Urban Wildlife

Welfare of Injured Wildlife in Urban Areas

Urban wildlife increasingly encounters human-caused hazards including vehicles, windows, traps, and toxic substances that create welfare crises requiring response systems.

Key Facts

Window collisions kill an estimated 1 billion birds annually in North America
Urban wildlife injuries often go unreported due to lack of knowledge about resources
Wildlife rehabilitators treat hundreds of thousands of animals annually in the US
Unauthorized feeding of injured wildlife by well-intentioned people causes harm
Lead ammunition fragments contaminate carcasses that urban raptors consume

Welfare Considerations

Urban wildlife welfare depends on public knowledge of what to do when encountering injured animals, and on adequate funding for wildlife rehabilitation networks. Most urban wildlife injuries are preventable through building modifications and behavioral changes.

What You Can Do

Know your local wildlife rehabilitator contact before you need them
Apply window collision deterrent stickers or external screens to large windows
Never attempt to treat injured wildlife yourself — call a rehabilitator
Support lead ammunition phase-out to reduce raptor poisoning risk