I found a toucan with an injured wing on the ground near my garage yesterday morning. It's breathing, but can't fly. I don't know if I should try to catch it to take it somewhere or just leave it alone. What do you guys do in situations like this?
If it's injured and can't fly, don't leave it outside because it'll become easy prey for a cat or another predator. The best thing to do is call a wildlife rehabilitation center or environmental institute in your area - they have the facilities to care for it and will know exactly what to do about the wing. In the meantime, put the toucan in a quiet place that's well ventilated, away from noise and domestic animals, and keep food and water nearby.
Is the toucan still in the same spot or has he already left? If he's left, just leave it alone - sometimes they manage to recover on their own. If he's still there, contact the animal rehabilitation center closest to you or the environmental authorities in your area before you touch him, because there are specific procedures for wild birds and he might have disease or parasites. While you wait for instructions, put an open box near him with water and food to keep dogs or cats from attacking him, but don't stress him out.
I had a similar situation with an injured bird in my yard and the best thing I did was contact the rehabilitation center closest to me right away - they have the right knowledge and equipment to help without hurting the animal further. If it has a damaged wing and can't fly, it won't recover on its own and it becomes vulnerable to predators or to stress itself. Try calling a wildlife center or animal protection association in your area, explain the situation and they'll guide you on whether it needs to go there right away or if there's something you need to do safely while you wait.
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