How to help injured wildlife

It is quite common for baby birds to leave the nest a bit earlier than you might expect, sometimes before they can fly. Baby blackbirds, tawny owls and seagulls are well known for this. As long as their parents are still around and caring for them then the best thing to do is leave them alone. Your presence may stop the parents from looking after them so it is best to keep an eye on them from a distance to make sure they are still being cared for.

If the baby is in a dangerous location then you can move them to a nearby safer spot as long as their parents can still reach them. It is a myth that parent birds will abandon their young if handled by humans.

Signs there may be a problem:

• Obvious sign of injury like an open wound or broken limb.
• Nestlings with no feathers are too young to be out of the nest. If you know where the nest is and it is safe to do so, put the nestling back. If the parents do not return within an hour, or you cannot put back in the nest then see below for what action to take.

Who to contact:

If you have concerns contact a local wildlife rehabilitator.

If immediate action required:

• Prepare a small container, like a shoe box, with soft material like tissues and make sure there are air holes.
• Handle the baby bird very gently. Try to hold the wings against the body and support the feet.
• Put the container somewhere quiet and warm. Nestlings should be warm to the touch but not hot or panting.
• Do not offer food or water.

Bats are nocturnal so it is unusual to see them during the day or in busy buildings.

Signs there may be a problem:

• Found on the ground 
• Exposed during the day
• Trapped in the living area of a building
• Caught by a cat
• Baby bat on its own
• Obvious injury or trapped on flypaper/fishing hook

Who to contact:

The Bat Conservation Trust has a National Bat Helpline that can provide advice and contact details for local rehabilitators.

If immediate action required:

• Prepare a shoe box (or similar sized box) with ventilation holes and line with clean cloth or a tea towel.
• ALWAYS wear protective gloves and try not to handle the bat directly. If bitten or scratched, seek immediate medical advice.
• Try to capture the bat like you would a spider, placing the box over the top and then sliding the lid gently underneath.
• If that’s not possible, try to cover the bat with a clean cloth and scoop up to put in the box.
• You could include a plastic bottle cap, like a milk bottle cap, with a few drops of water
• Keep in a quiet safe location whilst seeking help.

Hedgehogs are mainly nocturnal and regular visitors to gardens in the evenings and early mornings. They hibernate November-mid March but can occasionally be seen out and about moving between nesting sites.

Signs there may be a problem:

• Obvious injuries like open wounds or trouble moving
• Seen out during the day, unsteady on their feet or lethargic with flies around them
• Very small hedgehogs (hoglets) seen out in the day without an adult or making a lot of noise.

Who to contact:

The British Hedgehog Preservation Society is a national organisation who can put you in touch with local hedgehog rehabilitators in your area - the main number for them is 01584 890 801.

If immediate action required:

• Prepare a high sided cardboard box with towels or scrunched up newspaper to allow the hedgehog to hide away.
• Using gardening gloves or some other form of protection, like a towel, pick up the hedgehog and put in the box.
• Keep the box indoors in a warm, quiet place with little disturbance. You can use a hot water bottle wrapped in a towel as a gentle heat source but fill it with warm water – not boiling – and make sure it doesn’t go cold as it can chill the hedgehog.
• You can place water and a small amount of wet cat or dog food in the box but don’t try to feed them directly.

Signs there may be a problem:

• Obvious sign of injury like an open wound or broken limb.
• Unable to move

Who to contact:

For larger animals and birds, contact the RSPCA.

For smaller animals (smaller than a rabbit), try your local vets or wildlife rehabilitator.

Immediate action:

• Prepare a cardboard box with ventilation holes and line with newspaper or a towel.
• Always wear gloves and be extra careful with handling wildlife as they can bite and scratch if scared.
• Put the animal in the box and keep in a quiet safe location whilst seeking help.