Found an injured or weakened wild animal?
Every year, many wild animals require urgent assistance due to injuries, illness, or loss of habitat. For protected species, it is especially important to act correctly – both for their well-being and in accordance with the legislation governing their care.
On this page, you will find the basic steps to take so the animal receives professional help and the best possible chance of returning to the wild.
Ensure Safety
Assess the Situation and Protect the Animal
If the animal is in a dangerous location (road, near predators), carefully protect it from further harm. Avoid unnecessary handling and use gloves.
Do Not Provide Unnecessary Care
Avoid Improper Help
Do not feed or give water to an injured or weakened animal, as this can cause further harm. Do not keep protected wild animals at home, this is prohibited by law.
Contact an Authorized Wildlife Rescue Centre Immediately
Call Without Delay
Call the official licensed provider for the care of protected wild animals.
1.Clinic for Small, Wild and Exotic animals
- +386 31 813 097
2. Veterinary Faculty, University of Ljubljana
- 01/4779-248
- 01/4779-251
Legal Responsibilities When Finding a Protected Wild Animal
Under Article 92 of the Nature Conservation Act (ZON) and the Rules on Shelters for Protected Wild Animals(Official Gazette RS No. 116/03), the following applies:
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Only licensed shelters with a valid government concession are permitted to house and rehabilitate protected wild animals.
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Veterinary clinics may provide emergency treatment, but must transfer the animal to an authorized shelter as soon as possible.
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The finder is legally obligated to ensure the protected animal reaches an official shelter.
This means:
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You must contact an authorized provider immediately, or
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Transport the animal directly to the shelter, if instructed and safe to do so.
For all small and non-dangerous animals, the finder is required to arrange transport to the shelter after prior coordination with one of the official wildlife centres.
Keeping or holding a protected wild animal without proper authorization and professional supervision is illegaland may constitute a criminal or administrative offence under Slovenian environmental and animal welfare law.
Any unauthorized detention, even with good intentions, can lead to serious legal consequences, including fines or prosecution.
When Is It Appropriate to Intervene and Help a Wild Animal?
Not every wild animal found outside its natural environment needs rescuing. Unnecessary interventions often cause more harm than good.
Help is needed when:
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The animal is visibly injured (e.g. bleeding, limping, broken wing, open wounds).
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The animal appears very weak, unresponsive, or disoriented.
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The animal is in immediate danger, such as:
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Lying on a road or sidewalk.
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Trapped in nets, fences, chimneys, or other man-made structures.
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Caught by a cat or dog.
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The animal is a juvenile and:
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Its parents are confirmed dead or absent for an extended period (hours).
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It is too young to thermoregulate or move (e.g. hatchlings, eyes still closed).
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Do NOT intervene when:
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You see a fledgling (young bird with feathers) hopping on the ground but otherwise alert and active.
→ This is a normal stage in the development of many birds (especially blackbirds, thrushes, owls, kestrels).
According to international best practice guidelines (e.g. EAZA, RSPB, IUCN), healthy fledglings should not be removed from the area unless they are in direct, life-threatening danger. If needed, they may be gently relocated a few meters away to a nearby bush, tree, or safe spot, never taken home.
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You see a young animal alone, but it's well hidden and not in distress.
→ Many species leave their young hidden during the day. -
You feel emotional distress but the animal is physically fine.
→ Wild animals are not pets and may suffer more from captivity than nature.
When in doubt – don’t guess. Contact an official wildlife centre.
Unauthorized handling of protected wild animals can result in injury to the animal, stress, imprinting, or even legal penalties.
Who is responsible for helping protected wildlife?
In Slovenia, the rescue, care, and rehabilitation of protected wild animals is a public service regulated by national law. The Ministry of Natural Resources and Spatial Planning (MNVP) is responsible for assigning this duty through an official concession.
Authorized Providers
(as of 2025)
According to current legislation, the following institutions are officially authorized for the care of protected wild animals:
1. Clinic for Small, Wild and Exotic animals - Golob d.o.o.
(Main rescue centre and wildlife national shelter in Slovenia)
Glavni trg 7
2366 Muta
+386 31 813 097
2.Clinic for Birds, Reptiles and Small Mammals, Veterinary Faculty, University of Ljubljana
(Provision of care and medical treatment for wild animals, most commonly birds, and certain species of reptiles and mammals, including supportive therapy and advanced diagnostics.)
Cesta v mestni log 47
1000 Ljubljana
01/4779-248
01/4779-251
https://www.vf.uni-lj.si/podrocje/klinika-za-ptice-male-sesalce-plazilce
3. Aquarium Piran – Science Centre of the University of Primorska
(Operation of a rescue and rehabilitation centre for loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta) and other marine wildlife.)
Kidričevo nabrežje 4
6330 Piran
+386 51 215 702
4. Tular cave laboratory
(Care and protection of injured or found olm (Proteus anguinus), maintenance of live populations for research and conservation, Scientific work in the field of cave organism biology and endangered subterranean ecosystems, education and awareness-raising on the importance of cave fauna and the protection of the karst environment)
Oldhamska cesta 8a
4000 Kranj
+386 31 804 163