If you do find an animal that appears to be injured you should first contact your local animal control department (if provided by your township) and then contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator in the State of New Jersey. They can give you guidance on how to properly handle, contain and care for the animal before you transport it to them (or another facility). It is important to remember that not all animals who are alone are sick or injured and in many cases it is best to let nature takes its course, especially when the cause of the injury is not human related.
A common myth is that adult birds do not accept their young after being handled by a human. This is false.
The New Jersey Association of Wildlife Rehabilitators has a wealth of information on what to do when you find a particular species of of wildlife. Please visit their website to guide you in the right direction.
For all other wildlife and environmental emergencies, you should report those to the NJ Department of Environmental Protection at 1-877-WARN-DEP, a 24 hour hotline.
Here is a list of local rehabilitators to Long Beach Island and their specialties:
Birds (including songbirds, seabirds and raptors (hawks, eagles, owls)) –
- Mercer County Wildlife Center
- 1748 River Rd. (Rt. 29), Titusville, NJ 08560
- 609-303-0552
- Toms River Avian Care
- 1916 Kenilworth Ct., Toms River, NJ 08753
- 732-255-9270
- Woodford Cedar Run Wildlife Refuge
- 4 Sawmill Road, Medford, NJ
- 856-983-3329
Turtles –
- Mercer County Wildlife Center
- 1748 River Rd. (Rt. 29), Titusville, NJ 08560
- 609-303-0552
- Popcorn Park Zoo
- 1 Humane Way, Forked River, NJ
- 609-693-1900
Mammals (Rodents (chipmunks, squirrels, etc.), mink, skunk, rabbit, opossum, raccoon,
fox, coyote) –
- Mercer County Wildlife Center
- 1748 River Rd. (Rt. 29), Titusville, NJ 08560
- 609-303-0552
- Wildlife Aid
- 155 Asbury Rd., Egg Harbor Twp., NJ
- 609-927-0538
- Woodford Cedar Run Wildlife Refuge
- 4 Sawmill Road, Medford, NJ
- 856-983-3329
Marine Mammals –
- Marine Mammal Stranding Center
- 3625 Brigantine Boulevard, Brigantine, NJ
- 609-266-0538