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These notes are designed for general members of the public and not trained rescuers who would approach and deal with a casualty differently. These notes are written in a specific order. Do not attempt to catch any casualty unless you are certain it is injured or sick. You may be committing an offence if you capture or move a healthy wild animal or bird.
When finding what you think is a casualty do not rush over and pick it up. If it is not obviously injured – as in you cannot see a wound – then keep your distance and observe to ensure it is not just sun-bathing, asleep or learning to fly. If you are not sure contact the wildlife rescue for advice.
If you know for sure that the casualty is injured then only approach the animal or bird if it is not dangerous or if you have experience or training in handling that type of species. We do not recommend that members of the public approach and attempt to handle species like badgers, foxes, deer, squirrels, swans, geese, gannets and seals as they can be dangerous to handle – report these to the wildlife rescue.
When you approach a casualty, do so slowly and talk at a normal and calm level, so that if it is just asleep or sun-bathing it will move and run off well before you get close. If the casualty does get up and move then back off and observe how well it moves – report this to the wildlife rescue.
If the casualty is small like a blackbird or hedgehog - as long as you are sure it is injured or ill - and you believe you can easily place a towel or coat over the casualty to capture it then do so. Do not pick up the casualty straight away. When capturing a casualty ensure you cover the whole body including the head as this will reduce fright and fear. If the casualty has been hit by a car it may have spinal damage and you should get the wildlife rescue to attend on site before moving the casualty – phone the wildlife rescue for further advice on this issue.
When lifting a casualty ensure it is not tangled or caught in any brambles, ivy, netting or line etc.
Wounds may start bleeding when you lift a casualty; hold a clean cloth firmly against the bleeding wound if safe to do so – if in doubt contact the wildlife rescue for advice.
Only transport a casualty if you have a suitable container to put the casualty in. Be aware that unconscious casualties may wake up during transportation and therefore should not be placed in the boot of your car, the footwell or passenger seat. Always use a suitable box or pet carrier. |
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| 1 |
Casualties caught in snares, netting etc |
| 2 |
Baby birds and fledglings |
| 3 |
Orphaned mammals |
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Young squirells |
| 5 |
Dog and cat attacked casualties |
| 6 |
Shot casualties |
| 7 |
Swans |
| 8 |
Foxes |
| 9 |
Ducks |
| 10 |
Stranded dolphins |
| 11 |
Badgers |
| 12 |
Moles |
| 14 |
Bats |
| 15 |
Further casualties not covered above |
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| Casualties caught in snares, netting etc |
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| If you come across a casualty caught in a snare, netting or other material which wraps tightly round the body or a limb then DO NOT cut it free and release it – you may end up killing it. Call the wildlife rescue as the casualty will need 48 hours observations to ensure no internal problems have been caused by the pressure of the snare, netting or other material. When pressure is released bleeding may occur – call the wildlife rescue for help. |
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| Baby birds and fledglings |
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A fledgling bird is one which has developed its main feathers and has lost most of its fluffy baby feathers. These birds should be left alone if they are out of their nests, as it is normal for them to jump out of their nests before they can fly. The parent birds will normally be around keeping an eye on their young. Parent birds will not always show themselves especially during the middle of hot summer days and when people are around. Bringing in baby or fledgling birds unnecessarily can reduce the chances of the birds surviving.
Only baby birds without proper feathers or those which are injured should be taken into care. If in doubt call the wildlife rescue first. |
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| Orphaned mammals |
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Do not touch any mammal which you think might be orphaned. Deer and foxes will leave their young in long grass or bushes in fields and gardens. Observe from a distance and call the wildlife rescue for further advice.
When disturbing nests of baby rabbits or other mammals, you should recover and leave alone, as the parents will normally return. |
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| Young squirrels |
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| Frequently during the spring young squirrels will be found away from their nests. If they are at the bottom of a tree you should leave alone and observe as they will be capable of climbing back up to the nest. If they are away from any trees then they may have become lost. Ring the wildlife rescue for advice before picking them up. |
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| Dog and cat attacked casualties |
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All cat attacked casualties should be taken to a veterinary centre as soon as possible for antibiotics. Cats teeth and claws carry bacteria which can cause septicaemia and eventual death. Regardless of whether you can see a wound or whether the casualty is lively it should be seen by a veterinary surgeon and receive antibiotics.
Both dogs and cats can cause severe internal injuries which you may not be able to see. Call the wildlife rescue for advice as soon as possible. |
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| Shot casualties |
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| Shot wounds are not easy to identify and they do not always leave puncture marks. If you suspect a casualty has been shot, handle it carefully in case of internal damage and get to a veterinary centre as soon as possible – Call the wildlife rescue for further assistance and advice. |
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| Swans |
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Swans will frequently rest a leg on their backs and swim just using one leg. They will do this for long periods of time even if disturbed. This is perfectly normal. If in doubt contact the wildlife rescue.
As swans like to feed off vegetation and sift through the silt at the bottom of ponds and rivers their heads and necks can become stained orange, brown or black depending on the local environment and types of river deposits. This is nothing to worry about but if in doubt call the wildlife rescue for advice.
Swans are extremely emotional creatures and will grieve for the loss of a partner or the loss of eggs. Dead swans should not be moved for at least 24 hours after death to ensure the partner has time to realize what has happened. The remaining partner should be observed to ensure they do not neglect themselves to the point of death. If in doubt contact the wildlife rescue.
Additional advice and information on swans can be obtained from the National Swan Sanctuary at Egham, Surrey on 01784-431667. |
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| Foxes |
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Sarcoptic Mange in foxes is fairly easy to treat on site and they do not always need to be caught. Foxes moult during the late spring early summer and this can sometimes be mistaken for Sarcoptic mange. Please see “Sarcoptic Mange” Section of website.
Foxes will leave their young in long grass or bushes in fields and gardens whilst they move them from one den to another. The vixen can only move one cub at a time so she will leave them where she feels is safe. Moving her young can take more than one night so some cubs may be left at half way locations during the daytime. These cubs should not be touched unless in immediate danger. Contact the wildlife rescue for further advice and assistance.
Many foxes are seen limping and quite often the damage is just a ligament or tendon problem. These conditions will quite often heal given 6-8 weeks. However, you can help support the fox by providing a temporary food source during this period using a good quality dog food. Suspected fractures and dislocations should be reported to the wildlife rescue for further assessment by phone.
Further advice and information on foxes can be obtained from the Fox Project on 01732-367397. |
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| Ducks |
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During the spring many female ducks are seen visiting gardens where they do not normally visit. These gardens quite often do not have ponds and are quiet often well away from ponds and rivers. Female mallard ducks will nest away from water to hide from other male mallards for safety.
Garden environments are normally safer for ducklings than park or wild ponds as cats are normally their only predator in a garden, whereas normally they will have cats, dogs, foxes, mink, stoats, pike, corvids and other creatures preying on them. For this reason ducklings are not normally moved from gardens.
Problems can occur when mum decides to walk her young to nearby ponds and streams. Her route can cross busy roads and other hazards. They normally only cross once but they have been known to attempt crossings on a daily basis. Report such incidents to the wildlife rescue for further advice. |
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| Stranded dolphins |
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When a dolphin becomes stranded on the beach it is important to contact British Divers Marine Life Rescue as soon as possible on 01825-765546 to get trained marine mammal medics on site as soon as possible.
Whilst waiting for them to arrive you should keep the dolphin in an up-right position, keep it wet by covering with sheets and pouring on water, plus dig out the sand or shingle below the fins either side so they point downwards as much as possible. Ensure you do not pour water over the blow hole on the top of the head. |
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| Badgers |
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These creatures can be very aggressive if approached. Badgers suffer from territorial bite wounds just above their tail. Badgers that have been involved in fights may try hiding in back gardens, in open sheds, stables and other quiet suitable places. If you find an injured badger do no approach it. Observe from a distance and call the wildlife rescue.
Further information on badgers casualties and problems with badgers contact the National Federation of Badger Groups on 0207-228-6444. |
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| Moles |
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| Mole casualties are occasionally found. They can die if left on their backs as they are unable to right themselves. Be careful handling them as they can bite. |
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| Bats |
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Use a cloth to pick up bats as you are less likely to cause them harm or get bitten. Juvenile bats may have got lost from mum and they can be placed next to the entrance of the roost if you know where the roost is.
Bats are specialist and protected species and should be dealt with by trained rescuers. Contact your local wildlife rescue for advice or your local bat worker.
Further information on bats is obtainable from The Bat Conservation Trust on 0207-627-2629. |
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| Further casualties not covered above |
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| Contact the wildlife rescue for advice. Please do not report casualty by e-mail – phone your local wildlife rescue as soon as possible if you have an injured casualty do no wait till the morning or following day. |
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