Wildlife help information

Please be aware, there is a risk of avian flu in the environment. Injured birds should not be handled and contact should be made to bird rescue organisations. 

Essex Wildlife Trust is a conservation charity. We are not a rescue service so we are unable to take injured animals or offer anything other than general advice. 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.

Wildlife crime can be reported by dialling 101.  

RSPCA 

RSPCA has a 24-hour emergency helpline to report an animal suffering from cruelty or neglect. Call 0300 1234 999.

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
For injured badgers in Braintree, Colchester, Tendring and Maldon open 24 hours. Call 07751 572175

Essex Badger Protection Group
For injured badgers in Basildon, Brentwood, Chelmsford, Castle Point, Rochford, Grays and Southend. Call 07341 944567 or 07341 944568

Harlow and Uttlesford Badger Groups
For injured badgers in Harlow, Epping Forest and Uttlesford. Call 07941 185171

British Divers Marine Life Rescue 

For stranded or injured marine life in need of rescuing, contact BDMLR's 24 hour rescue line 01825 7655446 

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. 

Otters

Please report any dead otters to us for collection by emailing us or leaving a message with our Wilder Rivers and Protected Species Manager on 07889 088453 with the location and any other details.

Badgers

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

Marine sightings 

Information on how to report a sighting of a dead marine species available on UK Cetacean Strandings Investigation Programme.