Injured Wildlife 

YOU can help our wildlife by -

• Taking note of animal warning signs and driving slowly through known wildlife areas, particularly at dawn and dusk when our wildlife is active.   Another tip is to turn your interior light on when driving through these areas - this helps give your vehicle some dimension.

• Add the phone numbers of at least one of the wildlife associations to your home and mobile phones so you can easily seek help if you find any injured wildlife.   

• It is always helpful if you can stay with the animal until assistance arrives but if you are unable to do so, try to clearly mark the area with anything you have to hand such as a plastic shopping bag tied to a tree or fence post, or a rock or branch on the side of the road to mark the spot.  

• Only pick up injured wildlife if you can safely do so without endangering yourself or cause further harm to the animal.     Keep a pillowcase, towel/blanket and pair of gloves in your vehicle for just such emergencies.

• Removing dead wildlife from the road so that other wildlife - namely our raptors like Wedge-tailed eagled & Kites - do not get killed while scavenging.  Not a pleasant task and not for the faint hearted but well worth doing!

• Checking the pouches of any dead kangaroos, wallabies or possums for joey young that may still be alive.  If you see an animal on the side of the road marked with a big "X" then you will know that the pouch has already been checked by a wildlife carer.  

• If you do rescue a joey or pick up an injured animal or orphaned bird, keep it warm, dark and quiet - do not over-handle it - keep it away from kids, cats and dogs - DO NOT feed - and contact  a wildlife association for information on the closest Wildlife Shelter to you so that you can pass the animal on or take it your nearest Vet Clinic.  

Please remember that all native wildlife is protected by law and a Government permit is required to hold any wildlife.  You must be authorized by the DSE as a wildlife shelter operator or be a registered foster carer to keep native wildlife in care in Victoria.

Other ways  that you can help our native wildlife is by making a donation to a voluntary organisation if possible, becoming a member of a wildlife association and working as a volunteer.   

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