250-337-2021
1331 Williams Beach Road, Merville, BC
Emergency Information

Emergency Information

Found an animal in distress?

Don’t Touch: Wait, Watch, Call!

For most people, helping wildlife in distress is a natural reaction. Indeed, if you see an animal that appears sick, injured, or orphaned, intervention may be necessary.

Before attempting a rescue, please call the MARS helpline at (250) 337-2021.

MARS wildlife rehabilitators will assess the situation and determine the best course of action. Our qualified staff and volunteers tend to 600 wildlife emergencies each year so they are very experienced and happy to help you.

Capturing and Containing Wildlife

If a rescue is necessary, injured wild birds can be rounded up and captured using a towel, blanket, or piece of clothing. Place the towel over the bird, covering their head, and gently scoop them up.

Mammals and birds of prey, such as owls and eagles, can be very dangerous to handle without prior training and experience, so please call MARS before you put the animal or yourself at risk.

If you have captured an animal, handle them as little as possible. Even if they appear calm, cuddling and human contact is extremely stressful to wildlife and may even kill them. Put the animal in a cardboard box or other container with air holes and keep them in a warm, dark, quiet place, away from children and pets. Never give wildlife food or water unless instructed by a wildlife rehabilitator.

The MARS Wildlife Hospital is open 7 days a week. It is tremendously helpful if you can transport the animal to us, but if that isn’t possible please call to arrange for a volunteer to pick it up. The less time it takes for the animal to get here, the better its chances of successful rehabilitation! Remember it is illegal to keep wildlife in your possession for more than 24 hours.

If you’ve found a …

BABY BIRD

Many young birds found during the spring and summer months are in the process of “fledging” or leaving the nest and it’s normal for them to be on the ground for several days before they learn how to fly. Usually the fledgling’s parents are nearby and will return periodically to feed and protect their young. Unfortunately, many of these happy healthy fledglings are “kidnapped” by well-meaning members of the public who think they are injured!

The best mother for a baby bird is its own mother, so before you intervene:

  • Observe the bird from a distance
  • Keep curious children and pets away
  • Watch and listen for the parents
  • Determine if the baby is a nestling or fledgling (see descriptions below)
  • Look for signs of injury, such as blood or a drooping wing
  • Look for signs of illness, such as crusty eyes or beak
  • Look for signs that the bird is orphaned, such as fly eggs on the feathers
  • Phone MARS to speak to a wildlife rehabilitator

FAWN

Do not assume that a lone fawn is abandoned. When the mother deer is off foraging for food, she often leaves her young behind, sometimes for several hours. The fawn knows to stay still and quiet and does not have a scent so is difficult for predators to locate by smell. Please never touch a fawn with your bare hands – this transfers your scent and makes it easy for predators to find.

The best mother for a fawn is its own mother, so before you intervene:

  • Observe the fawn from a distance
  • Keep curious children and pets away
  • Watch and listen for the mom
  • Look for signs of injury, such as blood or broken bones
  • Look for signs of illness, such as discharge from the eyes or nares
  • Look for signs that the fawn is orphaned, such as soiled fur or fleas
  • Phone MARS to speak to a wildlife rehabilitator

SEAL PUP

Do not assume a lone seal pup is abandoned. Pups are often left alone on or near the beach while their mother hunts. Pups can bite so please do not attempt to touch them! Your presence may also frighten the adult seals and cause them to abandon their young.

The best mother for a seal pup is its own mother, so before you intervene:

  • Observe the pup from a distance
  • Keep curious children and pets away
  • Watch and listen for the mom
  • Look for signs of injury, such as blood or broken bones
  • Look for signs of illness, such as laboured breathing
  • Look for signs that the pup is orphaned, such as a thin body or constant vocalizations
  • Phone MARS to speak to a wildlife rehabilitator

BAT

Do not assume that all bats carry rabies. While bats are a rabies vector species, meaning that they have the ability to carry rabies and spread it, the CDC has determined that only 0.5% of the entire bat population of BC is a carrier of the virus. Bats are nocturnal, and will often find odd places to roost during the day or over winter during hibernation,often on sides of buildings, inside patio umbrellas, or even inside wood piles.

  • DO NOT TOUCH!
  • Keep children and pets away from the bat at all times
  • Watch for signs of injury such as broken bones or tears in the wing membrane
  • If the injured bat is on the ground, place a container or box overtop of the bat to prevent it from leaving the area
  • Phone MARS to speak to a wildlife rehabilitator