Injured Animals

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What to do if you find an Injured Animal

When you find an injured animal, if at all possible:

1. place it in a warm, dark, quiet place - such as a cardboard box or carrier - with a paper towel or cloth towel on the bottom. You do not need to put air holes in the box, the animal will be able to breathe, just close the lid. Try to keep it as stable and calm as possible for transport.

NOTE: Many people, with the best of intentions pick up baby birds in the spring thinking they need assistance. If you come across a baby bird that appears to have fallen out of it's nest, see if the nest is near and return it to the nest. The mother will not reject it. Most baby birds, while learning to fly, fall out of the nest and flop around in their attempts. The parents are usually close by helping them to learn. Depending on the species, a baby bird can take anywhere from 3 to 5 days to learn to fly! The approach of humans may send the parents into hiding, but if you stop and observe the situation for awhile you will most likely see a return of the parents soon after you leave the immediate area, depending on whether they think the threat has abated. Some parents will not leave and will try to protect their fledgling from you. If the fledgling is not in immediate danger, for example, from a cat or hawk, then let the parents take care of it. If the parents do not return to the fledgling after a reasonable amount of time and the fledgling appear to be in danger then follow the procedures here for rescuing an injured animal.

2. Do not offer it food or water, as this may result in further injuries or problems.

3. The animal will be in shock - even though it may seem okay. Their desire to survive is very strong and as humans are perceived as a threat they will use all their energy in order to appear strong even if they are severely injured. If a person is able to get close to and/or pick up a wild animal, there is an extremely high probability that there is something wrong with it.

4. In Albuquerque call Wildlife Rescue immediately at 907-1647. Or take the animal to their drop-off center located at the Rio Grande Nature Center at the west end of Candelaria. (Note: If anyone else in the state knows of other rehabilitations centers we can list here, please let me know.)

5. If the animal is a game animal (deer, bear, cougar, etc.) please contact the NM Game and Fish Department at 841-8881 in Albuquerque or 476-8000 in Santa Fe. Their website is www.wildlife.state.nm.us for all other statewide contact information.