What to do

Even the best-intentioned rescue can be dangerous. Frightened animals may bite, kick, or scratch. 

 

Many wild creatures also carry diseases and parasites that can affect humans. 

 

• Always wear protective gloves and wash carefully after handling wildlife. 

• Leave it alone if a bird or mammal is sick or acting strangely. 

• Keep people and pets away.

• Call for knowledgeable advice and trained assistance.

​Springtime is the busiest season at AWI because of the large number of newborn or newly hatched wildlife that people encounter. 

 

If you find a baby bird or mammal that appears to be in distress, here are a few general DO’s and DON’Ts to guide you:

 

DO HELP:

• if there is an obvious injury (blood, broken bone, difficulty moving)

• if a cat, dog, or child brought the baby home

• if you know the baby to have been alone for at least two days

• if you find the parent bird or mammal dead nearby

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DON’T HELP:

• a baby bird that can hop, run, or fly short distances

• a baby bird whose parents are seen nearby

• a baby mammal you have not watched for several hours

• any mammal that is unusually tame, aggressive, or uncoordinated (call your regional government authority)

 

If present, its parents are the best guardians of a healthy wildlife baby. Don’t rush to intervene. Sometimes parents leave their young for several hours while foraging. ‘Rescuing’ a baby you don’t know to be abandoned could be very harmful.