Helping wildlife

Follow these simple steps below when you come across wildlife that may need assistance:

1. Review our Injured Wildlife library located in the sidebar on the left of this page or call our Wildlife Hotline at (763) 489-2223. It can be accessed 24 hours a day and will provide you with the next steps to take in most situations.

   During business hours, ask the receptionist to be transferred to ext. 2223; after hours, simply choose option 6 for Wildlife when your call is answered by our automated phone system.

2. If your questions aren’t answered via the hotline, please contact a Wildlife technician at (763) 489-2223.

Upon arrival, all incoming wildlife animals receive an examination by a Wildlife technician. Injured wildlife are evaluated and treated. Once stabilized, the animal is sent to a Minnesota Department of Natural Resources licensed wildlife rehabilitator for further care and treatment until they can be successfully released back into the wild. Animals with serious injuries that can’t be successfully reintroduced to the wild are humanely euthanized to ease their suffering. Orphaned wildlife are placed with wildlife rehabilitators trained to give proper care and provide appropriate diets until the animals are old enough to be released.