Found a distressed bird or animal in France? Here’s what not to do

People in France are being warned not to give water or food to a wild animal in distress, despite the high temperatures and heatwave currently in force.

Animal shelter the Centre de soins de la faune sauvage Alca Torda in Pouydesseaux (Landes, Nouvelle-Aquitaine) has issued some tips for people who may find wild birds or animals in distress due to the hot weather.

Animals can easily suffer from the heat and can become weak or disoriented if dehydrated. However, contrary to popular belief, it is often best to avoid giving them food and water, or touching them unless necessary. Some may carry serious diseases including rabies.

Risk of thermal shock

A bird sticking out its tongue does not necessarily mean it is thirsty. Forcing them to drink under these conditions could lead to hyperventilating and drowning.

A weak animal may not be able to regulate its body temperature in the heat, so giving it fresh water or wetting its body could be dangerous.

Similarly, feeding an animal could be a bad idea. Without an accurate diagnosis, feeding a hypothermic, anaemic or internally bleeding animal could be fatal.

What to do instead

If you come across an animal in difficulty, contact your nearest wildlife care centre.

Laura Labarthe, head of the Alca Torda centre, told France Bleu: "First you have to analyse the situation. During the birthing season, for example, we can find young animals that are alone and not necessarily abandoned.

“If we are sure that the animal is really in danger, then the specialists can ask you to intervene to take it to safety.”

In any case, if advised to intervene, you must avoid causing the animal any additional stress.

Ms Labarthe continued: "You must pick it up quietly with a cloth and avoid contact with bare hands, and then put it in a box, in the dark, away from any external stress.”

Faced with human intervention, an animal in distress may ‘play dead’ and stop moving in a bid to avoid harm. This is another reason to keep all birds and mammals quiet, otherwise some may die of heart attacks.

If you have a garden, you can provide various watering places for your animals, away from your home, during the heatwave.

You can fill bowls or pans with water, although keep levels low to prevent small animals from drowning, and place a few stones, pebbles or pieces of wood inside.

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