Imagine you’re driving down a windy road when you spot an injured possum.Your instincts might tell you to hit the brakes, check what’s wrong and bundle it into your car.Research shows many of us want to help wild animals in distress. This may be out of empathy, obligation or simply wanting to do the right thing.But as Australia rapidly responds to its first cases of H5N1 bird flu, authorities are urging the public to avoid contact with sick or dying wildlife. This conflicts with our innate desire to help. Our new research shows why “rescuing” a wild animal in distress, despite best intentions, can sometimes lead to unintended consequences.An ethical challengeH5N1 bird flu has finally reached all continents, arriving on Australian shores in June via a sick seabird. As of Thursday, there are 17 confirmed cases in Australia.This deadly virus is highly infectious and can spread between birds, many mammals and some kinds of livestock, zoo animals and pets. It rarely infects humans. Since the first H5N1 detection in Australia, authorities have consistently asked the public to “avoid, record and report” any sick or dead animals. This message seems simple. But it aims to balance a complex mix of factors including public health, animal biosecurity and wildlife conservation.And it begs the question, should we ever rescue ill or injured wildlife? Read more: Bird flu is here. Can we stop the spread? What we studiedIn our new paper, we used several case studies to illustrate how “saving” distressed wildlife may lead to some complicated problems.Let’s unpack some of them.An orphaned magpieIn Australia, hand-rearing orphaned birds and marsupials is one of the most common ways we rescue wildlife. This process typically involves providing an animal with a makeshift nest or pouch, and feeding it an artificial diet. It also requires close contact between the caregiver and the animal.In many cases, hand-rearing saves animals that would otherwise struggle to survive. However, not all young animals found alone need our help. For many species, the death of offspring is a natural part of life in the wild.Hand-rearing comes with certain risks. Hand-reared animals may become “imprinted” on humans, whereby they form a strong, long-lasting social attachment to the species that reared them. This may mean they lose their “wildness” and fail to develop the behaviours and skills needed to survive in the wild. Read more: Saving burned or injured animals draws our sympathy. But some don’t survive after release. Here’s why We see this with rescued magpies. There are several well-known cases of people raising rescued magpies alongside dogs and other predatory species, without the necessary permits. Such activities are illegal in Australia, and highlight the risks of keeping wild animals in captivity for extended periods. Poor fitness, unsuitable nutrition and the harmful perception that wildlife make suitable pets are just three of these risks. These activities can also create conflicts with environmental authorities and wildlife advocates.A sick wombatResearch suggests demand for wildlfe rescue services are increasing. Generally, wildlife carers and authorities aim to treat sick or distressed animals by bringing them into temporary captivity. Sometimes there are calls to provide treatments to animals remaining in the wild. However, this is not always possible or straightforward.Take the bare-nosed wombat, for example, a species that’s found across south-eastern Australia. These wombats are susceptible to sarcoptic mange, a severe skin disease that can be fatal if left untreated. Read more: Disease in the dirt: how mange-causing mites decimated a Tasmanian wombat population It’s possible to treat affected wombats in the field, but we can also capture and bring them into care. In some cases, euthanasia may be necessary. Each approach comes with certain risks and benefits. And the jury is still out as to what kind of treatment is best from an animal welfare perspective.Treating unwell animals in the wild can endanger the health of other species if they share the same habitat. For instance, certain parasite treatments – such as moxidectin and fluralaner – may be effective to kill mites on wombats. However, they may contaminate the broader ecosystem. In the wild, it’s difficult to monitor animals for side effects and locate any that need additional treatment. It’s also harder to curb the spread of disease within a population.A vulnerable koalaNow let’s consider a koala that’s been injured by a bushfire. It may be possible to treat it for mild burns and smoke inhalation in care. It will also need a steady supply of food, namely the leaves of particular eucalyptus trees. But collecting large amounts of these leaves for hospitalised animals may mean surviving koalas in the fireground go hungry. Read more: Hundreds of animals were rescued after the Black Summer bushfires – but how many actually survived? So, what should I do instead?Deciding whether to help a wild animal – and how best to treat it if you do – requires careful deliberation, training and ethical judgement.Wild animals can’t tell us whether they want help or not. And animals may get more stressed if they are handled or placed in captivity.Licensed wildlife rehabilitators, wildlife veterinarians and government officers are among those who have the tough job of trying to compassionately balance many important factors. These include animal welfare, human safety, environmental health and the responsible use of limited resources. Those involved in wildlife care must hone their ethical decision-making skills. “Rescuing” an animal may seem simple, but often involves making complex choices. So before attempting to help a wild animal, it’s best to stop, think and seek advice from those with the necessary experience and expertise.One helpful tool is the International Fund for Animal Welfare’s Wildlife Rescue App, which can connect you with the closest wildlife rescue group. You should also report any sick or dead birds by ringing the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline on 1800 675 888.Michelle Campbell-Ward is president of the Zoo and Wildlife Chapter of the Australian and New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists, an executive committee member of the Australian Veterinary Conservation Biologists and a member of the Wildlife Disease Association. She is a board member of Wildlife Health Australia, a casual employee with Taronga Conservation Society Australia and a recipient of a WIRES National Grant. Anne Quain has been a consultant or volunteer for Animal Management in Rural and Remote Indigenous Communities, iCatCare, the Cat Protection Society of New South Wales, the Royal Agricultural Society and RSPCA Australia. She is a member of the Australian Veterinary Association and the Australian and New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists, and a diplomate and subcommittee chair of the European College of Animal Welfare and Behaviour Medicine in Animal Welfare Science, Ethics and Law. She has been a recipient of an Australian Companion Animal Health Foundation Grant, and has undertaken two project-based residencies at The Ethics Centre.