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The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) has issued guidance on how best to help wildlife during major fire events such as those taking place currently in Los Angeles County.

CDFW is appreciative of every person who has reached out wanting to help wild animals in California. It’s important to remember that California’s native wildlife are incredibly resilient and best left alone or assisted by trained professionals.

Who to Contact

If you find an orphaned, sick or injured wild animal after a fire event, contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator or your local CDFW regional wildlife program for guidance. These wild animals often have serious injuries that require specialized care and treatment by a trained wildlife professional.

• California Wildlife Rehabilitation Facilities
• CDFW South Coast Region (Region 5) 

Dangers and Risks

• Wild animals can be dangerous. Wildlife that are fed by humans often lose their natural fear of people and can become bolder or more aggressive. Do not attempt to capture or handle a wild animal.
• Wild animals can cause injury or harm. Any displaced or distressed wild animal can cause injury to humans and pets. If you encounter a wild animal, provide an escape route, and move to a safe location. It will likely leave on its own.
• Feeding wildlife can cause them harm. Providing unnatural food and water sources may encourage a wild animal to stay in burned areas. This places them at risk for burns, other injuries, and exposure to harsh chemicals and smoke.
• Feeding wildlife can spread disease. Many wildlife diseases are transferred through close or direct contact between animals. Wild animals that gather around feeding stations or artificial water sources can spread diseases to each other. Wildlife can also transmit diseases or parasites to people and pets.

Preventing Human-Wildlife Conflict

• Do not provide food or water to wildlife. Feeding wildlife does more harm than good. Certain wildlife species such as black bears, bobcats, coyotes, deer, and mountain lions can be displaced into urban areas after a fire.
• Do not attempt to rehabilitate wild animals if you are not a licensed wildlife rehabilitator. This places humans, pets and wildlife at risk. An untrained person may unintentionally prolong suffering and reduce the chance of the wild animal being able to return to the wild.

How CDFW is Helping in Southern California

• CDFW is actively monitoring the intake of sick, injured and orphaned wildlife.

• CDFW is providing support and coordination to wildlife rehabilitation facilities affected by fire events.

• CDFW is responding to public inquiries directly regarding potentially displaced wildlife.

How You Can Help

• Volunteer for a licensed wildlife rehabilitation facility. Contact individual wildlife rehabilitators to determine if they need volunteers.
• Donate directly to a licensed wildlife rehabilitation facility.
• Contribute to the Native California Wildlife Rehabilitation Voluntary Tax Contribution Fund using California state tax form (Line 439). All funds are provided to eligible wildlife rehabilitators. 
• Use the CDFW Wildlife Mortality Reporting System to report dead wildlife
• Use the CDFW Human-Wildlife Conflicts Toolkit web page for information on how to minimize human-wildlife conflicts.

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Media Contacts: 
Katie Talbot, CDFW Communications, (916) 204-1381
Peter Tira, CDFW Communications, (916) 215-3858