Found An Injured Animal?

WHAT TO DO IF YOU FIND A BABY BIRD

Most baby birds do NOT need to be rescued. Lack of information causes people to, in essence, “kidnap” the babies, which greatly reduces their chance of survival.

NESTLINGS (born naked, eyes closed, covered with down or pinfeathers)

IF UNINJURED – If the nestling has just fallen out of the nest and is warm, put it back into the nest. The mother will NOT reject the baby because of human handling. The nestling needs to be fed frequently, so replace it in its nest quickly. If the baby is cold, it will have to be taken to the nearest Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre for care.

CAN’T FIND THE NEST? This is probable since birds hide their nests for protection. Put the nestling in a box lined with soft cloth and take it to the nearest Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre for care.

YOU FIND A FALLEN NEST with young birds in it. Wire it back up in a tree at the location where the nest was found. Make sure the nest is well protected from rain or too much sun. Make sure it is high enough up the tree. If the nest is broken, put it in a plastic container (a margarine container or similar) just large enough to hold the nest. Put holes in the bottom of the container for drainage and securely wire it back to the tree with the nest and nestlings in it. The parents will probably continue to care for the birds. Watch from a window or from a considerable distance. If the parents do not return within a few hours, contact your nearest Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre.

IF THE NESTLING IS INJURED – take to the nearest wildlife Rehabilitation Centre as soon as possible.

DO NOT ATTEMPT TO FEED OR GIVE WATER TO A NESTLING OR FLEDGLING BIRD. THESE BIRDS REQUIRE A SPECIALISED DIET. FOOD OR WATER GIVEN INCORRECTLY TO A YOUNG BIRD MAY KILL IT.

FLEDGLINGS (fully feathered but unable to fly)

Young birds learn how to forage after they learn to fly. They are dependent on their parents for about two weeks after their first flight. This is a critical time in their lives when they are subject to many dangers. It is, however, natural for them to be out facing risks and developing their skills. Their parents are still feeding them, warning them of danger and demonstrating how to behave in their quest for independence.

IF UNINJURED – put the fledgling bird back where it was found, unless there are cats or dogs close by. Hide it in a bush or surrounding vegetation. The baby is much better off left in it’s natural habitat and the parent birds will be near at hand. Keep dogs, cats and children away from the area so that the baby can be reunited with its parent.

IF INJURED – contact your nearest Wildlife Rehabilitation centre.

QUAILS, PHEASANTS, DUCKLINGS, GOSLINGS hatch fully-feathered with their eyes open. They leave the nest to follow their parents within hours of hatching. They learn to forage within three to four days. They rely on their parents for warmth, guidance, supervision and protection from predators. If separated from their parents, it is not likely that they will survive. If you cannot find the parent bird, keep the youngster warm and call your nearest Wildlife Rehabilitation centre immediately.

WHAT DO YOU DO IF YOU FIND AN INJURED BIRD OF PREY?

Firstly approach it slowly. Cover the whole bird with a heavy cloth, jacket, etc. Be careful of the bird’s talons. The talons are the bird’s defence and it will try to strike out at you. If at all possible, grab its legs from behind, near its body, and thus keep the talons from you.

Put the bird in a box, keep it warm and quiet and call your nearest Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre for help.

TRANSPORTATION

If you are transporting the bird/animal, remember three important things – WARMTH, DARK AND QUIET. DO NOT hold the creature in your hands, in its eyes, you are a predator and this places added stress on it. Put the animal in a box and have the car warm. Fill a hot water bottle with hot tap water, wrap it in a towel to protect the bird/animal from direct contact with the hot plastic and carefully wedge it so it will not roll. Keep the box closed, with air holes, and place directly on the seat or on the floor of the car. Do not hold the box. Make sure that it does not slide around on the seat/floor.

MAMMALS

FAWNS. If you find a young fawn hiding in the grass or woods, it is probably just waiting for mom to return. Deer will leave their fawns for hours at a time while they are off foraging. PLEASE DO NOT PICK UP A FAWN UNLESS YOU KNOW FOR SURE THAT IT HAS BEEN ORPHANED OR IT IS INJURED. Leave it alone and leave the area. The mother will not return if you are there and it is much better for the fawn to be raised by the doe.

SEAL PUP - UNINJURED –It is natural for a seal to leave its pup on a beach while it is off fishing. According to the Marine Mammal Rescue & Rehabilitation Program of the Vancouver Aquarium,

if a pup is found, it may need monitoring before rescue is undertaken. The monitoring should be done from a distance to encourage the mother to return to her pup.

Ideally a barrier should be made around the pup with a notice warning the public that the pup is being monitored and should be left alone. If you are in doubt, please contact Marine Mammal Rescue at 604-258-SEAL or your nearest wildlife rehabilitation centre for advice. http://www.vanaqua.org/mmrr

SEAL PUP – INJURED – If the pup has obvious injuries or appears emaciated (it should look really plump) contact Marine Mammal Rescue at 604-258-SEAL or your nearest wildlife rehabilitation centre immediately. Do not attempt to feed it.
http://www.vanaqua.org/mmrr