DFW Wildlife Hotline

03/05/2026

🌱Spring means cottontail rabbits are nesting, and many moms are building nests in yards, gardens, and other places that may seem inconvenient. As development grows, wildlife often has fewer safe places to go.

🐰If you see a rabbit running through your yard, she may be trying to get back to her nest to feed her babies. Please don’t let children chase rabbits or other wild animals. Chasing can cause extreme stress, and rabbits can even suffer heart attacks from fear. It can also cause a mother to run so far that she struggles to find her babies again.

Children naturally love animals—this is a wonderful opportunity to teach compassion and respect for wildlife. The best way to help is simple: observe from a distance and let wild animals be wild. 🐇💚

📞Questions? Concerns?
Call us (972) 234-9453 (WILD)

02/27/2026

Please read & share this post in prep about egret season 🐣

When your wild neighbors are messy!

🌱The mission of the DFW Wildlife Coalition is to reduce the incidence of orphaned and euthanized native wildlife in the DFW metroplex through public outreach and education.

🌱Each year hundreds of herons and egrets are orphaned because the parents chose the wrong real estate (nesting site).Hundreds of ducks are orphaned because the parents chose your yard with a pool to have their young. Last year Roger’s Wildlife Center received 1800 orphaned egrets, herons, and ducks.

🌱ACTION IS REQUIRED NOW! 🌱

🌱With spring upon us, the yellow crowned or black crowned night heron are scotting for a rookery site. You do not want to host a rookery! You can discourage nesting provided eggs have not been laid. Several deterrents are available and must be implemented before a nest has eggs.

🌱Please read, share on neighborhood apps and pages. SHARE AND SHARE AGAIN! Help us to help the wildlife remain with their wild parents by selecting the right location for their nests.

🌱It is so easy! Deterrents can be the scare eye balloons, mylar tape, or predator calls just to name a few. You can find these on the DFW Wildlife Coalition Hotline Amazon store.
https://www.dfwwildlife.org/products/

🌱Texas Parks and Wildlife urban biologist, Rachel Richter has shared her presentation on Rookeries at the following link:

Nuisance Rookery Management:

https://www.nctcog.org/getmedia/aa9fd197-35da-4594-96fe-401a1a7c2d47/2022-05-10_Avian-Webinar_Rachel-Richter_Egrets.pdf

🌱Please help the young/nestling egrets and herons remain with their wild parents! Simply share and or take action to prevent nesting in your yard. There are alternative nesting sites the herons and egrets can claim. Let them know your yard is not available.

🌱Thank you, stay tuned. We will discuss ducks in our next posts.

🌱For wildlife emergencies and concerns please contact DFW Wildlife Hotline to speak to one of our volunteers from 7 A.M. - 10 P.M. daily at:
972-234-9453 (WILD)

Photo credit: Rachel Richter

02/22/2026

🌿🐾 Happy National Wildlife Day! 🐾🌿

Today — February 22, 2026 — we celebrate National Wildlife Day, a moment to honor the incredible wild animals that share our world and the vital role they play in our ecosystems.

At the DFW Wildlife Hotline, we’re here 7 days a week — even on holidays — for every call about orphaned, injured, or curious wildlife. 🦉🦌🦅

Thank you to the compassionate people of North Texas who call, care, and take action to protect our local wildlife. Your calls make a difference — for every fluttering wing, every fawn, and every curious critter that crosses our path. 💚

📞 Need help or have questions about wildlife?
We’re here — always ready to listen and assist.

02/12/2026

🚫🍼 Why You Should NOT Feed or Give Water to Wildlife 🐦🦝

During baby season, it’s natural to want to help—but feeding or giving water to wildlife can do serious harm, especially to babies.

⚠️ Here’s why:
• Baby birds and mammals can aspirate liquid—water given by a dropper, syringe, or bottle can go down the windpipe instead of the stomach, causing lung damage, pneumonia, or death. (Baby birds get the hydration they need from their food; they do not need to drink water separately.)
• Improper foods can cause digestive damage, choking, or fatal nutritional imbalances
•Body temperature and method of hydration varies for each species. That is why care from a rehabber is crucial as soon as possible
• Stress from handling and feeding can worsen injuries or shock

🛑 What to do instead:
✔️ Place the animal in a quiet, dark, warm container (box with air holes)
✔️ Keep pets, children, and noise away
✔️ Do NOT give food or water
✔️ Contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator immediately and follow their instructions exactly

🚗 Transporting wildlife safely:
• Keep the container secure and covered
• Maintain warmth (especially for babies)
• Limit handling and talking
• Get the animal to a rehabber as soon as possible

💚 Licensed rehabbers are trained to provide species-specific care. Following their directions gives wildlife the best chance of survival.

When in doubt—don’t feed, don’t water, call a rehabber.

📞Questions? Concerns?
Call us (972) 234-9453 (WILD)

NorthTexasWildlife WildlifeBabySeason DoNoHarm WildlifeRehab BirdRescue MammalRescue NTXNature

02/02/2026

Today is Groundhog Day! Punxsutawney Phil says six more weeks of winter! 🐿️❄️

While North Texas winters can be unpredictable, wildlife is still navigating colder nights and changing conditions.

If you see animals out and about, it’s a normal part of surviving the season—please observe from a distance and let nature do its thing.

📞Questions? Concerns?
Call us (972) 234-9453 (WILD)

01/29/2026

Wildlife Baby Season Is Almost Here!
January and early spring bring calls about baby ducks, baby squirrels, and other young mammals, and knowing what to do can save lives.
🦆 Baby Duck Season:
Mother ducks start scouting nesting spots now, and backyard pools are prime real estate. Once an egg is in the nest, it is illegal to move or disturb it. If you don’t want ducks nesting, act early with pool deterrents like beach balls, Mylar balloons, or pool covers.
🐿️ Baby Squirrels:
Seeing a tiny pink baby with black toenails? That’s likely a baby squirrel. Do not feed or give water. Reuniting babies with their mother is best whenever possible.
📞 Call the Wildlife Hotline immediately if the baby is injured, cold, lethargic, has ants or ticks, was caught by a cat or dog, or if a dead adult is nearby.
When in doubt, call the DFW Wildlife Hotline; our volunteers are here to help people and wildlife coexist safely.

01/26/2026

❄️ Snow tells stories… if you know how to read it! 🐾

When snow blankets North Texas, it gives us a rare peek into the hidden lives of wildlife. Tracks left behind can reveal who’s been visiting, where they’re traveling, and how active they are, even when animals stay out of sight.

In the snow, you might find tracks from:
• 🦌 White-tailed deer
• 🦝 Raccoons
• 🐇 Rabbits
• 🦊 Foxes
• 🐾 Coyotes
• 🐗 Collared peccary (javelina)
• 🐱 Bobcats
• 🦨 Opossums

Some tracks look very similar to pets like dogs and cats, which is why size, shape, and stride matter! Snow and soft mud are the best natural “record keepers” for wildlife movement.

👀 If you’re exploring outdoors:
✔️ Observe tracks from a distance
✔️ Avoid disturbing resting wildlife
✔️ Take photos instead of following tracks
✔️ Keep pets leashed

Seeing tracks is a sign of a healthy, active ecosystem — even in winter. Nature doesn’t stop just because it’s cold!

Have you spotted any tracks lately? Drop a photo or tell us what you found! 👇❄️🐾

📸: texasparkswildlife

https://tpwd.texas.gov/publications/pwdpubs/media/pwd_lf_k0700_0001.pdf

📞Questions? Concerns?
Call us (972) 234-9453 (WILD)

01/24/2026

🧊Preparing Bird Baths for Freezes

North Texas cold snaps approaching before we know it so prepare now in advance

When temperatures dip, birds struggle to find unfrozen water.

Swap water daily, break ice gently, or use a shallow heated dish (never chemicals or salt!).

Clean water saves lives

📞Questions? Concerns?
Call us (972) 234-9453 (WILD)

01/24/2026

🚨 Severe Winter Weather & Wildlife – North Texas ❄️🦉

North Texas is under a severe winter weather advisory, and freezing rain tonight can be dangerous for wildlife.

If you find injured or orphaned wildlife:
• Contact us immediately
• Place the animal in a quiet, dark, warm container with a clean t-shirt (heating pad half way under the box on lowest setting or make a gently warm rice sock)
• Keep them away from pets and people
• Do NOT give food or water — this can cause serious harm

❗ If you find orphaned wildlife that is cold, wet, or injured, it may need help even if parents are nearby.

Your quick action can save a life. Thank you for looking out for our wild neighbors during this dangerous weather 💙

📞Questions? Concerns?
Call us (972) 234-9453 (WILD)

01/17/2026

✨ How you can help wildlife right now:

• Secure trash cans and avoid leaving pet food outside
• Drive slowly, especially at dawn and dusk
• Keep cats indoors and dogs leashed
• Avoid using rat poison—it harms owls, hawks, foxes, and pets
• If you see young wildlife contact hotline to determine if rescue is warranted

💚Seeing wildlife is a sign of a healthy ecosystem. Let’s coexist safely and respectfully 💚

📞Questions? Concerns?
Call us (972) 234-9453 (WILD)

01/09/2026

🦊 Coyotes & Foxes Are More Visible Now

👀Seeing more coyotes or foxes lately?
That’s normal for this season — shorter days mean more daytime movement, and food sources shift along with less coverage.

💕Mating season is upon us. They usually mate for life & are amazing parents!
Some myths busters:
-They do not lure dogs
-They do not become more aggressive
-Vocalization is not a cause for concern

📝 Larger dogs are a threat to them, and small pets as potential prey

🐶Pets should be supervised, especially during dawn and dusk & kept in a secure yard. Bring pets inside at night.

🐾These animals avoid people and rarely pose a threat.

⚠️Keep pets indoors at night, secure trash, and enjoy watching our native predators from a distance.

📞Questions? Concerns?
Call us (972) 234-9453 (WILD)

📸 karinsaucedo
(One of our calls on the hotline)

01/02/2026

💚 THANK YOU, NORTH TEXAS 💚

Since 2003, our work would not be possible without you. That’s 22 years of compassion, education, and lifesaving action for wildlife across North Texas.

We want to extend our deepest gratitude to:
🦉 Our dedicated volunteers who give their time, energy, and hearts
📞 Everyone who calls our wildlife hotline with questions, concerns, and a genuine desire to help
🦊 Those who take the extra step to protect orphaned and injured wildlife rather than turning away

Every call, every question, every rescue attempt matters. Your willingness to learn, to care, and to act has saved countless wild lives and helped keep wildlife and people safer together.

Thank you for standing up for wildlife — yesterday, today, and for the years to come. 🌿

💚 We couldn’t do this without you. 💚