Injured animals

What should I do if I find an injured native animal

Call Wildlife Information and Rescue Services (WIRES) on 1300 094 737

Animal First Aid - what you should do

Caution is required when handling many species of wildlife.  WIRES gives full advice on how to handle injured wildlife.  Some of this advice is summarised below:

• Check for danger - to yourself, others and the animal.  If you are driving, pull over safely to the side of the road.  The animal should be approached cautiously especially if it is a reptile.  If the animal is alive try to divert the traffic around it but DO NOT PUT yourself in danger in doing this.
• Handle the animal as little as possible to minimise stress.
• Remove any threat to the animal.  Keep cats and dogs away.
• Place a towel or blanket over the animal and gently place it in a box (cover the top) if it is safe to do so.  Put the box in a warm, quiet, dark room.
• Do not give food or water.

Volunteers from wildlife organisations are specially trained to look after various native animals including birds and reptiles.  They will look after the animal until it is ready to be returned to the wild.  It is against the law to keep native animals taken from the wild.