With confirmed cases of bird flu in the South West and the Government’s implementation of an Avian Influenza Prevention Zone across Cornwall, Devon, Isles of Scilly and part of Somerset we regret that we cannot at present take in any owls or other birds of prey for rehabilitation.
If you find an injured owl, bird of prey or any other animal, please take it to the nearest vet immediately. Vets have a duty of care to treat an animal, and any public finder who takes a wild animal to the vet will not be charged for its treatment.
Some advice from the Marine Conservation Society on what to do if you do see a sick or dead bird
Although bird flu is unlikely to be passed to humans, it’s highly transmissible between birds and can be deadly to them and other wildlife and animals. If you’re visiting a public beach and see a dead bird, or one that looks as though it may be infected, please don’t touch it. Instead, there are several things you can do:
- If you suspect a bird has bird flu, you must report it to the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA)
- If you find a dead wild bird, call the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) helpline on 03459 33 55 77 (England, Scotland or Wales).
- If you find dead wild birds in Northern Ireland, please ring the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) helpline on 0300 200 7840
