Australia is home to a remarkable variety of wildlife. From the sea to the sky, the country hosts many native and introduced animal species. Due to increasing urbanization and subsequent habitat loss, you may encounter wild animals that appear displaced, sick, or injured. The desire to intervene and help is natural, but it is crucial to first establish that these animals require genuine assistance, and that by doing so, you will not be putting your safety at risk. If you are at all unsure, please seek the advice of a professional.

This factsheet will help guide you through the decision-making process when you come across wildlife that may require your assistance, and will direct you to the appropriate organizations for further support.

© David Selbert / Pexels

Always observe an animal from a safe distance first. Some animals, such as reptiles when basking, can appear immobile. This is part of their normal behavioral repertoire, and should be left undisturbed. Rehabilitation and release of some wildlife species following human contact and captivity can be difficult and sometimes unsuccessful. It is therefore important to determine that an animal genuinely requires assistance before any intervention. An animal may require human intervention if you observe the following:

• Evidence of bleeding or an open wound.
• Lameness: note that some reptiles, such as blue-tongue lizards, can have missing limbs following an old injury but do not necessarily require assistance.
• In species that can fly, inability to take flight.
• Prolonged periods of immobility: observe over a few hours.
• Evidence of respiratory distress: gasping, panting, wheezing, increased breathing effort.
• Recent animal attack or road traffic accident.
• Entrapment by foreign objects, eg agricultural netting, plastic tags.
• Nocturnal animals, eg possums, out in the open during daytime.
• Animals displaced from their natural habitat, eg a wild snake inside a residential premises, a marine mammal on dry land or in shallow waters.

Ensure the animal requires genuine assistance

Keep yourself safe

Keep the animal safe

Note the exact location where the wild animal was found

Contact or transport the animal to an appropriate organization for professional assistance

As with other juvenile animals, they may not always require assistance. Chicks transition through several developmental stages as they grow and gain independence. Very young chicks, known as nestlings, are fully dependent on their ‘parents’ and their nest environment. They are not able to stand or perch, their eyes may be unopened, and may be unfeathered or only partially feathered. As nestlings grow, they become fledglings as they start to perch and flap but not necessarily fly well. Fledglings will spend time out of the nest. At this stage, their parents are usually close by, or will return after several hours. Nestlings will require assistance if you find them on the ground. Try to identify its nest if possible. If this is accessible and the nestling appears uninjured, try to return it to its nest. If this is not possible, a makeshift nest can be constructed from an uncovered plastic, eg ice cream container or cardboard box lined with leaf litter, grass, and/or twigs. Place the nestling in the container and move this into a tree as close as possible to where the nestling was found. Monitor the nestling in its nest over the next few hours to check if its parents return to attend to it. Do not feed it. Fledglings do not always require assistance. If you feel a fledgling is in a precarious situation, monitor it over the next 30-60 minutes before offering any intervention. If the weather is inclement, ie extreme heat, wet, or cold, a makeshift shelter similar to that described above, can be provided and placed under a tree with foliage cover near where the bird was found whilst you continue to monitor it. Contact your local wildlife rescue organization (see details below) if you find a chick that is injured or unwell, or appear abandoned (lack of attendance by its parents after several hours). Minimize handling of any chicks. If you must handle it, do so gently and as little as possible to avoid causing injury and inducing additional stress. Do not feed it or offer it any water.

In Australia, all wild birds can potentially carry avian influenza virus (bird flu). However, mortality in wild birds due to avian influenza has never been reported in Australia. Avian influenza virus is potentially zoonotic, causing signs in humans that range from mild illness to severe respiratory disease and death. There are currently no reports of locally-acquired human infection associated with handling of birds, either wild or captive, in Australia. Globally, most human avian influenza infections occurred after close contact with infected poultry or with objects contaminated by their feces. Although guidelines will evolve over time based on government recommendations and global and national disease status, the risk of acquiring avian influenza in immunocompetent humans through contact with wild birds in Australia is currently considered low.

In Australia, possessing or rehabilitating a native animal without authority is illegal under the Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016 and can lead to prosecution. Wildlife rehabilitation services are primarily delivered in Australia by registered wildlife rehabilitation organizations, each with volunteer members providing care from their homes or registered wildlife facilities. Their services are supported by registered veterinarians in Australia. These wildlife organizations provide training, mentoring, and supervision to support participants in wildlife rescue and rehabilitation so that the best outcomes for displaced, sick, or injured native wildlife can be achieved. In Australia, a number of introduced species, such as the Indian mynah bird and the domestic pigeon have established feral populations in many cities and towns. These animals have adapted to our environment, and thrived in the absence of any natural predators. The legislation regarding any sick or injured non-native, introduced animals is less clearly defined. Regardless, as veterinary assessment and treatment is still essential for these animals, it is best that they are safely and quickly transported to your nearest veterinary hospital for professional assistance.

Extreme weather events such as heatwaves, bushfires, storms, and floods are becoming increasing common due to climate change. Most wildlife in the impacted areas will be unable to escape and will often perish, but others may become critically injured and/or displaced in their attempts to flee. The most important thing in these events is to keep yourself safe. Follow evacuation orders, and take any pets with you as you do so. Be vigilant on the road as you leave, and watch for any wildlife. In heatwaves, shallow bowls of water can be left out for wildlife. Place a few sticks or stones on one side to allow smaller animals to escape if they fall in. Change the water daily and monitor for excessive contamination. Do not force water directly into the mouth of any animal. If you find a displaced, sick, or injured wild animal, follow the above advice (“How should I help a wild animal in need?”) to assist it.

With increasing urbanization, humans and wild animals are living closer than ever before. Human activity can unfortunately interfere with wildlife habitats and natural behaviors, increasing the risk of injuries and displacement for wild animals. Below are some ideas that you can do to improve the quality of life for native wildlife in your neighborhood.

• Avoid using netting in gardens and backyards. Bats, birds and snakes are often found entangled in garden netting, which can cause significant injury. Safer alternatives include:
  • Fruit protection bags to individually protect fruit.
  • Densely woven nets or netting with holes smaller than 5mm.
  • White netting as it is easier for animals to see.
• Avoid using chemical and pesticides such as snail and rat bait. These products can have unintended effects on wildlife, with possums often eating rat bait by mistake and species such as reptiles and birds accidentally poisoned after eating baited snails and rodents.
• Keep pets secure and away from wildlife. Not only can this keep wildlife safe but will also keep your pets safe. Wild animals can be dangerous and can potentially carry diseases and parasites, such as paralysis ticks, that can affect your pets.
• Create and improve habitat in your backyard:
  • Plant native trees, shrubs and grasses (eg eucalypts), which create shelter and food sources.
  • Protect tree hollows and install hollow and nest boxes for native species, which are needed by many species for shelter and to raise their young.
  • Create a frog-friendly pond.
  • Create shelter and habitat with items such as large rocks or bricks.

Australian Capital Territory

ACT Wildlife  - all species except kangaroos

RSPCA ACT

New South Wales

Sydney Wildlife Rescue – Greater Sydney, native animals

WIRES  - NSW-wide native animals

NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service –  marine animals

Northern Territory

Darwin Wildlife Sanctuary

Wildcare NT

Home

Queensland

Far North QLD Wildlife Rescue

Nth Queensland Wildlife Care - Townsville & surrounds

Wildlife Rescue NQ Wildlife

Pine Rivers Koala Care - Moreton Bay and North Brisbane areas

RSPCA QLD

Tablelands Wildlife Rescue Inc - Cairns and surrounding tablelands

Wildcare - South East QLD: Brisbane, Gympie, Toowoomba & Gold Coast

South Australia

SA Fauna Rescue

Tasmania

Bonorong Sanctuary

Victoria

Wildlife Victoria

Western Australia

Wildcare