In recent days, just like other organizational units of the SOP SR, the Administration of the Veľká Fatra National Park has been experiencing an onslaught of phone calls due to the findings of handicaps of protected animals. Most of the phone calls and subsequent trips concern the found chicks. It is the period of hatching and it is most visible in this period in the synanthropic population of the buzzard falcon (Falco tinnunculus). Young falcons may not have the happiest first start from the nest and often end up on the ground. In most cases, this is without injuries and it is completely sufficient to unload them on some nearby building or tree. Parents will find them by loud calls and take care of them. If they stay on the ground, there is a high risk for them to end up injured by a dog, cat, or other predators.
If you find baby songbirds on the ground and they show no visible signs of injury, you can also unload them on a protected elevated place, such as a tree, bush or building. In most cases, they are not abandoned, although you may not notice the presence of the parents at first glance. Most of the chicks leave the nest before they can actively fly and their parents feed them on the ground and in the vicinity of the nest. After a couple of days, the chicks learn to fly. Therefore, do not take the chicks from the site unnecessarily, only if they visibly show injuries. In some cases, the apathy of the young can be caused by dehydration. It is enough to moisten them with water and store them in the shade. Especially on these extremely hot days.
So let’s summarize again how we can administer first aid to a handicapped animal before the staff of the relevant breeding or rehabilitation station arrives.
How to proceed:
If you find baby mammals (deer, roe deer…) seemingly abandoned in the forest, meadow or field, do not catch them in your hands under any circumstances and leave the site as soon and quietly as possible. Their mother often stays nearby, from where she comes to feed and control them. The cub acquires a human smell after manipulation, and the mother may reject it.
If you find a young bird that has fallen out, it is advisable to first look around the area to see if there is an adult that feeds it. Place the cub on a branch or ledge of the house so that a predator does not get to it. Observe it from a distance. It is necessary to take the cub only when it is not visible near the parents for a long time.
Injured, weakened and sick individual
You can recognize such an individual by unnatural behavior – this means significantly reduced escape reactions, unnatural posture, hanging wings, lameness, visible injuries, and the like. We will limit the handling of the animal to the minimum possible extent and contact an expert as soon as possible. The capture must be as gentle as possible, we will use a rag, blanket, never plastic wrap. We can also place the animal – depending on its size – in a paper box with holes for air access and place it in a quiet and dark room without disturbances. The purpose is to reduce its movement (it can increase the extent of a possible injury) until the arrival of a specialist. In no case do we show the animal as an attraction to people.
Supplementary feeding
In the case of too apathetic and long-term exhausted individuals, feeding is not recommended. Such an individual does not have enough fluids and energy to digest the food and usually dies after feeding.
If the individual is more vital and the specialist cannot immediately pick up the animal, consult with him by phone about the type of food and the possible method of its administration. In principle, however, it is true that predators and owls (e.g. golden eagle, hawk, buzzard, peregrine falcon – also known as hermit or kestrel, eagle owl, barn owl, etc.) are served exclusively raw meat – poultry, pigeon meat, beef; never pork or meat that is too cold or cooked.
Freshly hatched mallard chicks found in the town of Martin.
A young peregrine falcon blind in one eye – found in the Záturčie – Martin housing estate.
Dark umbrella.
A baby black-billed magpie.
Peregrine falcon – a cub.
White-tailed owls hand-fed before being placed in another nest
A big thank you goes to our willing and dedicated colleagues, who often take care of handicaps at home on weekends and outside working hours.
Text and photos: Ing. Juraj Žiak
