How do I report injured wildlife in Trinidad and Tobago?

Contact WEPTT via the online form at weptt.org/contact. Note the exact location, species if known, and the animal's condition. Do not attempt to handle unknown wildlife without expert guidance. WEPTT will assess the situation by phone and dispatch trained responders if necessary. Not every animal needs human intervention; the team will guide callers through a safe, responsible response.

What should I do if I find a snake in my home or yard in Trinidad and Tobago?

Do not attempt to handle or kill the snake. Most snakes found in residential areas in Trinidad and Tobago are non-venomous and protected under the Conservation of Wildlife Act. Keep people and pets away from the area and monitor where the snake goes. If the snake is indoors, open doors or windows at ground level and allow it to exit on its own. If it remains, or if you believe it may be venomous, contact WEPTT for guidance. Killing or injuring a protected snake is a criminal offence under COWA.

What should I do if I find a bat in my house in Trinidad and Tobago?

Do not handle the bat with bare hands. Bats can carry disease and their bites are not always felt. Keep children and pets out of the room. If the bat is active, open a window or external door at dusk and allow it to navigate out on its own; bats are nocturnal and will leave when given the opportunity. If the bat appears injured or grounded, contact WEPTT. All bat species in Trinidad and Tobago are protected under the Conservation of Wildlife Act and may not be harmed. T&T has approximately 70 bat species, making them one of the most species-rich mammal groups in the country.

What should I do if I find an injured parrot or macaw in Trinidad and Tobago?

Parrots and macaws are fully protected under the Conservation of Wildlife Act. Do not attempt to keep the bird or offer it food or water without guidance. Place it in a quiet, dark, well-ventilated box to reduce stress, then contact WEPTT. Do not force water into the bird's beak, as this can cause aspiration. Orange-winged Parrots, Blue-and-gold Macaws, and Scarlet Macaws are among the species found in T&T; all are protected year-round and possession without a licence is a criminal offence.

Is it legal to kill a snake in Trinidad and Tobago?

No. Under the Conservation of Wildlife Act (COWA), all snake species in Trinidad and Tobago are protected and may not be harmed, killed, or captured without authorisation. This applies equally to venomous and non-venomous species. None of the 47 snake species recorded in T&T appear on the game species list, meaning all are protected year-round. The correct response to a snake in or near your home is to contact WEPTT or the Forestry Division for safe removal. Killing a protected snake is a criminal offence.

What should I do if I find a caiman near my home in Trinidad and Tobago?

Do not approach, feed, or attempt to move a caiman. Spectacled caimans are common in Trinidad and protected under the Conservation of Wildlife Act. They are not aggressive by nature unless cornered or defending a nest. Keep people and pets at a safe distance and contact WEPTT. During the rainy season, displaced caimans often appear in residential drains and flooded yards; they typically return to waterways on their own once flood conditions ease. Killing or injuring a caiman outside the authorised game season is a criminal offence.

Can I keep an iguana I found as a pet in Trinidad and Tobago?

No. Iguanas are listed as game animals under the Conservation of Wildlife Act and are not licensed for private keeping as pets. Keeping any wildlife without authorisation is illegal. If you find an injured iguana, contact WEPTT. Outside the open hunting season (October to December for iguanas), all iguanas are fully protected. During January through March, possession of iguanas carries a fine of TT$10,000 under current regulations.

What should I do if I find a seabird covered in oil in Trinidad and Tobago?

Do not attempt to clean the bird yourself. Oil removal requires controlled conditions, correct degreasing agents, and experienced handlers; improper cleaning can cause fatal hypothermia or aspiration. Keep the bird in a ventilated box away from direct sun and contact WEPTT immediately with your precise location and a description of the bird's condition. Also note the nearest visible source of oil contamination so WEPTT can report the incident to the Environmental Management Authority.

What should I do if I find a sea turtle on the beach in Trinidad and Tobago?

Keep a safe distance and do not disturb a nesting sea turtle or hatchlings. Do not use lights or flash photography near turtles after dark. Do not remove hatchlings from the beach. If a turtle appears injured, entangled, or stranded, contact WEPTT or the Forestry Division immediately. All five sea turtle species found in T&T waters are fully protected as Environmentally Sensitive Species under the Environmental Management Act and under the Conservation of Wildlife Act.

Is it legal to keep wildlife as a pet in Trinidad and Tobago?

Under the Conservation of Wildlife Act (COWA), all wildlife in Trinidad and Tobago is protected by default. Keeping wild animals as pets without a licence is illegal. Only species specifically listed as game animals may be taken during open season with a valid permit. Keeping protected species, including birds, reptiles, and mammals, without authorisation is a criminal offence. This applies to parrots, macaws, monkeys, iguanas, snakes, and all other native wildlife.

What animals does WEPTT rescue in Trinidad and Tobago?

WEPTT handles rescue cases across Trinidad and Tobago for mammals (ocelots, bats, agoutis, manicous, howler monkeys), birds of prey (hawks, ospreys, owls), parrots and macaws, reptiles (snakes, iguanas, caimans, tortoises), all five sea turtle species (leatherback, hawksbill, green, loggerhead, and olive ridley), seabirds (pelicans, frigatebirds, boobies), and stranded marine mammals (dolphins and whales).

How can I volunteer with WEPTT in Trinidad and Tobago?

WEPTT welcomes volunteers for wildlife rescue operations, public education campaigns, coastal and wetland monitoring, and community outreach. To express interest, contact WEPTT via the form at weptt.org/contact. Rescue volunteers are expected to complete a basic wildlife handling orientation before participating in field operations. No prior conservation experience is required, though willingness to respond on short notice is important.

What should I NOT do if I find injured wildlife?

Do not attempt to feed or give water to a distressed animal without guidance. Do not handle unknown species with bare hands. Do not remove sea turtle eggs or hatchlings from the beach. Do not use lights near nesting sea turtles after dark. Do not attempt to treat injuries yourself. Do not try to kill a snake or any other wildlife; killing protected species is a criminal offence. Always contact WEPTT first for guidance before intervening.

What happens to wildlife after it is rescued by WEPTT?

Rescued animals are assessed by a wildlife veterinarian, then undergo rehabilitation focused on recovery of natural behaviours: foraging, movement, social interaction, and environmental conditioning. Where possible, animals are released back into the wild at appropriate sites with monitoring. Non-releasable individuals may be placed with licensed facilities for education or long-term care. Every case is documented for the national wildlife health database.

Rescue & Rehabilitation

When Wildlife Needs Help,
We Respond.

Wildlife rescue is not about sentiment alone; it is a systematic response grounded in animal welfare, species conservation, and public education. WEPTT handles cases across both Trinidad and Tobago, coordinating with government agencies, veterinarians, and trained community responders.

The Rescue Journey

From Distress to Release

Every rescued animal follows a structured pathway from initial contact to recovery. Here's how our rescue and rehabilitation process works.

Report & Triage

A member of the public or a ranger reports an injured or distressed animal. Our team assesses the situation by phone and dispatches experienced handlers if necessary. Not every animal needs human intervention; we guide callers through responsible, safe responses.

Rescue & Stabilisation

Trained responders secure the animal using appropriate handling techniques for the species. Immediate stabilisation, including hydration, temperature control, and wound assessment, begins on-site. Animals are transported in species-appropriate containment to minimise additional stress.

Rehabilitation

Animals are assessed by a wildlife veterinarian. Treatment is tailored to species biology and individual condition. The rehabilitation programme emphasises recovery of natural behaviours: foraging, movement, social interaction, and environmental conditioning for release.

Release or Sanctuary

Where possible, animals are returned to the wild at appropriate release sites with monitoring where feasible. Non-releasable individuals may be placed with licensed facilities for education or long-term care. Every case is documented for our national wildlife health database.

Animals We Assist

Species We Encounter

WEPTT responds to cases involving a wide range of native and protected species across T&T's diverse ecosystems.

Mammals

Ocelots, porcupines, agoutis, bats, manicous

Birds of Prey

Hawks, ospreys, and owls, often injured by wire or shot

Reptiles

Snakes, iguanas, caimans displaced by habitat loss and flooding

Sea Turtles

All 5 species: nesting, entangled, and stranded

Seabirds

Pelicans, frigatebirds, and boobies affected by fishing line injuries and oil spills

Marine Mammals

Dolphins and whales stranded along T&T coastlines

If You Find an Injured Animal

✓Do keep a safe distance. Do not handle unknown species without guidance.

✕Do not attempt to feed or water a distressed animal.

✓Do call WEPTT or the wildlife authority before intervening.

✕Do not remove sea turtle eggs or hatchlings from the beach.

✓Do note the location, species if known, and condition.

✕Do not use lights near nesting sea turtles after dark.

Contact Our Rescue Team

When Wildlife Needs Help,We Respond.