TreeHouse Wildlife Center
Injured Wildlife
Injured Animals
Injured animals are brought to Treehouse to receive care and treatment for a variety of injuries. Some animals are admitted after being hit by cars, shot at, caught in fences, and from many other circumstances. These animals remain at Treehouse until they have fully recovered from their injuries. Animals with minor injuries may be at Treehouse for a short period of time while animals with head trauma, broken bones, or other serious injuries will remain for much longer.
An adult wild animal probably needs assistance if:
1. It does not move or fly when approached.
2. An animal normally seen only at night, is visible during the day.
3. The animal has lost its natural fear of humans.
4. It is obviously injured, ie: bleeding, dragging a leg, droopy wing.
Be careful
Wild animals all have different ways of defending themselves. Owls and hawks use their talons (toe-nails), herons, egrets and some shorebirds and waterfowl use their beaks, and mammals have teeth and claws.
Call for advice
Other than the most severely injured or weak, animals will try and defend themselves against what they perceive as a threat. If in doubt about how to approach or pickup an injured wild animal, first call your Department of Conservation or local wildlife rehabilitator for advice.
Locate help
Locate a licensed wildlife rehabilitator or veterinarian who will agree to see the animal. These animals can go into shock very quickly. The sooner they are treated for shock, as well as their injuries, the better their chances of returning to the wild.
The majority of wild orphaned and injured animals admitted to TreeHouse Wildlife Center are the result of man's direct or indirect influence. Being an informed person, and aware of an animal's need of help, versus those needing to be left alone, gives you a very important role in wildlife rehabilitation. Acting accordingly means you are helping give these critters a second chance.