Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza
(HPAI)
Note: The risk of avian influenza to humans is low. Please visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website to read more.
Thank you so much for caring about wildlife. Due to the current risk and prevalence of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in Wisconsin, our bird admission process has changed to reduce the spread of this disease as much as possible. Please call 414-431-6204 first before coming to WHS with an animal of any species. It is of vital importance that you do not bring in an animal to the wildlife hospital until our team has talked with you directly and has instructed you how to safely do so.
Outside of our open hours:
We are an appointment-based wildlife hospital. If you are here with a bird outside of our open hours, we are unable to admit that patient. Keep the bird in a well ventilated but securely closed container like a carboard box with air holes. Keep the box in a dark, quiet, warm place away from pets and human interaction such as a garage or shed. Please call us at 414-431-6204 and leave a voice message detailing your situation. A staff member will return your call as soon as they are able during open hours.
If you found a bird outside of Milwaukee, Racine, or Ozaukee County, please call the DNR Wildlife Response Hotline at 608-267-0866. This number may be slower to respond on the weekends or CLICK HERE for the Wisconsin Wildlife Rehabilitators Directory.
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources considers the following birds to be at highest risk of contracting HPAI:
- Waterfowl (ducks, geese, swans)
- Waterbirds (loons, grebes, coots, pelicans, shorebirds, or wading birds like egrets, herons, cranes)
- Birds of prey (owls, hawks, falcons, etc.- especially bald eagles)
- Avian scavengers (crows, ravens, gulls, vultures)
Symptoms in birds: Neurological signs in birds may include swimming or walking in circles, moving the head in a “jerky” motion, seizing, twitching, lethargy, and holding the neck and head in an unusual position. Unfortunately, a symptom can also be sudden death. Some high-risk species, like ducks and geese, may not show any symptoms.
Baby birds: If you have a baby bird that you suspect is orphaned, please CLICK HERE to learn how to reunite the baby with its parents or how to keep it safe until you are able to contact us.
Donate
To make a gift of any size to support our wildlife hospital, CLICK HERE.
Thank you for your support!
Patient Updates
If you are interested in finding out how the patient you brought in is doing, you can email us at wildstatus@wihumane.org and include:
- Animal species
- Date of admission
- Your first and last name
- Your phone number
We will update you as time allows. With a caseload of about 5,000 animals per year, our ability to give patient updates is limited. Thank you for your compassion and patience!
The Wildlife Rehabilitation Center is always looking for safe places to release hand-raised orphaned Cottontails, Raccoons, Opossums, Gray Squirrels and Mallards. Can you help?
