Statutory guidance

Wild birds: licence for vets to rehabilitate certain species (GL08)

Use this general licence to keep disabled schedule 4 wild birds for up to 6 weeks to rehabilitate them.

From:
Natural England
Published
31 December 2013
Last updated
1 January 20242025 — See all updates

Applies to England

Documents

Licence for vets to keep disabled schedule 4 wild birds for rehabilitation (GL08)

HTML

Details

As a veterinary surgeon or practitioner, this licence lets you keep the following species for up to 6 weeks before you must register them:

  • honey buzzards
  • golden eagles
  • white-tailed eagles
  • peregrine falcons
  • goshawks
  • marsh harriers
  • Montagu’s harriers
  • merlins
  • ospreys

You can keep these birds for up to 6 weeks without registering if:

  • the bird is disabled
  • you plan to rehabilitate and release it
  • you’re giving the bird veterinary treatment
  • you record all treatments
  • you keep the treatment records for 2 years from when you received the bird

You do not need to apply for this licence but you must meet its conditions and follow its instructions.

Updates to this page

Published 31 December 2013
Last updated 1 January 2024 2025 + show all updates

  1. Updated this licence to cover the period 1 January to 31 December 2025. Reworded several sections to make the information clearer. Updated licence condition 5 and the 'Avian influenza' information and advice note.

  2. There is an update to this licence for 1 January 2024.

  4. Annual licence updates, valid from 1 January 2023.

  6. Annual licence update, valid from 1 January 2022.

  8. Annual licence update.

  10. Added accessible version of the licence - HTML.

  12. Replaced licence with new version issued 1 January 2020

  14. Replaced licence with new version issued 1 January 2019

  16. Replaced licence with new version issued 1 January 2018

  18. Replaced licence with new version issued 1 January 2017

  20. Replaced licence with new version issued 1 January 2016.

  22. Added updated general licence. New version valid between 1 January and 31 December 2015.

  24. First published.

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