Care for Injured and Orphaned Wildlife
What to Do if You Find an Injured or Abandoned Animal
Jul 18, 2008
At some point, many people will encounter an injured wild animal or an orphaned baby creature, and the first question most would-be rescuers ask is, “What should I do?” While there is no uniform “right” or “wrong” answer – each situation is unique - understanding the basics can provide vital guidance when there’s wildlife in need.
To Act or Not to Act
There’s many cases where a wild animal will not survive without human intervention, but there are other instances where human intervention can do more harm than good.
Dr. Michael Levine, DVM, has worked extensively with wildlife rehabilitation centers throughout New England for the past three decades. He offered the following guidelines for dealing with injured or orphaned fwildlife:
- If an animal is injured, immediate action should be taken, but remember, an injured animal is prone to aggression. So seeking the help of a professional – animal control or a wildlife rehabilitator – is ideal in these situations. If you absolutely must handle an injured animal, do so using extreme caution and take protective measures, such as wearing thick leather gloves.
- In the case of a baby animal that appears to be alone, do not act immediately unless the baby is obviously injured or in immediate danger from predation, traffic, etc. Many wild animals allow their young to roam relatively freely, while mom or dad looks on from a distance.
- If a wild mother is injured or killed and cannot care for her young, the babies will often leave the nest or den in seek of food. Crying and vocalizing is a common behavior in young wild animals who are hungry and who are without the care of their mother. This is a case where immediate intervention is necessary.
- If a baby bird or squirrel has fallen from the nest in a tree or other tall structure, there’s a good chance the animal is injured. If the mother does not retrieve the baby within an hour or two, humans should intervene. Intervention should occur sooner if the baby is obviously injured or crying.
- As a general rule, young animals are less likely to act aggressively toward humans. Adults are often more prone to acting in an aggressive manner. And an injured animal – even an animal who is normally docile – can exhibit signs of aggression when injured. All wild animals should be handled with caution.
- If you decide to intervene and care for a wild orphan, contacting a wildlife rehabilitation facility is the first priority, as many orphans are in need of veterinary attention and specialized care if they are to survive. If no rehabilitators are available in your area, contact veterinarians to seek assistance for your orphan. Many veterinarians can also provide referrals to veterinarians who specialize in wildlife.
- An injured wild animal must be placed in a secure cage or box to help prevent further injury to the animal and its human caretakers. Get the animal to a qualified veterinarian or wildlife rehabilitator immediately and limit direct contact with the animal in order to avoid unnecessary stress and fear.
Where to Find Help
There are many qualified individuals who can help an injured animal in need. Consider seeking help from one of the following agencies:
- A local Animal Control Officer (usually affiliated with the local fire or police department)
- The Animal Rescue League or other similar animal welfare organization
- A State Wildlife Agency (in the U.S.)
- A Veterinary School or University in your area
- A local veterinarian (if they are not equipped to assist you, most can refer you to someone else who is qualified to handle a wildlife emergency)
- A Wildlife Rehabilitator
Dr. Levine concluded, "If you're the type of person who would be compelled to help injured or orphaned wildlife, I recommend investigating your local resources before an emergency arises. Find out who can help you to perform a rescue out in the field and find out where you can take the animal for veterinary care and rehabilitation and keep those agencies' contact information handy - you never know when you're going to come across an animal in need."
Related Reading
Readers who found this article helpful may also enjoy Care for an Orphaned Squirrel and Feeding an Orphaned Squirrel.
Orphaned baby squirrel caretakers may also find the Baby Squirrel Care Page useful, with its information on determining the age of a baby squirrel, feeding schedules for the baby squirrel and more.
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