Birds
Birds fall into human hands for a variety of reasons, but most often because of accidents, attacks by predators and being found as fledglings. Whatever the causes, these birds are wild creatures and if you are prepared to care for them you must aim to return them to their own environment as soon as possible - in fact the law requires you to do so.

Is it orphaned?
Not all young birds on the ground alone have been orphaned. It is common in spring and summer to find a young bird sitting on the ground or hopping about without any parents visible. The parents are probably away collecting food, or they may have been frightened by your approach and are waiting nearby. 

The young of many familiar garden birds will tend to fledge once they are fully feathered, but before they are able to fly, and spend a day or two on the ground before their feather development is complete. This is perfectly normal.  If the fledgling is in your garden then keep any cats indoors until the bird has flown away.

If the bird is on a busy path or other dangerous or exposed location, it makes sense to pick it up and move it a short distance to a safer place. The bird must remain within hearing reach of where it was found or there is a risk that its parents cannot locate it again. Fledglings should almost always be left where they are, in the care of their own parents. Removal of the young bird from the wild will cut its chances of long term survival to a small fraction.

Although any amount of handling of a wild bird does cause a certain amount of stress, the fact that the young bird has been handled does not cause its parents to abandon it. Birds do not respond to human smell in the same way that mammals would.

It is natural to feel that a bird, however seriously injured, must be given a chance of life. A bird with a badly broken wing will seldom be able to fly again and a lame bird is severely handicapped in the struggle for existence. In such cases it is better for the bird to be humanely destroyed. Please contact a vet, the RSPCA or a wildlife rehabilitation centre for guidance, especially when the bird is large. Although it is legal to keep a permanently disabled bird, this is not recommended. Wild birds rarely take well to captivity, and the stress this causes to the bird is often such that it is far kinder for the bird to put it down.

Injured wild birds and the law

It is legal to take in and keep most injured wild birds for the purpose of looking after them and releasing them as soon as they are fit. 

Certain species, however, are required to be registered with DEFRA before they can legally be kept. These species are listed in Schedule 4 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act. This list includes most of Britain's rare breeding species and birds of prey. The full list can be found in leaflet Birds and the law, which is available from the RSPB.

Much of the information given for birds, above, applies to care of sick or injured animals.  It is important to be aware that the stress of being captive can kill small wild animals.  Being manhandled terrifies wild animals and if it needs to be done, then skill and care are fundamentally important.  A young wild animal will be rejected by its parents if it smells of human handling.

Approach and Initial diagnosis

If you come across a seemingly distressed animal, it is important NOT to sweep it up straightaway.  Observe the animal, as inconspicuously as possible, to try and determine the cause of its distress.  It may just be disoriented and perfectly able to recover of its own accord.  Give the animal time.  If it is clear that the animal is seriously injured (broken limb or severe wound) then veterinary help is required.  In such cases, call the vet. to the site of the animal, rather than trying to handle the animal and causing further stress by moving it.

Handling

If handling is absolutely necessary (for example, if the animal is trapped, tangled or caught in something) remember that they see you as an enemy, and they will resist.  Animals up to fox size, are best held by the loose skin at the back of the neck. Grasp the flesh firmly and hold the animal away from your body to avoid bites or scratches. Release it as quickly and as efficiently as possible once you have freed it.  If it is absolutely necessary to remove the animal, then follow the information given for birds above.  Reduce stress by keeping the animal in the dark and quiet. Provide water but food will not be of immediate concern.  Seek expert help at the earliest opportunity.  When the time comes for release, the animal should be returned close to where you found it.

A Special Case for Hedgehogs

Autumn orphans

Hedgehogs born late in the season will not have sufficient fat reserves to survive hibernation. Young orphans found weighing less than 500g (1.1lb) at the end of the autumn will need to put weight on to see them through the winter or, if left, will probably die.  It is best to provide food "on-site" for a few days  so as to minimise disruption.

Orphans found weighing under 500g after mid-October can be housed indoors and fed two heaped tablespoons of food daily - including small amounts of crushed dog biscuits to provide bulk and roughage - to put on weight before being released to hibernate.

A garage or similar building is an ideal temporary home, but don't put hedgehogs on a metal grid or wire floor as this can hurt their feet. Place the hedgehog in a large box with plenty of clean, fresh hay, crumpled newspapers or dry leaves.

If the orphan is very young it should be kept warm - a hot water bottle wrapped in a towel is ideal. Also take care to keep direct human contact to a minimum so that the animal does not become unnaturally tame.

On reaching a weight of between 550 and 680g (1.2lb-1.5lb), the young hedgehog - if active and while the weather is still relatively mild - can be released at night back to the area where it was found. Continue to provide food and a shelter with nesting material to help the hedgehog build a winter nest.

Dead Badgers

• DEFRA (Department of Food and Rural Affairs) Tel: (08459) 335577 or email: helpline@defra.gsi.gov.uk
• English Nature, 32 North Street, Lewes.  Tel: (01273) 476595.
• John the Birdman  Tel: (01273) 420018 - John Butler has been studying the problems associated with pest birds of all kinds.  His comprehensive leaflet "Herring Gulls (Larus Argentatus)" is available free from the public libraries.
• Roger Musselle  Tel: (01273) 308268. Roger cares for orphaned, sick or injured creatures with the aim of returning them to their natural habitat.
• R.S.P.B.  Tel: (01273) 775333.
• R.S.P.C.A. - (0870) 55 55 999.
  

• Royal Racing Pigeon Association (01452) 713529, www.RPRA.org.uk, or
• www.pigeonracing.com for online reporting and advice.