The Northwest Raptor & Wildlife Center is the
universally respected institution that law enforcement, local
government and veterinarians rely on to deal with injured,
orphaned, abandoned, or endangered wildlife on the Olympic
Peninsula. Though the Northwest Raptor & Wildlife Center is qualified and
licensed to handle any species of wildlife, not just raptors, we
advise that local residents and visitors exercise restraint before
contacting the Center to report a wildlife emergency. If proper
caution is not shown, well-meaning residents may actually injure
or harm local wildlife while attempting to assist it.
Before
contacting the Northwest Raptor & Wildlife Center, please consult our
Wildlife Emergency Checklist:
1. If
you discover a baby bird or raptor outside of its nest, wait to
see if it is actually abandoned, not merely spending time outside
of its nest while learning how to fly. If the bird appears to
be abandoned, make no attempt to approach it or feed it.
Immediately call us at 360.681.2283.
2. If
you encounter a wild baby animal such as a deer fawn,
leave it alone
to
allow it be reunited with its mother. It is rare for mammals to be
orphaned in the wild without human interference. It is
not unusual for a baby mammal to be left alone for hours at a
time to learn independence before being reunited with its mother.
If the baby has been separated from its mother by human
interference or the death of its mother, call 360.681.2283.
3. If
you see any wild animal injured or bleeding, immediately call
360.681.2283. Do not take any independent action without
consulting with the experts first as approaching the animal may
be dangerous to you or the animal’s health — or illegal under
wildlife protection laws.
4. Practice
Prevention:
Protect and nourish your surrounding natural habitat so that wild
animals can easily find food, shelter, and water.
