Wildlife

Wildlife Rescue: When and How to Help

Many wild animals are unnecessarily removed from the wild by well-meaning people; understanding when intervention is appropriate prevents inadvertent harm.

Key Facts

90% of fledgling birds found on the ground should be left there as parents monitor them
Young deer left apparently alone are normal — mothers return after feeding
Most injured wildlife need specialist care beyond what untrained people can provide
Contact with wild animals can imprint them on humans, reducing survival chances

Welfare Considerations

Well-meaning wildlife rescuers sometimes remove animals that need no help, causing stress and removing them from parental care. Genuine emergencies including animal-vehicle collisions, entanglement in human debris, and clear injury warrant intervention. The correct response is usually to contact a licensed rehabilitator immediately rather than attempting care oneself.

What You Can Do

Contact licensed wildlife rehabilitators before intervening with wild animals
Learn to distinguish genuinely injured wildlife from normally behaving animals
Never attempt to raise or imprint wild animals without specialist training
Keep rehabilitators contact numbers accessible for wildlife emergencies