
• Check out the British Wildlife Rehabilitation Council website (www.bwrc.org.uk) for advice
  and a list of rehabiliatators in your area. Rehabilitators are listed by area and species.
• A list of rescues and rehabilitators can also be found at www.helpwildlife.co.uk
• The RSPCA has specialist wildlife rescue centres in Nantwich, Hastings, Kings Lynn and
  Taunton. www.RSPCA.org.uk