Wildlife First Aid
From Wild Warwickshire
It is always distressing to see a wild animal or bird in pain especially when there is something we could do about it. Over the years I have cared for a Starling, several Wood pigeons, a Blackbird, a House Sparrow and a Hedgehog. Of all of these only the Hedgehog and Starling made a full recovery.
The difficulty is that if you are able to approach any wild creature it must be in a pretty serious condition in the first place to allow you to do so. In most cases the care I offered was purely palliative. I made them comfortable gave them warmth food and water and allowed them to die in peace.
This might seem rather doom and gloomy but there are ways in which you can help. There are several books on the market offering advice and hundreds websites. Whenever you find an injured animal professional help from a Wildlife Sanctuary like Secret World or a local Vet is invaluable.
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[edit] Birds
Birds have a high pain threshold and most deaths occur due to shock. The best advice for non serious injuries is to keep the bird warm and quiet, once recovered from its initial shock it is likely fly away. Your role is to protect it during its vulnerable state.
Catching injured birds can cause even greater stress to your patient. The best approach is to throw a lightweight cloth of sheet over them. The darkness subdues them. Then carefully pick them up with a hand on either side of the bird pinning the birds wings to its sides in a naturally closed position. Once in the hand you can do a quick inspection - check each wing for breaks and look at beak and legs.
If you think the bird will recover with rest and warmth, find an open sided box. Fill it with old towels or clothes. Provide water and food and leave the bird alone. This way the bird can fly off when it starts to feel better.
[edit] When to Assist
- When a bird cannot stand
- The leg is injured
- Cannot fly
- Damaged Beak
- Featherless Orphan
- Caught in fishing wire
[edit] When not to Assist
- Bird standing on one leg
- An apparently orphaned juvenile/chick
- A bird that can fly
- Any bird with only one eye
- WHEN A RESCUE WOULD ENDANGER YOU OR OTHERS
[edit] Mammals
Mammals are very secretive in Britain and if an injured animal allows you to approach it then it is nearly on deaths door or requires specialist medical care. Most injuries are the result of road accidents. Any animal hit by a car should be seen by a vet to assess the possibility of internal damage. Smaller mammals such as Squirrels and Hedgehogs are easier to handle but be warned that all mammals can bite. Infection of any wounds are the biggest risk to the recovery of an animal.
[edit] When to Assist
- Hit by a car
- Animal can be approached (not hedgehogs)
- Legs are damaged
- Open wounds visible
- Caught in snare or fence
- An apparent orphan showing an injury
- Hedgehog out in the say or asleep away from its nest
- Rabbit with swollen eyes.
- Fox with mange
- Badger out in the day and with other symptoms.
- Bat that cannot fly
[edit] When not to Assist
- Any orphan without an injury - the parents are likely to be close by even if you can't see them.
- Hedgehog in its nest
- WHEN A RESCUE WOULD ENDANGER YOU OR OTHERS
[edit] How to avoid stressing an Animal
DON'T handle the animal unnecessarily DON'T look it straight in the eyes DON'T put it near any other animal of another species DON'T make loud noises DO keeps its cage covered DO keep it warm but not hot DO give an orphan a cuddly toy as a surrogate mother.
[edit] What to feed an injured animal
- Rodents - uncooked oats, fruit and seeds
- Shrews - maggots
- Bats and Moles - mealworms
- Hedgehogs - tinned dog or cat food
- Squirrels - Peanuts
All larger animals should be cared for by a professional.
