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.
Applies to England
Documents
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
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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.
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There is an update to this licence for 1 January 2024.
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Annual licence updates, valid from 1 January 2023.
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Annual licence update, valid from 1 January 2022.
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Annual licence update.
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Added accessible version of the licence - HTML.
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Replaced licence with new version issued 1 January 2020
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Replaced licence with new version issued 1 January 2019
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Replaced licence with new version issued 1 January 2018
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Replaced licence with new version issued 1 January 2017
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Replaced licence with new version issued 1 January 2016.
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Added updated general licence. New version valid between 1 January and 31 December 2015.
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First published.