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, working with veterinarians, are the people who rise up to try and mend these animals and return them to the wild. Sometimes however, these animals are too badly injured to be returned to the wild with any chance of survival. The Georgia Southern Wildlife Center works with these Rehabilitators as a last stop for animals who cannot be released, to serve as a safe haven where the animal can be protected, fed and enriched for the rest of it's life.

The Wildlife Center at Georgia Southern University is not a rehabilitation center. All wildlife rehabilitators have proper permits from The Department of Natural Resources in order to operate and must maintain proper facilities. We at the wildlife center have neither the permits or facilities to take in injured wildlife. We work closely with rehabilitation centers and offer them a chance to re-house a non-releasable animal at the end of it's medical treatment so that the rehabilitation center will have the room to accept other wildlife emergencies.

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.

Who to Call if you have discovered a Wildlife Emergency:

The Department of Natural Resources

Regional Office - 229-426-5267

Metter Office - 912-685-2145

Cindy Webber

Wildlife Rehabilitator, Eden, GA - 912-784-0539

Nan Page, Sanctuary on Sapalo

Liberty & Long Counties - 912-832-5571

Please do not bring injured wildlife onto center grounds, we cannot accept any injured wildlife.