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What To Do If You Have Found Orphaned or Injured Wildlife (BOX 1)

Firstly please lock pets away in another room and secure the wildlife in a cardboard box (or similar) with holes in for ventilation. Unsecured wildlife are at high risk of predator attacks so don't leave them outside. Use a towel or gloves to protect your hands when picking up. Rescues cannot usually help you with unsecured wildlife.

 

Place the bird in a well-ventilated cardboard box with holes, with a towel / tea towel placed underneath them for added comfort and grip.

 

If you have a hot water bottle or container that will hold warm water – NOT boiling, but the hottest you can get from a hot water tap – wrap this in a towel (just one layer of the towel around it) and place it under the bird or hedgehog. Instant warmers are ideal for emergencies. If a bird needs to be warmed up urgently and you're nowhere near hot water etc., then cupping it inside your hands, or holding it against your body or if larger, wrapping it in jacket or blanket and cradling it in your arms and holding it against your body, may save its life.

 

If possible, place the box/container well away from the noise, e.g. TV, children, people, dogs barking etc. The birds will be terrified and may be in shock. Shock can kill, and any loud noises or excessive human contact may increase their shock and fear. If travelling in a car turn the radio off and keep talking to the minimum.

 

Do not offer food or drink into the mouth of the animal. Please note – if given fluids or food incorrectly the animal is at high risk of death, NEVER just squirt or drop liquids or food into their mouth, it could go down the trachea and into the lungs causing aspiration and death.

 

If you offer a bowl of water, ensure you remove this before travel as the wildlife could drown during transportation.

 

The next priority is to transport your wildlife to an experienced rehabber or rescue centre.

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