Whom to call
To report an injured or orphaned wild animal,
contact any of the FWC's 5 regional offices for a list of
wildlife rehabilitators, or consult one of the rehabilitators
on this list.
Additional information about reporting injured
manatees or sea
turtles.
Nuisance Wildlife
If the animal is a domestic or feral
animal, such as dog, cat, horse, etc. - it is best to
contact your County Animal Control Office or Humane Society.
If the situation involves a wild animal,
such as a raccoon, opossum, armadillo or snake - the
Commission allows landowners to take nuisance wildlife under certain
conditions. You also may give permission to another individual
to take nuisance animals for you. Consult the FWC's list of
Nuisance Wildlife Trappers that Operate in Your County.
Most trappers will charge a fee for their services.
The FWC does not remove nuisance animals, with the
exception of imperiled species in limited situations. FWC
regional staff can answer specific questions about human/wildlife
conflict. To reach a Wildlife Assistance Biologist, please contact
the regional office that
serves your county.
What should you do when you come upon a snake?
If the situation involves an
alligator - To report a nuisance
alligator, call 866-FWC-GATOR (866-392-4286).
If the situation involves a bear -
If you have a nuisance bear in your neighborhood or on your
property, please contact your local FWC regional office or call the
Wildlife Alert hotline at 888-404-FWCC (3922).
Many laws protect Florida's
wildlife. You can help the Commission - and remain
anonymous - by calling 888-404-FWCC (3922) to report wildlife law
violators.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has additional
information about federal laws.
What can be done about nuisance
wildlife?
Rabid Animals
If you suspect an animal of having rabies or if
someone has been bitten, contact the local County Health
Department.
The Florida Department of Health (DOH) is agency
primarily responsible for rabies response, prevention, treatment
and control. If you suspect an animal of having rabies or if
someone has been bitten, contact the local County Health
Department. Public health staff will investigate animal bite
reports. The DOH can
request help from the Sheriff's office, Animal Control or the FWC,
but their staff will make that decision. View the listing of Florida County Health Departments at www.doh.state.fl.us/chdsitelist.htm.
For more information about rabies control and
prevention in Florida, visit the DOH on the Web at: www.doh.state.fl.us/environment/community/rabies/rabies-index.html.
Dead
Birds
The FWC works cooperatively with the Florida
Department of Health on a wild bird mortality database. This
project was initiated to support surveillance for bird die-offs,
monitor for West Nile Virus, and is now also being used to monitor
for avian influenza. The FWC is also interested in monitoring bird
electrocutions from power lines and poles so that faulty facilities
may be repaired.
If you find a dead bird, please report the bird by
logging on to this special FWC website, or call your
local FWC
regional office. Your reports will assist in tracking the
causes of bird mortality and surveying for avian influenza and West
Nile Virus.
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