How to help

FOUND INJURED WILDLIFE?

Many native animals are left suffering after being hit by a car, or trapped on barbed wire or entangled in fruit tree netting. Some injured wildlife have babies in their pouches who will die of starvation if not rescued quickly and provided with expert care.

PLEASE STOP TO CHECK

The safety of you and your family comes first. Don’t put yourself in danger and become the next road victim

Native animals don't know you are trying to help and may bite and scratch
Never touch or handle bats or snakes
Call Wildlife Rescue South Coast as soon as possible.
Take note of the exact location and please mark the spot if you have to leave. If there is a power pole nearby, take note of the number as each one has a unique number.
If the animal has died and is a female check the pouch and the areas nearby for a joey
Keep the joey warm by wrapping it securely in a cotton T-shirt, then jumper, blanket etc and call Wildlife Rescue South Coast for assistance immediately
It is important to keep rescued wildlife warm, dark and undisturbed, and to get them to an expert wildlife carer as soon as possible. Keep them away from pets, children and loud noises

LOCAL WILDLIFE GROUPS

You can become a member, or donate (money or goods). Wildlife rescue groups can always do with additional facilities such as cages, aquariums, pet-carriers, natural foods such as mice, insects and earthworms. If you would like to become a member of Wildlife Rescue South Coast, click here

PETS

If you have cats or dogs, ensure they are under control at all times. Dogs should never be allowed to roam parks or bushland unsupervised. Cats can be destructive to native fauna, and should be kept in at night, when they can do the most damage. Never dump unwanted pets. It is cruel to the pets, and disastrous to the local fauna.

Don't keep Australian wildlife as pets. Some native fauna are legally available through pet shops, but many are protected. It is illegal to capture or keep 'wild' native animals without a permit from the National Parks & Wildlife Service. Some species will not survive in captivity, and may die of shock as a result of being trapped. Others have specific diets. Some birds will not be accepted back into the wild if they have been in captivity for more than a few weeks, and may be attacked and killed by their own kind.

For further information on wildlife as pets please visit the wild4llife website

WILDLIFE IN YOUR GARDEN

If you plant native trees and bushes native to your local area - you will attract native birds and wildlife which feed on them. Place water bowls around the garden, high enough to be safe from cats, and keep them full of water. You can erect nest boxes for possums and place rocks around for lizards to hide under.

Blue tongues love to eat snails. (S. Amesbury)

WATCH OUT ON THE ROAD
Stay alert for wildlife on the roads, especially at dusk and dawn (or plan your trip for a different time)! Many native animals are nocturnal and forage near the roadside at dusk and dawn. Just being aware of this while driving may save the life of a native animal - and possibly help avoid expensive repair bills

This page last updated September 2019