Wildlife Disease and Biosecurity

Protecting wildlife, people and domestic animals

Wild animals can carry infectious diseases and parasites, even when they appear healthy. Some illnesses spread between animals through direct contact, contaminated food and water, droppings, equipment or the environment.

Good biosecurity helps reduce the risk of disease spreading between wildlife, domestic animals, people and other animals in care.

At CapesWildlifeRescue, biosecurity is an important part of wildlife welfare. Members of the public can also help protect wildlife by avoiding unnecessary handling, maintaining good hygiene and seeking advice when an animal appears unwell.

If you find sick or injured wildlife, avoid unnecessary contact and seek appropriate advice before handling or transporting the animal.

1. What is wildlife disease?

Wildlife can be affected by a range of infectious and non-infectious conditions, including:

• Viral diseases: infections caused by viruses.

• Bacterial infections: illnesses caused by bacteria, sometimes following wounds or other injuries.

• Fungal infections: conditions that can affect the skin, feathers or other tissues.

• Parasitic infections: caused by external parasites, such as ticks and mites, or internal parasites, such as worms.

• Environmental illness: problems associated with toxins, pollution, contaminated water or unsuitable living conditions.

Not every sick animal has an infectious disease, and visible symptoms alone cannot reliably identify the cause.

2. Signs that wildlife may be unwell

Wild animals often hide signs of illness because appearing vulnerable can increase their risk from predators.

Seek advice from a wildlife rescue or veterinary professional if you notice an animal displaying any of the following signs:

• Unusual weakness, lethargy or reduced responsiveness.

• Difficulty standing, walking or flying.

• Laboured, noisy or otherwise abnormal breathing.

• Discharge from the eyes, nostrils or mouth.

• Diarrhoea or abnormal droppings.

• Visible wounds, swelling or unexplained skin changes.

• Significant weight loss or a poor body condition.

• Heavy parasite burdens, fly eggs or maggots.

• Unusual neurological signs, such as circling, tremors or loss of coordination.

These signs can have many different causes. Do not attempt to diagnose or treat the animal yourself.

An animal that is struggling to breathe, barely responsive, severely injured or showing sudden neurological abnormalities needs urgent professional assessment.

3. How can disease spread between animals?

Infectious diseases can spread in several ways.

Direct contact

Animals may transmit infections through physical contact, bites, scratches, secretions or close interaction.

Contaminated food and water

Shared feeding stations, water dishes and contaminated food can allow pathogens to spread between animals.

Droppings and bodily fluids

Faeces, urine, saliva, respiratory secretions and other bodily fluids may contaminate surfaces, soil, bedding and equipment.

Contaminated equipment

Carriers, feeding utensils, towels, gloves and cleaning equipment can transfer infectious material between animals if they are not handled and cleaned appropriately.

People, clothing and footwear

People can inadvertently transfer contaminated material between locations on their hands, clothing, footwear or equipment.

Parasites and the environment

Ticks, mites, fleas and some other parasites can transmit infectious organisms. Certain pathogens can also survive in the environment for varying periods, depending on the organism and conditions.

Good biosecurity reduces these risks, although no single precaution eliminates them completely.

4. How to handle wildlife safely

Wild animals should only be handled when necessary, such as when they are injured, trapped or in immediate danger.

Unnecessary handling can stress an animal, worsen injuries and increase the risk of disease transmission.

How to reduce risk

• Observe wildlife from a safe distance whenever possible.

• Keep children and domestic pets away from sick or injured animals.

• Wear suitable disposable gloves when handling an animal, if handling is necessary and safe.

• Wash your hands thoroughly after contact.

• Avoid touching your face while handling wildlife.

• Cover any cuts or broken skin before contact.

• Avoid handling animals that may pose a particular risk, including bats and animals behaving abnormally.

• Seek professional advice before transporting wildlife.

Gloves do not replace handwashing, and they must be changed appropriately between animals or contaminated tasks.

If you are bitten or scratched, wash the area thoroughly with soap and running water and seek medical advice, particularly for deep wounds, injuries to the hands or face, or wounds that become red, swollen or painful.

5. Cleaning and disinfecting equipment

Cleaning and disinfection are important for reducing the risk of disease transmission.

Cleaning removes visible dirt and organic material. Disinfection uses an appropriate product to reduce or inactivate susceptible microorganisms. Disinfection is less effective when surfaces have not been cleaned properly first.

Good hygiene practices

• Remove visible dirt, droppings, food and bedding before disinfection.

• Use a suitable disinfectant according to its label and intended application.

• Follow the specified dilution, contact time and safety instructions.

• Rinse surfaces where required by the product instructions.

• Allow equipment to dry before reuse where appropriate.

• Keep cleaning equipment separate from food preparation equipment.

• Clean and disinfect carriers, feeding dishes and reusable equipment after use.

• Never mix cleaning chemicals.

Different pathogens require different disinfectants, and not every product is effective against every organism. If a particular disease is suspected, seek specialist guidance on the appropriate cleaning procedure.

Keep disinfectants and other chemicals away from wildlife, food, drinking water and areas where animals may come into contact with residues.

6. Preventing disease at garden feeding stations

Bird feeders, bird baths and wildlife feeding areas can bring animals into close contact and increase the risk of disease spreading.

How to help

• Clean bird feeders and water dishes regularly.

• Remove wet, mouldy or spoiled food promptly.

• Prevent large amounts of food and droppings accumulating beneath feeders.

• Avoid overcrowding at feeding stations.

• Replace drinking water frequently.

• Clean feeding equipment before moving it to another location.

• Stop feeding temporarily if birds appear sick or several birds die around the same feeding area.

If you suspect a disease outbreak, seek advice from an appropriate wildlife organisation or veterinary professional before restarting feeding.

7. What if I find several sick or dead wild animals?

Finding multiple sick or dead animals in the same area may indicate a disease outbreak, poisoning, contamination or another environmental hazard.

Do not assume the cause or attempt to investigate by handling the animals.

What should you do?

1. Keep people and pets away from the area.

2. Avoid touching or moving the animals.

3. Note the location, number of animals and any visible signs.

4. Take photographs from a safe distance if it is safe to do so.

5. Contact an appropriate wildlife organisation or veterinary professional for advice.

6. Report the incident to the relevant authority if advised or if a notifiable disease or significant environmental incident is suspected.

For multiple dead wild birds in Great Britain, current government guidance explains when and how to report suspected avian influenza. Do not handle dead wild birds while seeking advice.

If there is a suspected chemical spill, dangerous substance or immediate public safety risk, contact the appropriate emergency or environmental authority.

8. Important diseases affecting wildlife

Different species can be affected by different diseases. Examples include:

Avian influenza

Avian influenza is a viral disease that can affect wild birds and poultry. Some infected birds may show respiratory or neurological signs, while others may be found dead without obvious warning signs.

Avoid touching sick or dead wild birds and follow current official reporting guidance if you find multiple dead birds or suspect an outbreak.

Trichomonosis in garden birds

Trichomonosis is an infectious disease that can affect certain bird species, particularly finches and pigeons. It may cause difficulty swallowing, breathing problems or visible material around the mouth.

If you notice several birds with these signs at a feeding station, stop feeding temporarily, clean equipment thoroughly and seek advice.

Hedgehog parasites and infections

Hedgehogs may be affected by internal parasites, ticks, mites, bacterial infections and other conditions. Weakness, respiratory signs, diarrhoea, wounds or a heavy parasite burden may indicate a need for assessment.

Do not assume that all symptoms are caused by parasites or attempt treatment without professional advice.

Wildlife affected by poisoning

Wildlife can be exposed to rodenticides, pesticides, garden chemicals and other toxins. Signs vary according to the substance and the degree of exposure.

If poisoning is suspected, seek urgent professional advice. Do not touch the substance, administer home remedies or attempt to induce vomiting.

These examples are not a complete list of wildlife diseases. Suspected cases should be assessed according to the species, symptoms and circumstances.

9. Protecting domestic animals

Domestic pets can encounter wildlife, contaminated water, droppings and parasites.

To reduce avoidable risks:

• Keep pets away from sick or dead wildlife.

• Prevent pets from accessing contaminated food or water.

• Maintain appropriate veterinary preventive care.

• Clean pet bowls and equipment separately from wildlife equipment.

• Seek veterinary advice if a pet has eaten a wild animal or has had contact with a suspected toxin or infectious disease.

Do not use products intended for domestic pets on wild animals unless specifically directed by an appropriately qualified veterinary professional.

10. What should I do if I suspect a zoonotic disease?

A zoonotic disease is an infection that can pass between animals and people.

The risk varies considerably depending on the disease, species and type of exposure. Most encounters with wildlife do not automatically result in illness, but sensible precautions are important.

If you have handled a sick wild animal:

• Wash your hands thoroughly.

• Clean any contaminated equipment appropriately.

• Avoid further contact until you have received advice.

• Seek medical advice if you develop symptoms or have concerns about a particular exposure.

• Tell the healthcare professional which animal was involved and what contact occurred.

Bats require particular caution because of the risk associated with bat lyssaviruses. Do not handle a bat with bare hands. If you have been bitten, scratched or had direct contact that may have exposed you to bat saliva, wash the affected area thoroughly and seek urgent medical advice.

11. What should I do if I find sick or injured wildlife?

If an animal appears unwell or injured:

1. Keep your distance and avoid unnecessary contact.

2. Keep children and pets away.

3. Do not attempt to feed, medicate or treat the animal.

4. Contact a suitable wildlife rescue or veterinary practice for advice.

5. If there are multiple sick or dead animals, mention this when reporting the situation.

6. Follow professional guidance on containment, transport and hygiene.

If the animal is barely responsive, struggling to breathe or severely injured, seek urgent veterinary advice.

Some species require specialist care, and not every wildlife rescue can admit every animal.

Can CapesWildlifeRescue help?

CapesWildlifeRescue assesses and rehabilitates selected wild animals that are sick, injured or otherwise in need of assistance, subject to our species policy, facilities and current capacity.

Where an animal may have an infectious disease, appropriate assessment and biosecurity precautions are important to protect the patient, other animals in care, staff and volunteers.

We may need to refer certain cases to a veterinary practice, specialist rescue or relevant authority.

Please contact us before bringing an animal to the rescue. All admissions must be discussed and authorised in advance.

When contacting us, please provide:

• The species, if known.

• Where the animal was found.

• The signs of illness or injury.

• Whether other animals nearby appear affected.

• Whether several animals have been found sick or dead.

• Any suspected exposure to chemicals, poisoned bait or other hazards.

• A photograph taken from a safe distance, if available.

Please do not transport an animal that may present a significant biosecurity risk without first receiving advice.

Protecting wildlife through responsible biosecurity

Biosecurity is not just for wildlife rescues and veterinary practices. Simple precautions at home, in gardens and when encountering wildlife can help reduce the spread of disease.

Avoid unnecessary handling, maintain clean feeding areas, use appropriate cleaning products and seek professional advice when animals appear unwell.

Protecting one animal also means considering the health of the wildlife around it. Good biosecurity helps reduce preventable harm and supports healthier wildlife populations.