THUNDER BAY – Jenn Salo, owner of Thunderbird Raptor Rescue, is offering a reminder of what to do when you come across orphaned or injured wildlife.
There is a ton of misinformation on the internet from people who don’t know about wildlife rehabilitation, she said in a recent Facebook post.
“Unless you are a permitted wildlife custodian through the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry, you don’t have authorization to take in injured or orphaned wildlife.”
Salo said if you have found injured wildlife, step one is to observe. Observation is crucial to determine if the animal needs help. Ask yourself, is the animal in immediate danger? Is there blood or bones present? Is there a mother around?
If the animal is a baby and there is no mother present, the first and only thing you do is get the animal contained. Keep it in a quiet and darkened kennel with a blanket over it if it is a baby or is in a health crisis.
Salo said to keep it warm and call her immediately, at (807) 355-2345.
“Warmth is crucial. It is always the first step in wildlife rescue. Especially when it is a baby, nothing else can happen until the baby is warm.
“If something is in shock and ice cold, their organs are already starting to shut down.”
Salo said if you can't reach her by phone, to text her.
“The first thing everyone jumps to when they find wildlife is feed it. This is the wrong answer. Do not feed wildlife under any circumstances. If you feed it the wrong thing, it can kill it.”
Salo said if you feed or put water in an animal that is ice cold and in shock, it will kill it.
“Please consider donating so we can continue to be a source of information, resource and rescue to the wildlife of Northwestern Ontario. They deserve our help,” she said.
