WILDLIFE RESOURCES

Reporting Wildlife Abuse in San Diego County

If you witness or suspect cruelty, neglect, or illegal harm to wildlife—or if you find an injured or orphaned animal—you play a vital role in protecting our natural heritage.

This one page guide provides quick access to agencies that respond to wildlife emergencies, poaching, environmental violations, and animal cruelty throughout San Diego County. Use it to report urgent issues encountered on trails, preserves, or in your community.

California Department of Fish & Wildlife logo with a yellow bear silhouette and a yellow map of California on a blue shield background.

If you witness a poaching or polluting incident or any fish and wildlife violation, or have information about such a violation, immediately dial the toll free CALTIP number 1 888 334-CALTIP (888 334-2258), 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Or you may submit anonymous tips to CDFW using TIP411. TIP411 is an internet based tool that enables the public to text message an anonymous tip to wildlife officers and lets the officers respond back creating an anonymous two-way conversation.

Anyone with a cell phone may send an anonymous tip to CDFW by texting 'CALTIP', followed by a space and the message, to 847411 (tip411).

Guide explaining when to report wildlife incidents to CDFW, including sightings of dangerous animals, conflicts, unusual behavior, dead animals, and wildlife crimes, with associated icons and the Fallbrook Land Conservancy logo.

San Diego Humane Society – Project Wildlife

Injured or sick wild animals, wildlife in distress, public safety concerns.

Phone: 619 299 7012

After Hours Emergency Dispatch: 619 243 3466

Important Numbers

County of San Diego – Animal Services

Domestic animal cruelty, dangerous animals, some wildlife conflicts.

Phone: 619 767 2675

Environmental Reporting (Pollution / Habitat Damage)

County Environmental Hotline: 888 722 4234

CalEPA Environmental Complaint: calepa.ca.gov/complaints

You should file a Wildlife Incident Report (WIR) with the California Department of Fish & Wildlife (CDFW) any time wildlife, humans, or domestic animals interact in a way that poses a risk, causes harm, or indicates unusual behavior. The following a list of when you should report, according to the CDFW.

1. A wild animal injures or threatens a person

  • Physical contact (bite, scratch, knock-down)

  • Aggressive or unusually bold behavior
    (coyotes following people, a bobcat not fleeing, deer charging, etc.)

2. A wild animal injures or kills a pet or livestock

  • Attacks involving coyotes, mountain lions, bobcats, bears, or raptors

  • Repeated predation incidents on your property

3. A mountain lion sighting that is abnormal or concerning

  • Mountain lion seen near homes, schools, playgrounds, or acting boldly

  • A lion that does not flee, appears injured, or shows disorientation

(Note: Normal, distant sightings in wild habitat do NOT need reporting.)

4. Sick, injured, or unusually behaving wildlife

  • Animals showing signs of:

    • Rabies (staggering, aggression, paralysis)

    • Rodenticide poisoning

    • Severe mange

    • Injury from vehicles, fencing, or human activity

  • Birds with unusual illness patterns (potential avian flu)

5. Dead wildlife when the cause is unusual or unclear. Report wildlife mortality.

  • Multiple animals found dead at once (possible disease)

  • A dead mountain lion, bear, or other protected species

  • A poaching or illegal take suspicion

6. Potential wildlife crime

  • Poaching, trapping, shooting, or harassment

  • Illegal possession of wildlife

  • Someone destroying nests, dens, or habitat unlawfully

7. When your HOA, city, or land conservancy requests documentation. Often for:

  • Recurring coyote conflicts

  • Housing development impacts

  • Formal records for public safety policies

For more information and specific guidance on sighting and reporting, please contact CDFW directly.

If You Witness Immediate Danger or a Crime in Progress Call 911 and describe the situation clearly. Law enforcement can coordinate with wildlife officers.

When reporting, include: location (GPS if possible), species involved, photos/video (if safe), and a brief description of the situation.