Question 1

Who do I call?

Accepted Answer

• If you find injured or orphaned wildlife, please FIND HELP NEARBY via our website or call Wildlife Rescue Australia on 1300 596 457 (Australia wide, 24/7).

• For large injured wildlife on or near a roadway, please contact Police on 000 for assistance.

• For any non-native, domestic, or farm animals, please contact your local shire as we do not have the expertise to deal with them.

• We are also unable to assist with domestic work such as animals trapped in roofs, walls, etc. Help for Wildlife is not licenced to assist with those sorts of issues. Please contact Humane Animal Solutions on 0421 782 731.

Question 2

What to do if I collided with an animal or spotted dead/injured wildlife?

Accepted Answer

If you hit wildlife or stop to do a pouch check of deceased wildlife, please make sure you are safely parked off the road with your hazard lights on. If safe to do so, move wildlife off the road.

• If on a busy road or major highway, please call 000 for Police assistance.

• For rescue assistance, FIND HELP NEARBY via our website or call Australian Animal Rescue 0430 883 083, Wildlife Rescue Australia 1300 596 457.

• Please remember all these organisations are run by volunteers and not paid people. They volunteer their time to help. Please leave a message if unable to get through. They will return your call.

Question 3

How do I check a pouch and remove joeys from a pouch?

Accepted Answer

Marsupials have pouches. Kangaroos, wallabies, wombats, possums, koalas, gliders, echidna, quolls are just some of the animals you may see injured or killed on the side of the road.
 
If safe to do so, stop and check if the animal is alive. If so, please contact us for assistance. If deceased, please use disposable gloves to check its pouch to see if any young are inside.
 
 • You can do this by looking for any movement and by placing your hand over the outside of pouch area to feel for young. If there is a pouch young, carefully place your hand inside or gently roll back the pouch opening and scoop the baby out. Do not pull on any limbs or pull off the teat as this can cause injury. Keep the baby warm and contact us. DO NOT attempt to feed or give fluids. If you are not confident in doing any of the above, or if it’s not safe to do so, do not attempt it.

• Please FIND HELP NEARBY via our website for assistance/advice.

• Always keep a large old towel, pillow case, torch, disposable gloves, scissors, welding gloves, sanitizer and a folded up box in your car.

Refer to the "How-To Video Guides" on our Learn page for additional instruction.

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Question 4

What do I do if I find orphaned wildlife?

Accepted Answer

Wildlife if found injured or orphaned and is safe to do so, must be kept in a safe quiet place until you can take it to your nearest vet or licensed carer. Wildlife must not be kept or treated by members of the public unless they are a licensed vet or licensed wildlife carer. These animals need specialist care and food.

If you are confident to pick up a smaller animal such as a possum or bird, have a large towel and box ready. Injured animals are frightened and may bite or scratch. Throw a towel over the animal and slide it into a box. If injured please take it to your nearest vet. If no vets are open near you, keep the animal contained in a well-ventilated box in a quiet area, and take it to your nearest vet as soon as they are open. They will not charge. It will need vet assessment before it goes to a carer.

• Wildlife when scared or injured may retaliate by biting, kicking, or scratching. This can cause serious injury. DO NOT APPROACH unless safe to do so.

• It is especially important to keep orphaned wildlife warm.

• Do not attempt to feed any wildlife.

Question 5

What to do if I spot a kangaroo/wallaby caught in the fence?

Accepted Answer

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Please cover the animal with a blanket, ensuring its head is completely covered.  Approach the property owner to cut fence. This releases the tension on the animal’s leg/hip and can reduce injury. Keep the animal covered as this will reduce its stress.

• Only attempt to do the above if safe to do so.

• FIND HELP NEARBY via our website for assistance/advice.

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