The United Kingdom has an abundance of wildlife and a rich ecosystem with approximately 90 wild mammalian species and >600 wild bird species. Unfortunately, several of these species are endangered including the European hedgehog (Erinaceus europaeus), Water vole (Arvicola amphibius), Red squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris) and the Hazel dormouse (Muscardinus avellanarius). Being classified as endangered means the number of these animals in the wild is decreasing and their populations are reducing as a result. This is not only catastrophic for these individual species, but it also has knock on effects for the entire ecosystem which as humans we rely on heavily, so it is vitally important we all do our bit to support and conserve these species.  

One of the most common reasons for wild animals, particularly small mammals such as the Water vole and Hazel dormouse, to be found by members of the public is after they have been predated, often by pet cats. Often the first sign time you will see one of these beautiful creatures is when they are lying helpless and injured on the ground, so what should you do if you find an injured small wild mammal? 

I have found an injured small wild mammal (mouse, rat, vole, rabbit, squirrel etc.) – now what? 

The first thing to do is don’t panic! These small mammals pose very little threat to people but do always be mindful of hygiene as all wild animals can carry diseases which can be transmitted to people.  

  1. Find a small cardboard box and punch very small air holes in the box, small enough that the animal can’t escape! 
  1. Fill the box with shredded paper or shredded newspaper, be careful to ensure no staples are accidently put in as these may cause harm 
  1. Carefully, ideally wearing gloves, pick up the small mammal and place them into the box. Do this quickly and efficiently so as to cause as little stress as possible to the animal. 
  1. Take the animal in the box to your local veterinary surgery as soon as possible so they can be assessed and treated as needed. Often these animals have particularly painful or life-threatening injuries so it is important they are taken to a vet without delay. 
  1. Do not be tempted to try and force feed these animals as this will cause them unnecessary stress which could reduce their chances of survival even further. To provide water in their box, you can use a milk bottle top or similar small shallow dish and fill it with a small amount of fresh clean water so the animal can have a drink if they need to.  
  1. It is important to note where you found the animal and write this information on a piece of paper and give it to the veterinarian along with the animal, so that if the animal’s injuries are treatable, it can be released back where it was found. This is very important as in most cases, wild animals need to be returned to where they were found to ensure they have the best chance of surviving after they have been released.  

I have found an injured hedgehog, is this any different? 

The first thing to say is in principle no, the basics of finding and securing a box and water source are exactly the same. With hedgehogs it is important to be mindful of how they were found. In most cases it is unusual to see an adult hedgehog out during the day, as these are nocturnal animals who do most of their movement at night. That said, adult females can commonly be seen outside during the day whilst they are in the breeding season, as they are out looking for food and nesting material, preparing for their new litter. If you find an adult animal out during the day who looks well, before being tempted to pick them up and remove them from their habitat please contact your local wildlife centre for advice, as it is possible this is an adult female, and picking her up would be detrimental for her and her hoglets.  

If you are certain the animal is injured then the exact same protocol as described for other small mammals above should be followed.  

I have found an injured bat, do I need to do anything differently? 

It is important to remember that certain UK species of bat, specifically the Daubentons bat (Myotis daubentonii) and Serotine bats (Eptesicus serotinus), can transmit European Bat Lyssavirus, which is a virus that can cause the disease commonly known as Rabies. Whenever you handle a bat it is important that you wear thick gloves such as gardening gloves and restrain the animal in a way so that you do not get bitten. If you are bitten by a bat ensure that you speak to your doctor without delay for further advice. Anyone handling and working with bats regularly should be vaccinated for Rabies virus as a precaution. You can read more about bats and rabies here. 

Otherwise the principles described above for other small mammals are exactly the same for bats and should be followed quickly and efficiently to ensure they can receive the care they need.  

A final point on the welfare of wild mammals 

The critical thing to remember with all wild animals is that they are incredibly scared and stressed when they are in human company. Being around humans is not normal for them and is considered threatening. They will often not outwardly display signs of distress and pain as they are mostly prey animals who have learnt to mask their fear, so not to attract attention to them which could result in them being predated. This can be confusing to some people who feel that if the animal is not vocalising or visibly distressed that they are not uncomfortable. This is not the case and as such it’s really important to not be tempted to handle these animals unnecessarily, make loud noises around them, show them to children in the family or pet them as you would with a family pet. All of these things would be extremely distressing for a wild animal. Secure them in a box and transfer them to the vet as soon as possible to ensure they have the best chance of survival. 

Sadly, it can be the case that wild animals may have injuries that are too severe and sadly the kindest thing to do for these animals is to euthanise them. Your veterinary surgeon will make a full assessment of the animal to determine if they can be treated and successfully rehabilitated and returned to the wild, or if euthanasia is the kindest option. Although this is sad, it is in the best interests of the animal not to suffer any longer. If you have any concerns about this please discuss this directly with your veterinary surgeon.  

Summary: 

  • The UK has a large population of wildlife 
  • Several wildlife species in the UK are classified as endangered, including the hedgehog, red squirrel, hazel dormouse and water vole  
  • If you find an injured wild mammal it is important they are transferred to a veterinary surgeon for treatment as soon as possible  
  • Injured wild mammals should be handled minimally so to avoid unnecessary stress for the animal  
  • Extra precautions should always be taken if handling a bat as certain species can carry a virus which can cause Rabies, and incurable and fatal disease of the nervous system