Written by Pauline Kidner
Charity Founder and Advisor
Spring has arrived! Some animals such as fawns and leverets (young hares) are left by their mothers while they forage and return to their young when they need feeding. However, if an animal appears injured, crying or in bad condition, action needs to be taken. Nocturnal animals out during the day or vice versa should alert suspicion. It is always a good idea to contact your nearest wildlife rescue centre for advice. Most garden birds are only three weeks from hatching out to being fully fledged and leaving the nest. However, there is a period of 48 hours while they practice flying and building up the muscles in their wings. During this time, they are very vulnerable, but the parents are not far away and will continue to feed them. They should only be picked up if there is a risk of traffic or injury by human actions. Predation is sadly very much part of life in the wild and a source of food for predators.
Creatures that are prey animals have the ability, through stress, to create natural anaesthetics so that they don’t feel pain in the way that we expect them to when eaten. It’s like the ‘golden’ hour we humans experience in traumatic experiences. Being picked up by a human, as far as they are concerned means they have been predated and this process begins the more the animal is handled and looked at. This is why so many young birds and mammals die within 24 hours of being ‘rescued’ and it is so difficult to reverse. It is easy to identify predator from prey creatures. Predators have eyes looking forward (like us!) and creatures have eyes on the side of their heads allowing them to see forwards, sideways and backwards allowing action when in danger.
Do’s and don’ts!
Do take time to assess the situation before taking action.
Do keep a number on your phone of where you can get help.
Do take a photo that you can send when contacting a wildlife rescue centre and take clear details of where you are, as adult animals should always go back to where they have come from. Video is even more useful as this shows normal behaviour and how urgent the rescue is.
Don’t panic and ensure that your actions aren’t going to endanger you or anyone else.
Do remember that animals don’t understand that you are trying to help them – even the smallest mouse can bite!
Don’t feed the casualty but offer water for them to drink if they are conscious.
Do make sure if putting a casualty in a box that it is secure. If a small rodent or bat, put it in a pillowcase, gather the end and secure by placing a rubber band or tie string around the neck. They can breathe through the material. If transporting a snake, again put it in a pillowcase but once you have gathered the end, bend it over and then secure so they can’t push through.
Do put the casualty somewhere warm, dark and quiet while you are trying to get help.
Do keep away from children, dogs and household noises such as a radio.
Do always have a dish of fresh water in your garden for wildlife.
Do support feed wildlife if you want to but only occasionally or small amounts so that animals don’t become dependent on you as a food source.
By caring and contacting help for the casualty
By donating you can ensure that the work will continue