Avian Influenza/Bird Flu Admission Restrictions
Due to concerns for the potential transmission of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI), avian admissions will be limited. While this will impact our ability to provide care for some animals, these measures are in place so that we can continue to help as many birds as we can safely and all our other wildlife patients. We appreciate your understanding through this process.
Note: It is our hope to resume normal avian admission as soon as conditions allow and the threat of HPAI has passed.
Due to the current prevalence and serious risk of HPAI in our region, our admission procedures have changed. It is of vital importance that you do not bring in a high-risk bird that needs help to our wildlife hospital until our team has talked with you directly via phone and authorized admission.
WINC will not be admitting JUVENILE aquatic or semi-aquatic birds (which includes waterfowl, waterbirds and shore birds). For all other species of birds during the current outbreak of HPAI, admissions will be approved on a case-by-case basis. Please refer to the guidelines below for admission requirements for high and low risk species.
If you have found a sick, injured, or potentially orphaned wild animal in our service area (Waukesha, Jefferson, Dodge and Washington counties) please call us at (262) 965-3090 and leave a message. Our staff will respond to your call as soon as we are able. Thank you so much for caring for wildlife and for your support.
High-Risk Species –Please note that videos/photos will be required before the following animals will be accepted for admission:
- Raptors (including hawks, owls, eagles and falcons) – all ages
- Vultures – all ages
- Adult aquatic or semi-aquatic birds (no juveniles of these species will be admitted at this time)
- Waterfowl (ducks, geese, swans) – adults only
- Waterbirds (loons, grebes, coots, pelicans, gulls, cormorants, kingfisher) – adults only
- Wading birds (egrets, herons, cranes) – adults only
- Pheasants and wild turkeys – adults only
- Corvids (including crows, ravens and blue jays) – adults only.
***Those high-risk species approved for admission will be brought in the back door by staff. Ring the doorbell on the green post for assistance.
Low-Risk Species – Photos will be required (videos are preferred) before admission of songbirds – all ages. Please note that this does not apply to juvenile corvids (blue jays, crows, ravens).
*** For low-risk species, ring the front door doorbell and wait for assistance.
For the following animals please contact the DNR (888-936-7463, 7am-10pm, 7 days a week)
- Baby/juvenile waterfowl, shorebirds, waterbirds and corvids from Washington, Jefferson, Dodge and Waukesha counties.
Please visit our website www.helpingwildlife.org for helpful information about wildlife situations.
