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There are some simple,
but important, things you can do after finding wildlife that
is injured. Make sure that baby animals are really in trouble.
If you are not sure their parents are nearby,
then call us for advice. Protect yourself when attempting
capture. Cover the animals eyes with a blanket or towel before
picking them up and, make sure they are in a secure container
with ventilation when transporting them. Never put them near
your face.
Then follow these five rules:
• Keep the animal warm, 80-90 degrees.
• Don't feed it or give it fluids
• Keep it in a secure, dark container or
kennel.
• Stay quiet around it and don't constantly
look at the bird.
• Get it to a rehabilitation hospital as
quickly as possible.
• Never keep the animal or try to treat it
yourself!
There are good reasons for following these basic
rules. Most wildlife that is injured or sick enough to be
caught is in serious trouble already. You can assume that
without medical intervention the animal will die. It may be
in shock, a life-threatening condition. The first avenue of
treatment for shock is warmth and quiet. Animals in shock
need to be stabilized by a professional wildlife rehabilitator
or a vet.
Sick and injured animals might not look like
they are in trouble. They instinctively hide their true condition
for survival purposes, because the weak animal is the first
preyed upon in the wild. It will do everything to convince
you it is OK, mainly because it views you as a predator and
thinks you are going to kill it. Wild animals can die from
stress; constantly looking at it, holding it, or trying to
"comfort" it only stresses it more.
Keeping a wild animal dark, quiet and alone gives
it a sense of being hidden, making it feel safer. Darkness
encourages young birds to sleep, slowing down their metabolism
and saving precious calories.
Holding onto the animal and thinking you can
treat it yourself may be a death sentence for it. It's also
illegal in most cases to keep wild animals as they are protected
by federal and state laws. Bring the animal to IBRRC as soon
as possible, or call us, so we can refer you to an appropriate
facility near you.
IBRRC Headquarters
San Francisco Bay Oiled Wildlife Care and Education Center
4369 Cordelia Road
Suisun, CA 94585
Phone: 707/207-0380
Directions to
Northern California center
IBRRC–Southern California
Los Angeles Oiled Bird Care and Education Center
3601 South Gaffey
San Pedro, CA 90731
Phone: 310-514-2573
Directions to
Southern California center
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