If you think you’ve found an orphaned or injured wild animal, what should you do? What should you not do? We know that it’s natural to want to help. Here are a few things you should know about how to keep the animal safe and avoid breaking the law.
Survey the scene
Stop and notice your surroundings. Look for a cause of injury. Do you see any fallen nests on the ground? Was there a recent wind or strong storm that moved through?
Most of the time, the best thing to do is to leave the animal alone, but you’ll know a wild animal needs help if it has a visible broken limb, is bleeding, shivering or has a deceased parent nearby.
Baby birds: Nestlings and fledglings
If you find a baby bird, it likely does not need your help unless it is featherless or has its eyes closed. These birds are nestlings and aren’t ready to leave the nest yet. If you can locate the nest nearby, the best thing to do is simply place the nestling back in the nest. If you cannot locate the nest, leave the nestling where you found it or move it to a shaded area. The parents will come back. Don’t worry, your scent won’t deter the parents.
If you find a baby bird, do not immediately pick it up or remove it, as it is likely a fledgling learning to fly and its parents are nearby. Do not give it food or water, do not keep it as a pet, and do not assume it is abandoned.
Key Actions to Avoid
- Do Not Feed or Hydrate: Never give a baby bird water or food, as this can easily lead to drowning or improper feeding, causing death.
- Do Not Remove Fledglings: If the bird has most of its feathers, can hop, and is not in immediate danger (e.g., in a road, near a cat), leave it alone.
- Do Not Take It Home: It is illegal to keep wild birds as pets. Caring for them requires specialized knowledge, and they have a higher chance of survival with their parents.
- Do Not Panic Over Scent: You can touch a baby bird to return it to its nest (if it is a featherless nestling), as parents will not abandon it due to human scent.
- Do Not Use Inappropriate Nests: If making a makeshift nest, do not use fresh leaves or grass, which can stay damp and cause illness. Use dry materials like paper towels or straw
Finding a licensed rehabilitator
If an animal truly needs help, you’ll need to find a licensed wildlife rehabilitator. The following is the link to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection website:
//dep.nj.gov/njfw/wildliferehabberlocator/
Other Resources:
The Raptor Trust in Millington NJ provides extensive information on their website under the Resources Heading. The infirmary team is available to admit injured birds by appointment, seven days a week. Raptor Trust depends on people who discover them to bring the birds to them for care. If you’ve found an injured bird, please contact the infirmary at (908) 647-2353 to schedule an appointment.
Franklin Lakes Animal Hospital has wildlife team members. If you have found an injured or orphaned wild animal, please call the animal hospital at 201-848-1991 and speak to one of the wildlife team members. Team members are available Monday-Friday from 9am – 5pm. They will advise you on your next step in helping this injured or orphaned animal.
//franklinlakesanimalhospital.com/
Local Animal Control
Contact your Town’s Police Department non-emergency number to report your finding and referral to the Animal Control Officer. Animal control may bring it to the Raptor Trust, another rehabber or humanely euthanize if there are severe injuries.
