Wildlife may cause injury if not handled correctly or have diseases that can infect people. You should not attempt to rescue a native animal if you don’t have the proper skills.
If it is safe for both you and the animal, here are some things you can do while waiting for a wildlife rescuer or before taking the animal to a veterinarian:
- Cover the animal with a towel or blanket.
- Try to keep the animal calm and safe by placing it in a cardboard box or covered cage if you are able. Ensure the box or cage is secure so the animal can’t escape.
- Put the box somewhere warm, dark and quiet and do not offer any food or water unless advised by a vet or wildlife rescuer.
- If it is an orphaned young animal or a bird, it will need to be kept warm.
- Keep any pets and people well away from the area to reduce stress
- Practice good hygiene during and after handling an animal, wear gloves if possible and wash your hands thoroughly with soapy water or use hand sanitiser afterwards.
- If you are bitten or scratched, clean the injury with warm water and soap (or disinfectant), and seek medical advice.
DO NOT handle bats (flying-foxes or microbats), snakes, monitor lizards (goannas), large macropods (kangaroos or wallabies), raptors (eagles, falcons or hawks) as these animals all require specialist handling.
Only licenced wildlife carers and registered veterinarians can take sick, injured or orphaned wildlife into care – you can’t keep them in your home and look after them.