ORLANDO, Fla. – Living in Florida, it’s all happened to us at some point. Coming across a dead animal on a nature trail or near our property is nothing new. But what should you do in this situation?
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission states on its website that if you come across an animal that is sick or dead of unknown causes, you should report it to the organization’s Wildlife Health Hotline at 866-293-9282.
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If you need to contact the service after hours, leave a message and a biologist will call you back during regular business hours.
It is recommended that you do not come into contact with or attempt to move the deceased animal, especially if the cause of death is unknown.
On the other hand, if you come across wildlife that you think may be injured or orphaned, you should note the location and contact a Licensed Wildlife Rehabilitator in your area.
Keeping any sick, injured, orphaned, or otherwise impaired wildlife beyond the time necessary to transport to a licensed rehabilitator is a violation of Florida law. A Wildlife Rehabilitation permit issued by FWC is required to rehabilitate wildlife, including any care beyond transport to a facility.
If the animal is a domestic or feral animal, such as a dog, cat or horse, you should contact the nearest Humane Society, Animal Services Office or Animal Control Agency.
The following species should be reported immediately to the FWC’s Wildlife Alert Hotline if found injured, sick, orphaned or dead: manatees, dolphins, whales, sea turtles, Florida panthers and black bears. Reports of these species should be made to the FWC’s Wildlife Alert Hotline at 1-888-404-3922 so that authorized, trained staff can respond.
For more information about precautions and guidelines when coming into contact with dead animals, visit the FWC’s website.
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