WILDLIFE EMERGENCY
If you come across a small wild animal that appears injured, sick, or in distress, this guide explains the steps you can take to help. Further down the page you’ll also find specific advice on fledgling birds in spring and summer, larger wild animals, swifts, juvenile hedgehogs, bats, and important guidance about bees.
A simple rule of thumb applies: if you’re able to pick up a wild animal, it likely needs assistance. The main exceptions are baby deer (fawns), fox cubs, and many baby birds, which are often best left alone. More detailed information is provided below.
St Tiggywinkles Wildlife Hospital
St Tiggywinkles is about 40 minutes drive, near Thame. It is Europe’s longest established wildlife hospital, a charity supported by donations. It is open for all wildlife emergencies 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. No need to call ahead – just go there. If you call they will try to send one of their local large animal specialists to the scene. Aston Rd, Haddenham, Aylesbury HP17 8AF.
01844 292292.
Harper Asprey Wildlife Rescue
Harper Asprey Wildlife Rescue is a wildlife centre which is about 30 minutes’ drive from Maidenhead (town). It takes all types of wild animals which are injured or need help like underweight juvenile hedgehogs in autumn. The centre does not put its address on the website because they are sometimes full so if you want to take an animal there you will need to call them first. They also have volunteer drivers. They are always short of volunteers so if anyone is interested in helping, do get in touch with them.
01344 623106
Westwood Rd, Windlesham GU20 6YW
www.harperaspreywildliferescue.co.uk
Local Vets
At Night Vet at Summerleaze Vet Practice, 9 Summerleaze Rd, Maidenhead SL6 8EW: 01628 628121
Vets Now: 01494 257174
Swan Support: Claire and Wendy will deal with other animals as well as swans. 01628 876336 or 07968 868172.
Be aware that grey squirrels, parakeets and muntjac deer are not covered by this legislation and vets are not obliged to treat them.
Hedgehog Bottom
For hedgehogs, try Hedgehog Bottom, whose founder and manager is Gillian Lucraft. They may be full – advice is to call ahead first.
01635 826120
72 Chapel St, Thatcham RG18 4QN
Help Wildlife
Help Wildlife is a major resource and includes on its extensive website a list of Berkshire’s specialist carers.
01844 292292.
www.dictionary.helpwildlife.co.uk
RSPCA
If you find a severely injured large wild animal, the RSPCA has a national network of inspectors and they can be dispatched to help.
The emergency number is 0300 1234 999.
Wildlife Aid
This website, Wildlife Aid, has excellent advice on how to help sick or injured wild animals, listed by species.
ADVICE
Bees
If a swarm of honey bees is gathering or there is a bumblebee nest, ideally, leave the bees alone and enjoy the spectacle. Whatever you do, please don’t harm them. If you need the bees to be moved, the person you use depends on where the bees are. Beekeepers can’t remove bees from roofs, chimneys or other cavities in buildings and you will need a specialist company such as BeeGone who try to ensure the bees are humanely removed and re-hived. Otherwise, a beekeeper can help. There are four who will help in SL6: Joss – 07970 675363;
Nicola – 01628 638 221 / 07775 580476;
Ro – 07799 624428 and
James – 07980 225301.
For more information, take a look at:
Larger Animals
The advice from Wildlife Aid is ‘Stop! Do NOT attempt to handle a live badger, deer or fox. They can all inflict severe injuries to humans. If found on the road, you can protect these larger mammals from receiving further injury by positioning a car with its hazard warning lights and headlights on, behind the creature, to warn other road users, providing it does not endanger you or other road users.’
RSPCA – if you find a severely injured large wild animal, the RSPCA has a national network of inspectors and they can be dispatched to help. The emergency number is 0300 1234 999.
Hedgehogs
If you find a very small hedgehog out in the autumn in cold weather, try to collect it (with gloves) and weigh it. It needs to be 600g to be able to hibernate successfully. If it is less than 600g, it needs to be taken to a specialist carer. The best option is St. Tiggywinkles. Some of you may have been aware of Amber Glossop’s Hope for Hedgehogs care centre in Ascot. We have been told that this is now permanently closed.
Owls + Raptors
If you find an injured owl or raptor (red kite, falcon, hawk, buzzard etc) do watch out for the talons as these are their most dangerous weapon. Throw a towel over the bird and pick it up using thick gloves
Swans
If you find an injured Swan, contact Swan Support 07968 868172, or the Swan Rescue Centre at Eton
01753 859 397.
Fledglings
Fledgling (baby) birds: if you find a young bird on the ground, interfering with it will do more harm than good. Fledglings are extremely unlikely to be abandoned by their parents. Just because you cannot see the adult birds does not mean that they are not there. See the RSPB’s advice here.
Bats
If you find an injured or grounded bat, or if a cat brings one in, then please see the Bat Conservation Trust for detailed help or call 0345 1300 228, which is the national bat helpline.
Swifts
If you find a grounded swift, it needs specialist help. Do not throw it into the air. Contact Maidenhead, Marlow and Cookham Swift Group on 07710 171704.