Every year, many healthy young animals are taken from their parents by people trying to help. Wild parents are usually nearby, watching. Before you act, ask these questions.
Baby birds
- Naked or fluffy with few feathers (nestling): it has fallen from the nest. If you can see the nest, gently put it back — parents will not reject it because you touched it. If not, make a substitute nest from a small basket lined with dry grass, fixed in the same tree.
- Feathered, hopping, can grip your finger (fledgling): this is normal. It is learning to fly and the parents still feed it. Leave it, and keep cats and dogs indoors for a few days.
Young mammals
Many mammals leave their young alone for most of the day to avoid attracting predators. Watch from a distance for several hours.
It needs help if…
- It is injured, bleeding or has a visibly broken limb
- It was caught by a cat or dog (even without visible wounds — cat saliva causes deadly infections)
- It is cold, weak, covered in flies or insects
- A parent is found dead nearby
- It has been crying continuously for hours
If so, follow our guide I found an injured bird or wild animal.