City of Offenbach provides information on how to deal with found wild animals

From spring onwards, the number of inquiries about wild animals found at the municipal veterinary office increases. These are often about young birds in the garden or injured squirrels and hedgehogs. In principle, citizens can contact a wildlife station, which will take in the animals. However, care should be taken with young birds, as they are not always orphaned. At www.offenbach.de/wildt iere there is a comprehensive service page with behavioral recommendations and important contacts that are updated regularly.

"Recently, there has also been an increase in inquiries about hedgehogs that have been injured by robotic lawnmowers," reports Monika Grimm, Head of the Veterinary Office. "We advise against looking after wild animals yourself. Animals in need of help should always be placed in professional hands." Good places to go are wild animal rescue centres, where wild animals are taken in, cared for and, if necessary, referred to specialized rescue centres. Before taking an animal there, you should call in advance and ask if they can take it in. The veterinary office itself cannot take in injured or orphaned animals. It is also not the right place to report an injured or dead wild animal. For animals that fall under hunting law, the responsible hunting tenant is responsible. Many wild animals may therefore not simply be taken away. There are five hunting grounds in the Offenbach area. In the city area, the Lower Hunting Authority, which is part of the Public Order Office, is responsible. It can be contacted if you have any questions. "Wild animals that fall under hunting rights belong to the leaseholder," explains Pietro Mereu, Head of the Lower Hunting Authority Department. "In principle, he has the right to hunt wild animals in his district, but his duties also include looking after the animals. For this reason, walkers must report injured or even dead wild animals that are subject to hunting rights to the responsible hunter." However, as there are many hunting districts in Offenbach, Mereu advises people to call the fire department. They know which animal is subject to hunting rights and can contact the responsible hunting tenant if necessary. In Hesse, foxes, deer, wild boar, hares, raccoons, badgers, martens, nutrias, wild rabbits, wild ducks, wild geese, magpies, crows and mute swans are among the animals covered by hunting rights.