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Does This Animal Need Help?
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Be certain the animal is injured or orphaned. Watch and wait before
taking any action. With species such as deer and rabbits, the mother
may be nearby. If it is a feathered young bird hopping on the ground,
watch to make sure mother is around. If a bird has fallen out of a nest
and you can get to the nest, pick up the bird carefully and put it in
the nest (birds cannot smell you).
If a bird hits a window, check it for signs of injury such as bleeding,
head tilt, broken wing, etc. If it is injured, call the WRL Wildlife hotline immediately. If it appears to only be stunned, put it in a box
and wait for 2-3 hours. At the end of that time see if it will fly
away. If not, call the wildlife hotline.
If you handle the animal, take precautions for your safety and the
animal's. Handle birds and baby mammals with a towel or lightweight
jacket. Placing a towel over a bird will calm it. Birds and mammals
can carry diseases or parasites which can be transmitted to humans, but
in most cases safe handling techniques will prevent that. If you are
handling raccoons, skunks, woodchucks (groundhogs), skunks, or bats,
wear heavy gloves if possible.
Never attempt to capture an adult sick or
injured mammal. Call the wildlife hotline for advice.
Place the animal or bird in an appropriately-sized box with padding
inside (multi-layers of paper towels, or a soft towel or washcloth
without holes or strings) and air holes for ventilation. Keep the box
in a warm, dark, quiet place until ready to transport to a
rehabilitator. DO NOT give any food or water as the animal could drown,
die from shock, or have problems with the wrong food.
If you are not certain what to do, call the WRL Wildlife hotline: (703) 440-0800. The Hotline serves Northern Virginia and Washington, DC.
If you live outside these areas please see the Links page for assistance.
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