Most people will at some point encounter an injured or orphaned animal, but not many know the correct response should they encounter an animal in distress.
Often well-intentioned people will “rescue” animals that appear to be abandoned, when in reality, they are perfectly fine and their parents are nearby foraging for food. Taking a baby animal away from where its family left it is rarely a good idea, unless you can make sure the parents truly aren’t coming back. Similarly, it’s never a good idea to take an injured wild animal under your own care, as you can do more harm than good.
Follow our guide to know when and how to respond in the event of a wildlife emergency.
Be prepared
Keep the following items in your vehicle at all times so that you’ll be ready to respond should you encounter an animal in distress: