For a variety of reasons, wild animals such as squirrels, garden dormice, hedgehogs, owls, swifts, storks, songbirds and deer find themselves in situations where help appears necessary for animal welfare reasons. In densely populated urban areas, most wild animal species lack sufficient undisturbed habitat and many animals are put in danger by road traffic, glass surfaces, power lines and the like. In the months of May to September in particular, well over 100 wild animals are found in Wiesbaden each year and given care or veterinary treatment by concerned citizens.

The information graphic "Wild animal found" attached below will help you to take the right steps if you have found a wild animal. Further support is available from the contact points listed in the list of wild animal rescue centers in the region. Please bear in mind the legal framework: In principle, the removal of wild animals from their habitat is prohibited! However, "subject to hunting regulations ... take in injured, helpless or sick animals in order to nurse them back to health. ..." (§ 45 (5) Federal Nature Conservation Act). From the moment you "take possession" of the wild animal, you assume full responsibility and liability.

Wild animals that are subject to federal or state hunting law have a special status. For the federal state of Hesse, this includes, for example Roe deer, red deer, wild boar, fox, badger, wild rabbit, brown hare, marten, weasel, pheasant, wild pigeons, duck and goose species, mute swan, gray heron, griffin, falcon, gull, raven and many more. You can find out which animals are subject to hunting rights nationwide in the Federal Hunting Act - see link under "Further information".

If you see from the info graphic that you need to take the wild animal to a wild animal rescue station, select from the list of "Wild animal rescue stations in the region" - see link under "Documents" - from the animal groups listed in the left-hand column and call the relevant station. The rescue center will advise you on how to care for and transport the animal. Please remember that wild animal rescue centers take care of animals in need of help on a voluntary basis and within the scope of their approved capacities.