Injured Wildlife
Bald Head Island is home to a variety of wildlife from the reptiles in our freshwater ponds to a myriad of birds in our skies. As a conservation-minded community, our vision is to live in harmony with nature, and as such we strive to help all wildlife in need.
If you see an animal physically injured, acting strange, or out of its natural habitat, please call:
BHI CONSERVANCY'S 24/7 WILDLIFE EMERGENCY HOTLINE
910-457-0089 OPTION 5
Please do not touch the wildlife.
Wildlife can transmit diseases.
Be sure to leave a voicemail, so we can return your call ASAP!
Please have the following information ready to report:
- Exact location and directions to the stranding site
- Number of animals involved
- Condition of animal (alive, dead, or injured)
- Identification or description of animal (size, color, etc.)
- Names and telephone numbers of people involved
- Date and time of your observations
If there is no answer on the wildlife emergency hotline, please call the following staff members in this order:
- Chris Shank, Executive Director, at 910-338-0910
- Turtle Central Gift Shop, open 7 days a week from 10:00AM-4:00PM at 910-457-0917
If you can’t reach anyone listed above in a timely manner (10-15 minutes) or voicemails aren’t returned quickly, please go ahead and contact the following entities as appropriate based on the type of animal:
Sea Turtle Stranding
Sea Turtle Stranding
CONTACT BHI CONSERVANCY FIRST AT 910-457-0089 OPTION 5
If no one is available in a timely manner, contact officials below:
- Stranding Emergency Number • 252-241-7367
- NC Sea Turtle Stranding Coordinator, Sarah Finn • 910-742-7729
- NC WRC Sea Turtle Program Coordinator, Dr. Matthew Godfrey • 252-728-1528
Please note it is illegal to take any part of a sea turtle, dead or alive, from the beach.
Marine Mammal Stranding
Marine Mammal Stranding
CONTACT BHI CONSERVANCY FIRST AT 910-457-0089 OPTION 5
BHI Conservancy works with the Marine Mammal Stranding Network.
- UNC Wilmington, Bill McLellan & Ann Pabst • 910-962-7266 or 910-264-9816
Bird Stranding
Bird Stranding
CONTACT BHI CONSERVANCY FIRST AT 910-457-0089 OPTION 5
BHI Conservancy works with the Sea Biscuit Wildlife Shelter.
- Sea Biscuit Wildlife Shelter, Mary Ellen Rogers • 910-278-7871 or 910-294-2555
- UNC Wilmington, Bill McLellan & Ann Pabst • 910-962-7266 or 910-264-9816
If you encounter an injured bird on the beach, please remain quiet. Do not handle the bird on your own.
Small Mammals
Small Mammals
CONTACT BHI CONSERVANCY FIRST AT 910-457-0089 OPTION 5
BHI Conservancy works with the Deatsch Small Mammal Shelter or the Carolina.
- Tackapausha Wildlife Shelter • 910-465-3272
- Coastal Carolina Wildlife Rehab • 910-612-9127