Launched in the autumn of 1999 ‘with sponsorship from BT, the aim of this telephone help line is to provide guidance to anyone who finds a sick or injured bird of prey.

0870 241 0609

Once relevant details have been provided, callers will be given basic instructions on how to care for the casualty temporarily, whilst efforts are made to contact local rehabilitators or experienced individuals from the Raptor Rescue database who can then collect the bird and transport it safely to specialised care facilities.

Where it is not possible to immediately get someone out to collect an injured bird, Raptor Rescue is often able to provide contacts for veterinary surgeons or other local assistance.

Please note this is not a 24-hour emergency service, and an answer phone operates outside of normal hours, but if you leave a message someone WILL get back to you.

All calls are charged at the UK National Rate.

Cardboard carrying boxes bearing the Raptor Rescue logo are available for rehabilitators to use when transporting birds of prey.

What happens next?

Once our rehabilitator has collected the bird, the first step is to assess the extent of the injuries/illness. Where possible the rehabilitator will treat the bird before placing it in a hospital unit or secluded aviary, to allow it to recuperate with the minimum amount of human contact.

As soon as it is fit enough the bird will be released back into the wild, as close as possible to the spot where it was found.

Should a bird require more specialist treatment, then its condition will be stabilised until it can be seen by a veterinary surgeon. It will remain under treatment until well enough to be returned to the rehabilitator for recuperation before being returned to the wild.

The process of returning the bird to the wild is called “hacking back” and with minimal human contact, the bird will soon be ready to be released.