ORPHANED/INJURED WILDLIFE

I found an injured/dead animal? Now what?

During the spring and summer we are flooded with calls about injured and orphaned wildlife.  Only licensed wildlife rehabilitators are allowed to possess and care for injured and orphaned wildlife.  If you find what you to believe to be an injured or orphaned animal, please contact one of our licensed rehabilitators.  You can also go to these websites to find the answers to some basic questions on what to do if you find injured and/or orphaned wildlife:

• Texas Parks and Wildlife
• Louisiana Wildlife Rehabilitators Association

For people who are interested in becoming a licensed wildlife rehabilitator please get an application from our website and visit the websites listed above for more information.
 
With the West Nile Virus present in our state, people always want to report the  dead birds that they find.  The Parish Public Health Unit, not LDWF, is handling the testing of dead birds.  If you find a dead bird (especially crows, blue jays or any of the raptors) please call your Parish Public Health Unit (link to list) to discuss how to get the birds tested.
 
One of the biggest problems is people wanting to keep wild animals as pets.  It is illegal to keep any native wildlife.  The only possible way to keep any native wildlife is with a Special Purpose/Possession Permit.  These permits are issued for wildlife that is deemed a permanent cripple and therefore unreleasable into the wild or for wildlife that is being used for education purposes.