Wildlife help information

Fox

Photo - John Hawkins

Wildlife help information

Injured animals

Essex Wildlife Trust is a conservation charity. We work to maintain and improve important habitat across Essex and inspire a lifelong love of nature through our Nature Discovery Centres and education programmes. We are not a rescue service so we are unable to take injured animals or offer anything other than general advice about animal care and welfare. The RSPCA has a 24-hour emergency injured animal line to report an animal in distress: 0300 1234 999. Alternatively, below is a list of some of the local wildlife hospitals and rescue services operating across Essex and who do great work to help animals in need.

South Essex Wildlife Hospital  
All species. If you find a sick or injured animal or bird call 01375 893893

Wildlives Rescue & Rehabilitation Centre
Wildlives rescues, treats and aims to release all species from bats to barn owls, hedgehogs to herons – call 01206 251174

Essex Bat Group 
For injured bats call 0345 1300 228

National Fox Welfare Society

British Hedgehog Preservation Society 
For injured hedgehogs call 01584 890 801

North East Essex Badger Protection Group
Including Braintree, Colchester, Tendring and Maldon open 24 hours for injured Badgers 07751 572175

Essex Badger Protection Group
Including Basildon, Brentwood, Chelmsford, Castle Point, Rochford, Grays and Southend 07341 944567 or 07341 944568

Harlow and Uttlesford Badger Groups
Including Harlow, Epping Forest and Uttlesford 07941 185171

Dead animals

Large animals should be reported to your local authority, while farm animals should be reported to the police via gov.uk/report-dead-animal. Otherwise there is no need to report smaller animals, but please do report any dead otters to us for collection by emailing us or leaving a message with our River Catchment Coordinator on 07889 088453 with the location and any other details.

If you find a dead badger, please report this to your local Badger Protection Group:

North East Essex
Including Braintree, Colchester, Tendring and Maldon open 24 hours for injured Badgers 07751 572175
South Essex
Including Basildon, Brentwood, Chelmsford, Castle Point, Rochford, Grays and Southend 07341 944567 or 07341 944568
West Essex
Including Harlow, Epping Forest and Uttlesford 07941 185171

What should I do if I suspect a wildlife crime has occurred?

Go to the Essex Police website to find out more about wildlife crime and what you can do about it. Suspected crimes can also be reported by calling 101. You can also report crime anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.