Rehabilitation

Please do not bring injured or orphaned wildlife to the Center for Wildlife Education at Georgia Southern University. 

The Center for Wildlife Education at Georgia Southern University is NOT licensed and does not have the required state permits to operate as a rehabilitation facility. All wildlife rehabilitators in the state of Georgia must have proper permits from the GA Department of Natural Resources to operate and maintain proper rehabilitation facilities.

Who to call if you have discovered a wildlife emergency:

• Call the Georgia Department of Natural Resources Regional Office at 229-426-5267

What to do if you have found an injured wild animal:

• Do not approach or attempt to handle the animal. Injured animals are still wild and may attack or lash out in self-defense.
• If the injured animal is a baby or juvenile, please vacate the area once you have taken a quick assessment, the mother may be in the area and may try to defend her offspring.
• Take note of the exact location, injury and as many details you can about the animal, especially if you are not certain of the species. What color was it? How large? Any distinguishing marks? Could it stand?
• Contact the local Department of Natural Resources Office or a local Wildlife Rehabilitator. They have trained personnel and the proper equipment to handle the injured animal without causing undue harm to themselves or the animal.

We live in a modern world, which is often urbanized and dangerous to native wildlife. When a wild animal encounters humanity, it can sometimes lead to injury for that animal. Collisions with automobiles, power lines and windows are some of the most common injuries, with many animals unfortunately not surviving the encounter. Some animals also become tangled in human devices such as soccer nets and clotheslines. Wildlife rehabilitators, often working with veterinarians, are the people who rise up to try and mend these animals and return them to the wild. However, these animals are sometimes too badly injured to be returned to the wild with any chance of survival.

Last updated: 12/24/2021