In the Yambaru region, people and wildlife share many of the same spaces, so encounters with injured or dead wild animals are not uncommon. Wildlife may be injured or killed by natural causes or by wildlife-vehicle collisions or by predation by feral dogs and cats.
The Yambaru Ranger Office and related organizations rescue injured wildlife and recover dead animals. If you encounter an injured or dead wild animal, please follow the guidance below.
When handling wild animals, never touch them with your bare hands. Wear disposable gloves or other protective gloves.
After rescuing or recovering a wild animal, disinfect your hands and any surfaces that came into contact with the animal to help prevent the spread of infectious diseases.
Do not approach or attempt to capture a wild animal if doing so may put you at risk. Injured animals may behave unpredictably.
Do not freeze dead animals as this may obscure the cause of death. Please keep the carcass at room temperature or refrigerator temperature.
Encounters with Injured or Dead Endangered Animals
For endangered species such as the Okinawa rail or the Ryukyu long-furred rat, the Yambaru Ranger Office is responsible for rescuing injured animals and recovering dead animals. If you find an injured or dead endangered animal, immediately check the list below and call the appropriate contact point.
April through May is the breeding season for many birds in Okinawa, so you may come across young birds on the ground. In most cases, these fledglings have recently left the nest and are learning to fly, with their parents watching over them from nearby. Never approach or attempt to rescue these birds. Leave them where they are.
Picking up a young bird separates it from its parents and may prevent it from learning essential survival skills, such as how to fly and find food. Although you may feel concerned and have good intentions, the very best thing you can do is to leave the chick in the care of its parents.
*For endangered species, such as the Okinawa rail, please contact the Yambaru Ranger Office. *Under Japan's Wildlife Protection, Control, and Hunting Management Act, it is illegal to capture or keep wild birds without permission.
