Steps to take if you come across injured wildlife

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What to do if you find injured wildlife in your garden

Brits are being told of the right steps to take when finding injured wildlife in the garden.

Experts at GardeningExpress.co.uk have shared their advice on when to intervene and how to help injured wildlife without causing them distress.

There are multiple factors that need to be taken into consideration when finding injured wildlife in the garden, as in some cases intervening can do more harm than good.

The first step is to assess the situation by observing the bird or animal from a safe distance to see how bad their injuries are.

If the injury is not too serious, it may be better to allow them to recover on their own as some wildlife can experience stress when handled which may cause more harm.

In some cases, it can also seem like wildlife are in need of help when they’re actually not. For example, it’s normal for fledglings to be found on the ground as they’re learning to fly and their parents are usually close by.

A rule of thumb is to only handle wildlife if there are clear signs of injuries and if it seems unlikely they’re going to survive on their own in the wild.

Before intervening, it’s important to contact RSPCA or a local vet who can provide guidance or arrange for the animal to be collected.

The professionals may ask you to provide temporary care by moving the injured wildlife to a dark, quiet place such as a well-ventilated box.

It’s important to wear gloves when handling wild animals and birds as some of them can ca

Chris Bonnett, founder of GardeningExpress.co.uk said: “It can be incredibly distressing to come across injured wildlife in your garden but it’s important to remain calm and approach the situation carefully.

“Intervention is not always the best course of action, so it’s crucial to first assess the severity of the injuries to ensure that your actions don’t inadvertently cause more harm than good.

“If you’re not sure how to handle the situation, it’s always best to seek professional help by contacting a wildlife rescue organisation or your local vet.

“If you’re advised to provide care to the injured wildlife, make sure to prioritise your own safety as well and wear thick gloves as some wildlife can be aggressive when being handled, or may carry diseases.”

What to do with different types of injured wildlife: 

Birds

If you find a baby bird without feathers then it means that it’s a nestling and won’t survive out of the nest and should be gently returned. If you come across a baby bird on the ground that has feathers then it’s a fledgling and it’s usually not a cause for concern as it’s likely just learning to fly.

If you find an adult bird that has obvious wounds, is bleeding or doesn’t move when you approach them, call RSPCA and if advised to do so, move the bird into a well-ventilated box with soft material until a qualified professional can take a look at it.

Hedgehogs

If you come across a hedgehog that has an obvious injury like a cut, is limping, lethargic or is not interested in the food you put out, it’s likely it needs some help. Make sure to wear thick gloves to protect yourself from the spines, use a towel to gently pick the hedgehog up, place it in a high-sided cardboard box and take it to the vet. To make it easier to catch the hedgehog, you can gently throw a towel over it, which will encourage it to curl up.

Rodents

If you need to take care of an injured rodent, keep in mind to place it in a plastic box as it can chew through cardboard. Make sure to take safety precautions when handling rodents and avoid approaching them if they’re in distress. Keep the box in a warm, quiet place and contact a wildlife rescue centre or the vet.

If you’ve encountered a baby rodent out of the nest but it has fur, leave it alone or otherwise you can scare away the parents who are likely nearby. If the baby rodent doesn’t have fur and its eyes are closed, transport it to the vet in a box as soon as possible.

Rabbits or hares

If you encounter a wild rabbit showing symptoms such as lumps on its head and swelling with pus around its nose and eyes, it is likely suffering from the common and fatal disease called myxomatosis. The best course of action is to take the rabbit to a vet or a wildlife rehabilitator as soon as possible.

If you find a baby rabbit or hare, don’t panic as their parents usually leave them alone for long periods of time until they come to feed them. Observe the animal from a distance until its mother arrives or it makes its own way back to the burrow. If the mother hasn’t returned by dusk, the baby hare or rabbit needs to be rescued.


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