Wildlife First Response

28/05/2026

🦊🦉 If You Find An Injured Wild Animal/Bird, Please Seek Help Immediately 🦔🦅

One simple phone call really can mean the difference between life and death.

If you find an injured, sick, or vulnerable wild creature, please contact a wildlife rescue as soon as possible. The sooner trained rescuers can assess the situation, the better the chances of survival and recovery.

For Scotland, we recommend:

Highland Wildlife Rescue for North Scotland & the Highlands

New Arc Wildlife Rescue for North East Scotland, Aberdeen & Aberdeenshire

We know there is a lot of advice online telling people to “leave them a while and see if mum comes back.” Sometimes that is appropriate, but those decisions should always be guided by experienced wildlife professionals.

Please don’t guess. Don’t rely on social media comments. Don’t wait hours hoping things improve on their own.

Call a rescue first. They will advise you on exactly what to do in the best interests of the animal.

A frightened, injured wild animal/bird cannot ask for help itself. That part, unfortunately, has been outsourced to humans.

Please share this important message with friends.

25/05/2026

🤬 NETS 🤬

We really must learn from the numerous incidents that injure and kill wildlife.

On Thursday we attended a rescue of this badger cub that was spotted tangled in a football net at a school in Coventry.

When we received the phone call, we were told the badger was very distressed, calling and thrashing around trying to find a way out.

When we arrived just an hour later (due to the drive), she had already given up and was exhausted after a long night, laying flat out until we approached.

One of our team safely held the cub still, whilst the other cut away all of the netting from her body, which had already caused a nasty gash to her neck. The netting was very tight around her whole body.

The cub is now recovering in our care and being closely monitored in case of any further development of constriction wounds (which can take up to 2 weeks to show).

The school are now ensuring that all their football nets are put away when not in use - an essential thing to do to prevent these issues to wild animals.

If you are able to support our life saving work, and specifically the care of this cub, please donate here - https://www.justgiving.com/charity/leicestershirewildlifehospital

Thank you for your support

23/05/2026

We are aware of sightings of a cetacean - believed to be a humpback whale - in the Beauly Firth between Inverness and Chanonry Point. We'd like to remind anybody heading onto the water to be respectful of the whale and be responsible if using power driven vessels, especially with regards to your proximity and wash.

Any concerns for marine mammals should be reported to the British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR) on their rescue hotline 01825 765546

22/05/2026

I’ve had the misfortune of lifting numerous dead Red Squirrels off roads in North Scotland so it’s a huge boost to see a success story like this!

21/05/2026

Important info.

Same applies with any wildlife you come across that may be in need of help - call your local wildlife rescue.

I’ve seen many posts already this week with people handling wildlife they’ve found or moving the creature to another location. This could be harmful rather than helpful.

Please take advice from the experts.

FALLEN OWLETS

It's branching season! 🌿

If you're not familiar with this habit, especially common for Tawny and Long Eared owlets you might step in out of kindness and concern when reuniting the tumbled ones is still possible.🦉

We are very good at rearing owlets but PARENT REARING IS ALWAYS BEST 🦉

These young owlets leave their nest to explore their surroundings often spotted on branches looking like fuzzy baked potatoes, not yet fully feathered - it's a normal part of their development. 🥔

Unless injured or at risk (found on a road, or away from trees, or in immediate danger from pets) they are usually best left or helped onto a low branch of the tree they're under. They can scramble very well back up a tree using both their talons and beak! 🦉

If you're unsure whether to intervene or what to do please phone your nearest wildlife rescue before uplift 📞

Some of these youngsters do need to come into care, including the one pictured here who has an injury to his face 🦉

We've had quite an owly week.... 🦉guess how many fuzzy baked potatoes are in the Chick Shack right now? 🦉

11/05/2026

For crying out loud. Cruel, inhumane, archaic.

Wildlife officers are appealing for information after a protected bird of prey died when found within a trap close to Fairy Glen Nature Reserve, Fortrose, near Inverness.

The sparrowhawk was found on Saturday, 4 April, 2026 with a leg caught in the trap but still alive.

Scottish SPCA attended and due to the extent of the injuries, the bird was euthanised.

Wildlife Crime Officer, Detective Constable Daniel Crilley, said: “This protected bird was found in a Fenn trap. Fenn traps are legal only when set in a natural or artificial tunnel that is designed to minimise the risk of harming non target species, however this trap was not, making it an illegal trap.

“Sparrowhawks are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act and enquiries are ongoing establish the full circumstances.

“We are asking anyone who saw anything suspicious in the area or who has information that could help our investigation to get in touch.

“If you can help please contact us via 101, quoting incident number 1200 of 8 April, 2026 or anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”

A Scottish SPCA spokesperson said: "This is a very concerning case and a serious wildlife offence, and we are keen to establish what happened. The bird was found in extreme and unnecessary pain. The trap had caused a catastrophic leg-break injury and sadly resulted in the bird having to be put to sleep. We urge anyone with information please contact Police Scotland or call our animal helpline on 03000 999 999."

A RSPB spokesperson said: "We condemn the injuries caused to a Sparrowhawk in an illegal trap set on land adjacent to our Fairy Glen Nature Reserve, on the Black Isle in April. We appeal to the public to provide information either directly to Police Scotland or via Crimestoppers which might assist with their enquiries into this incident. We welcome the swift action of the Scottish SPCA in responding and trying to help save this bird."

09/05/2026

Please take the time to read this post. Poor Rowan was a mum who raised her children quietly and peaceably but it was all taken away when she was killed on the road, leaving two babies behind.

So pleased to see your support for Clementine & Apricot to allow them to have a future.

CLEMENTINE (left) and APRICOT 🧡🧡

After your phenomenal support for our Fawn Paddock fundraiser last weekend, we’re over the moon to share an updated photo of our two tiny Roe fawns.

Their beautiful mum, Rowan, was one of several Roe Deer lovingly named with a “jam theme” by Mark and Jacky, who adored watching her raise her youngsters in the gardens around their homes. Over the years she successfully reared:
🦌🦌 2 boys last year
🦌🦌 1 boy and 1 girl the year before
🦌🦌 2 boys the year before that

We are heartbroken that Rowan was killed on the road when these little ones were less than 72 hours old.

Now safely in our care, we’re working hard to keep stress to a minimum, maintain strong feeding routines, and give them a secure outdoor space by day with warm shelter at night while work is underway on their paddock.

CLEMENTINE has made an incredible recovery from her poor condition on arrival — although she stubbornly refuses to move up to a bigger bottle, meaning lots of tiny feeds and frequent mid-feed refills! 🍼🍼🍼🍼

Meanwhile APRICOT guzzles his milk beautifully… provided everything is perfectly quiet and there are absolutely no disturbances whatsoever — including me breathing too loudly 🙊

Thank you all again for helping us give these two the safe start they deserve and to Foxes Afloat for generously sponsoring their food supplies 💚

08/05/2026

Dog attack on a badger cub

On Wednesday 6th May a young badger cub was seen between Whitwell and Ventnor with injuries to its neck.

The Wight Hunt Sabs were in the area and kindly picked her up and transported her straight to The People's Vet as her injuries were quite bad.

A spokesperson for The People's Vet said - "A severely injured badger cub was treated by The People’s Vet. The cub had sustained severe bite wounds around the head, most likely from a dog or dogs. This unfortunate incident highlights the conflict that exists between our domestic animals and wildlife."

The cub was then taken to RSPCA Isle of Wight for ongoing TLC, where the plan was - once recovered she could be returned to the wild.

Sadly this morning despite everyone's best efforts and care, her condition had deteriorated. On welfare grounds she was put to sleep.

This was a horrific dog attack on a defenceless 10-week-old badger cub which resulted in her suffering in pain for several days before being found. Her skull was exposed in places, her ears were torn, she had maggots in her wounds, despite this pain and suffering she was still feisty and alert when she was picked up. We all hoped she would pull through and get back out there, her loss was a huge blow to us all.

There is absolutely no excuse for this to have happened - please keep your dogs under control in the countryside and keep them on a lead around badger setts.

This incident has been reported to the police as a wildlife crime.

If anyone has any information about this incident, please do get in contact with us so we can pass the information on to the investigating authorities.

As always, thank you to Friends of the Animals for covering the vet bills 🙏

Her short life had ended before it had even begun 😞

Run free little one 🦡🐾🐾

08/05/2026

Today we celebrate the 100th birthday of Sir David Attenborough.

For generations, his voice has guided people through forests, oceans, deserts, and skies; helping the world fall in love with the beauty and fragility of life on Earth.

His work has inspired curiosity, compassion, and a deeper responsibility to protect the natural world and the creatures we share it with.

Every rescue matters because every species matters. That truth has been at the heart of Sir David’s message for decades.

Thank you, Sir David, for reminding humanity that nature is not separate from us. It is our home, our wonder, and our future.

Happy 100th Birthday from Wildlife First Response 💚