Wildlife Rescue Centre

Many people upon seeing an injured or seriously ill animal wish to help it, regardless of whether it is a wild animal or a pet. However, wild animals are a part of nature, where unique rules apply. Life in nature sometimes is merciless and brutal, but by attempting to interfere in it we may worsen the current situation.

Diseases and death are a natural part of life, however, in nature nothing ends with the death of a single animal. A weak or ill animal becomes the prey for the predator and its food, which allows it to feed itself and its young. By saving a single weakened animal we can cause harm to another, healthy and fit member of the same ecosystem.

Therefore, the purpose of saving a wild animal must be to alleviate the damage of human activity, thus reducing our own impact to nature and not increasing it.

Wild animals hide symptoms of pain and illness, this helps them protect themselves from predators in their natural environment. Because of this it is often hard to notice when they need assistance, however all animals give certain signs, which aid in understanding when we should be concerned about their condition:

• Obvious wounds or bleeding are visible.
• If a small animal (a mammal or a bird) where caught by a dog or a cat there is always a chance the wound will be infected, even if the wounds appear small.
• The animal does not move when you approach them. It is normal for healthy adult birds to rest on the ground, but they should still flee or fly away if approached. Other animals usually hide from humans and run away as soon as they approach. If the animal does not run away when you approach, there is a good chance that it is sick or injured.
• The bird’s feathers appear fluffy. Birds fluff out during the cold season of the year, preserving their body heat in this way. However, if the bird has fluffed out its feathers when it is warm then it is a sign that the bird is feeling poorly.
• The animal’s balance and coordination are disturbed, it limps and walks abnormally.
• Laboured, unusually deep or frequent breathing is often a sign of pain. It is worth noting that breathing of animals increases at high air temperature as well.
• The animal is surrounded by flies, larvae can be seen on the body, many ticks or other parasites.
• The animal is standing hunched over – this is one of the main signs of pain in the abdominal area.

Most of the birds that are found in humans are already almost self-sufficient. These are birds that have left their nest and are supervised by their parents, who do not yet know how to fly fully, but they do not need our help. Independent chicks can stand firmly on their feet, jump or run, and grab a branch with their toes. These birds usually have some feathers on their entire body, can fly short distances, but cannot fly fully. Usually, such birds leave the nest and do not return to it, so such a chick should not be  returned to the nest, it will still jump out of it. If you notice such a chick, you should make sure that your pets do not pose a threat to the bird, and if you are sure that the baby bird is in an unsafe place, it can be moved to a nearby bush or tree branch.

     If the baby bird is not yet fully covered with feathers, the spots of bare skin are visible, is covered with fuzz, can not stand firmly on its legs, much less walk, hop and completely cannot fly, then such a chick needs help. If you find such a chick on the ground, then it is very likely that its nest is nearby. If you can find a nest (it can be well hidden), return the bird back as soon as possible. Don’t worry – the bird’s parents don’t recognise the chicks by smell, and they don’t abandon their chick if touched by a human. If the nest has been destroyed, you can make a new, artificial nest, and place it in the place of the former nest or next to it. Put the chick back and see if the parents come back.

If the parents of the chick do not return to the nest, the baby bird can not be returned to its former nest. If it is injured, or for other reasons you are absolutely sure that the chick needs help, notify the emergency services by phoning 112. If a sick, injured or unable to survive independently baby bird needs urgent help, veterinary surgeons of the LSMU Wildlife Rescue Centre are on duty 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and are ready to consult by phone or accept injured  animals for treatment and care as well as their injured young.