Keeping Wildlife Safe
Advice for anyone who finds a wild animal in need of help
Finding a wild animal that appears injured, unwell or vulnerable can be worrying. Knowing how to respond can make a significant difference to its welfare and chances of recovery.
At CapesWildlifeRescue, our priority is the welfare of the animals in our care. Until advice can be provided or an admission arranged, there are several important steps you can take to help keep an animal safe.
The most important rule is to avoid causing unnecessary stress or disturbance. Wild animals can become extremely frightened around people, and handling them unnecessarily can worsen their condition.
1. Observe Before Intervening
Not every wild animal found alone or on the ground needs rescuing. Young animals are often left alone while their parents forage, and some species naturally spend time resting in exposed places.
Before intervening, consider the circumstances.
Observe the animal from a safe distance.
Look for obvious injuries, bleeding, difficulty breathing or an inability to stand.
Check whether the animal is in immediate danger from traffic, people, domestic animals or other hazards.
Avoid repeatedly approaching, touching or chasing the animal.
Contact a wildlife rescue for advice if you are unsure whether intervention is necessary.
If an animal is in immediate danger, explain the circumstances when you contact us so that we can advise you appropriately.
2. Contact Us Before Taking Action
If you believe an animal needs assistance, please contact CapesWildlifeRescue before bringing it to our site.
Our team will triage the situation, either during your initial contact or by calling you back as soon as a Wildlife Emergency Responder is available.
During triage, we will assess the information you provide and advise you on the most appropriate next steps.
Please do not bring an animal to our site without prior authorisation. If admission is appropriate, we will agree an arrival time and provide the necessary location details.
If you cannot reach us and the animal is seriously injured or in immediate danger, seek advice from another appropriate wildlife rescue or veterinary practice rather than leaving it without help.
3. Safe Handling and Containment
If we advise you to contain an animal, or immediate intervention is necessary to protect it from danger, handling should be kept to a minimum.
Where it is safe and appropriate to do so:
Use a suitable, secure, ventilated cardboard box or animal carrier.
Ensure the container is large enough to avoid cramping the animal but not so large that it can injure itself by struggling.
Line the container with a clean, soft, non-looped towel or suitable absorbent material where appropriate for the species.
Keep the container somewhere quiet, dim and away from people and pets.
Ensure there is adequate ventilation and that the animal cannot escape.
Wash your hands thoroughly after any contact.
Different species have different handling requirements. Birds, hedgehogs, mammals and reptiles should not all be contained in the same way.
Never put yourself at risk to rescue an animal. Do not handle bats, birds of prey, foxes or other animals that may bite, scratch or carry infectious diseases unless you have received appropriate guidance and can do so safely.
Do not use airtight containers, sealed bags or containers that can overheat.
4. Keep the Animal Warm, Quiet and Undisturbed
Injured, exhausted or very young animals may struggle to regulate their body temperature. However, overheating can be just as dangerous as becoming too cold.
Keep the animal in a quiet, sheltered environment.
Minimise handling, noise, bright lights and unnecessary observation.
Keep children and domestic pets away.
Avoid placing a container in direct sunlight or near radiators.
Do not apply direct heat, hot-water bottles or heat pads unless specifically advised and able to prevent burns or overheating.
Follow species-specific advice from the rescue team.
If an animal is wet, cold, struggling to breathe or severely injured, tell us during triage. Its condition may affect the advice we give you.
5. Do Not Feed or Give Water Unless Advised
One of the most common mistakes when helping wildlife is offering food or water without knowing what the animal needs.
Please do not feed, syringe-feed or give water to a wild animal unless you have been advised to do so by an appropriately qualified or experienced person.
Inappropriate feeding can cause choking, aspiration, digestive problems or further deterioration. Some animals also require specific diets, feeding techniques or medical stabilisation before food can safely be offered.
Avoid giving:
Cow's milk or other unsuitable milk substitutes.
Bread, biscuits or other human foods.
Food intended for a different species.
Medication, supplements or home remedies without appropriate guidance.
Do not pour water into an animal's mouth or attempt to syringe-feed a weak, unconscious, struggling or unresponsive animal.
Our team will advise you on feeding and hydration where necessary.
6. Keep Domestic Animals Away
Dogs and cats can cause serious injuries to wildlife, even when the injury is not immediately visible.
If a wild animal has been caught by a cat or bitten by a dog, please tell us during triage. Small puncture wounds can be difficult to see, and prompt veterinary assessment may be necessary.
Keep pets away from the animal and do not allow them to sniff, lick or investigate its container.
If an animal is still outside, avoid chasing it or allowing pets to corner it.
7. Important Advice for Young Animals
Young wildlife is frequently brought into rescue unnecessarily. However, some young animals can also be extremely vulnerable and may require urgent help.
Baby birds
A fully feathered fledgling on the ground may be learning to fly and may still be fed by its parents. If it is in a safe location and shows no signs of injury, observe it from a distance and seek advice if you are unsure.
A nestling with few or no feathers, or a bird that is cold, injured or in immediate danger, may need intervention.
Where safe and practical, a healthy nestling that has fallen from a nest can often be returned to its nest. Seek advice first if it is injured, cold or weak.
Young mammals
Young rabbits, hares, deer and other mammals may spend time alone while their parents remain nearby. Their behaviour varies considerably by species, so an apparently abandoned animal should not automatically be removed.
Observe from a distance and contact a wildlife rescue if you have concerns.
Hedgehog hoglets
Very small hedgehogs, hoglets found exposed during the day, or those that appear weak, cold, injured or distressed may need urgent assessment. Avoid repeatedly disturbing a nest or separating young from their mother without appropriate advice.
If you are unsure, contact us before intervening. A short conversation can help prevent unnecessary disturbance or separation.
8. If You Find an Injured Animal
If an animal is bleeding, unable to stand, struggling to breathe, having seizures, severely weak or suffering an obvious injury, seek help promptly.
Keep a safe distance until you know how best to approach.
Avoid unnecessary handling or movement.
Do not attempt to straighten broken limbs, manipulate wings or remove embedded objects.
Do not administer human medication or veterinary medicines without appropriate professional direction.
Contact a wildlife rescue or veterinary practice for advice as soon as possible.
If the animal is in immediate danger or appears critically unwell, make this clear when seeking help.
9. Preparing for an Arranged Admission
If CapesWildlifeRescue agrees to admit the animal, please follow the instructions provided by our team.
Before travelling:
Keep the animal securely contained as advised.
Do not change its feeding, treatment or handling arrangements unless instructed.
Make a note of where the animal was found and the circumstances surrounding the discovery.
Take photographs of the original location or the animal if this can be done safely and without causing further disturbance.
Attend at the agreed time and follow the directions provided.
On arrival, please press the doorbell and wait in the designated admissions area. A member of our team will come out to receive the animal, and you will be asked to complete and sign an admissions form.
Please do not enter our animal accommodation or treatment areas without permission.
10. Protecting Yourself and Other Wildlife
Wild animals may carry parasites or infections, and some can cause significant injuries when frightened.
Always prioritise your own safety.
Wash your hands after handling an animal or its container.
Avoid direct contact with blood, bodily fluids, faeces and other discharges.
Use suitable protective equipment where appropriate.
Never attempt to handle an animal beyond your experience or ability.
Keep equipment used for one animal separate from domestic animal items and other wildlife.
Follow professional advice if you have been bitten, scratched or exposed to potentially infectious material.
If you have been bitten or scratched, seek appropriate medical advice, particularly after contact with a bat or an unfamiliar mammal.
Our Commitment to Wildlife
At CapesWildlifeRescue, we believe that wild animals belong in the wild. Our aim is to provide appropriate care and rehabilitation with the intention of returning animals to their natural environment wherever possible and in their best interests.
The right intervention at the right time can make a real difference. Sometimes, the best thing you can do is leave an animal undisturbed; at other times, prompt assistance is essential.
If you are concerned about an animal, please contact our team for advice.
Found an animal that needs help?
Contact CapesWildlifeRescue before attempting unnecessary handling or travelling to our site. We will assess the circumstances and help you determine the most appropriate next steps.