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Safely Containing Wildlife

Dealing with Captured Animals

Everyone has a different level of experience and comfort when it comes to dealing with a wild animal. Please use caution when attempting to capture and contain injured wildlife.

Our Wildlife Hospital

Keep Your Safety in Mind

Even very sick animals will attempt to defend themselves. Each situation is unique, and Ohio Wildlife Center recommends you contact the Ohio Division of Wildlife at 1-800-WILDLIFE to schedule professional support if -you are not comfortable dealing with your wildlife situation alone.

It is illegal to keep wildlife without a permit, and illegal to keep wild animals as pets. Ohio Wildlife Center’s goal is to treat sick, injured and orphaned animals and get them back to the wild.

Advice for Containing Animals

If you are comfortable with containing the animal, use these tips for a successful and safe approach:

  • Ensure human and animal safety at all times
  • Minimize handling
  • Use appropriate capture equipment to maximize efficiency and prevent unnecessary accidents
  • Do not pet or hold the animal any longer than needed; wild animals are easily stressed with human contact
  • Transport in a secure, ventilated container, such as a Rubbermaid tote with holes poked in the lid
  • Keep noise to a minimum during capture and transport; talk at low levels, move slowly
  • Keep any children and pets away from the situation

 

Once the Animal is Safely Contained

  • Minimize contact. Don’t peek or take photos. Wild animals view humans as predators; it is very stressful for them.
  • Unless instructed by a veterinarian or rehabilitator, do not offer water or food to the animal.
  • Transport the animal to a wildlife rehabilitator as soon as possible.

Capture and Transport Tactics by Animal Type

Infant birds | Ducklings | Goslings

Items Needed:

  • Protection: Wear latex or knit gloves
  • Container: Small box. Shallow paper cup or bowl.
  • Tools: Paper towels. Heat source such as a rice bag or water bottle.

Technique:

  • Line a small cup or bowl with paper towels. Place inside a ventilated box.
  • Add an external heat source such as a sock filled with dry rice that’s been microwaved or a water bottle with warm water near the artificial nest. Also, cover this with paper towels.
  • Put on protective gloves. Gently pick up the bird and place it in the artificial nest. Close box.
  • Bring nest or egg shells to assist with identification, if available.

Adult songbirds | Most birds

Items Needed:

  • Protection: Wear latex or knit gloves
  • Container:Small box or paper bag *For woodpeckers: plastic bin*
  • Tools:Paper towels. Heat source such as a rice bag or water bottle
  • Restraint: Pillowcase, small hand towel, net

Technique:

  • Poke small holes in the container to provide air flow. Put on protective gloves.
  • Use net to prevent flight. Place pillowcase or towel over the bird.
  • Gently pick up and put the bird in the container. Slowly remove the pillow case or towel as you cover the box.
  • Close the box or roll down the top of the bag.

Infant mammals

CAUTION: mammals can bite through gloves. Use extreme care.

Items Needed:

  • Protection: Wear latex or knit gloves
  • Container: Small box
  • Tools: Paper towels, mobile heat source such as a rice bag, water bottle or hand warmers
  • Restraint: Pillowcase, small hand towel, net

Technique:

  • Line the container with paper towels, pillowcase, or fleece. Add an external heat source such as a sock filled with dry rice that has been microwaved or a water bottle with warm water under the paper towels in one half of the box. Poke small holes in the container to provide air flow.
  • Put on protective gloves.
  • Place pillowcase or towel over the animal and gently place the animal in the box. Close securely.

 

Adult Opossum | Woodchuck | Rabbit

CAUTION: these mammals can bite through gloves. Use extreme care.

Items Needed:

  • Protection: Wear leather gloves
  • Container: Pet carrier or crate, plastic storage tote, trash can, or large box with lid
  • Tools: Broom, shovel, food items, cardboard

Technique:

  • It is best to use a hands-off approach with these animals. 
  • If you proceed yourself, cover the container with a towel to create a dark, den-like space. Placing fragrant food items inside may help.
  • Put on protective gloves and place the container near the animal with the opening in front of the animal. Additional items can be used as barriers to “funnel” the animal to the opening. Use the broom or shovel to gently push the animal in from behind.
  • Poke small holes in the container to provide airflow. Ensure the container is secure before transporting wild animals.

Adult mammals | Squirrel | Raccoon | Skunk | Fox

CAUTION: These mammals are dangerous and can bite through gloves. Do not handle. Use extreme care. *Rabies vector species.

Items Needed:

  • Protection: Wear leather gloves
  • Container: Pet carrier or crate, plastic storage tote, trash can, or large box with lid
  • Tools: Broom, shovel, food items, cardboard

Technique:

  • DO NOT approach if the animal is aggressive – lunging, showing teeth and/or approaching you without caution.
  • It is best to use a hands-off approach with these animals. 
  • If you proceed yourself, cover the container with a towel to create a dark, den-like space. Placing fragrant food items inside may help.
  • Put on protective gloves and place the container near the animal with the opening in front of the animal. Additional items can be used as barriers to “funnel” the animal to the opening. Use the broom or shovel to gently push the animal in from behind.
  • Poke small holes in the container to provide airflow. Ensure the container is secure before transporting.
  • Read important information on safety and disease.

Bats

Never touch a bat with bare hands or exposed skin!

CAUTION: Bats are a high risk rabies species. They are dangerous and can bite through gloves. Do not handle. Use extreme care.

Items Needed:

  • Protection: Wear thick , well-fitting gloves, preferably leather.
  • Container: Small with a tight lid such as Tupperware, coffee can, butter tub or shoe box
  • Tools: Cardboard, magazine, shoe box lid, tape or rubber bands

Technique:

  • It is best to use a hands-off approach with these animals. 
  • Poke small holes in the container to ventilate.
  • Put on protective gloves and slowly place the container over the stationary bat. Slide lid, cardboard or magazine under bat, turn over and seal the container tightly. Avoid touching the bat directly if at all possible, even with gloves on.
  • Securely seal container opening. Use tape or rubber bands, if needed.
  • Read important information on safety and disease.

Hawks | Owls | Other large birds of prey with sharp beaks and feet

Items Needed:

  • Protection: Heavy gloves
  • Container: Pet carrier or crate, plastic storage tote, trash can, or large box with a top that closes
  • Tools: Large sheet, cardboard
  • Restraint: Towel, blanket or net

Technique:

  • Put on protective gloves. Place container with opening behind the animal. Stand in front of the bird with sheet(s) spread open in front of you. Walk slowly toward the bird and encourage them to back into the container.
  • Alternatively, you may also throw a heavy sheet or blanket on the bird and place the container on top, sliding the container lid or flat cardboard under the animal.  Then secure for transport.
  • You may also use a net if available, but use caution so the bird does not get entangled.

Adult ducks | Geese and other waterfowl

NOTE: Unless the bird has a broken wing, it can still fly away or wade into water when approached.

Items Needed:

  • Protection: Light gloves, such as latex
  • Container: Trash can, large box, laundry baskets or large pet carrier
  • Tools: Large, wide sheets or blankets, nets, additional people
  • Restraint: Towel, blanket

Technique:

  • DO NOT attempt to chase the bird or swim for a bird in water.
  • You may feed cracked corn to the bird for a few days until it allows you to get close enough to approach to attempt capture. Gently coax mobile animals uphill, away from water and towards a corner or covered area, when possible.
  • Poke small holes in the container to provide air flow.
  • Throw a heavy sheet or blanket over the animal to prevent flight. With blanket still in place, give a firm hug or grip on either side to hold the wings down and against the bird’s body. Pick up and place the animal in a container.

Great Blue Heron | Other similar birds with large bills/beaks

Items Needed:

  • Protection: Wear safety glasses!
  • Container: Trash can, large box
  • Tools: Blanket, large sheet
  • Restraint: Thick blanket

Technique:

  • DO NOT attempt to contain without wearing glasses or some form of eye protection. These birds have very sharp and powerful beaks and may attack your eyes.
  • Throw a sheet or blanket on top of the bird, grab the beak, then pick up the body and place it in the container. Herons are very light and usually collapse under a heavy blanket. Be careful not to additionally injure the bird with unnecessary handling.
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