CARING FOR WILDLIFE IN THE ACT

WHAT YOU SHOULD DO IF YOU FIND A WILD ANIMAL

1. Assess if the animal really needs rescuing? Would the animal, with rest and quiet, simply go in it’s way ?

2. If you decide that the animal is genuinely sick, injured or orphaned: Make sure it it is safe to approach the animal; pick it up gently and contain it in a box or carry cage (preferably with a towel on the base so the animal has something to grip). Keep an orphan warm. Do not feed milk to joeys

Be careful: birds and possums can bite or scratch, adult kangaroos can kick hard. NEVER handle a bat as a small percentage may carry Australian Bat Lyssavirus, a rabies-like virus.

3. Take the animal to the RSPCA Wildlife Hospital during work hours or call ACT Wildlife on 0432 300 033 for advice.

Rescuing, providing care, shelter and food for injured and orphaned native animals is expensive and donations are always welcome. Donations of $2 and over are tax dedutable - please email donations@actwildlife.net

CONTACT DETAILSPhone | 0432 300 033

Email | info@actwildlife.net

Web | www.actwildlife.net

| ACT Wildlife

INJURED ANIMAL HOTLINE

0432 300 033

International Fund for Animal Welfare

ACT WILDLIFEACT Wildlife is working with RSPCA-ACT to rehabilitate sick, injured and orphaned native animals in the Australian Capital Territory. ACT Wildlife is licensed to take and care for native animals by Territory and Municipal Services.

Native animals living in urban areas are frequently affected by human activites. They may be hit by a car, caught by a cat or dog or lose their habitat causing competition for territory or nesting sites.

Whatever the reason, native animals sometimes need our help in order to resume their lives, whether that is recovery from injury/illness or being raised when orphaned. ACT Wildlife carers are trained and dedicated to returning wildlife to nature. When an injured or orphaned animal is found by member of the public the animal will be assessed by a vet or experienced carer, given emergency aid and then rehabilitated or raised to maturity and returned to the wild. In some cases an animal may be too injured to survive and, when assessed by a vet, may be euthanased.

OTHER WILDLIFE ISSUES IN URBAN AREAS

POSSUMS IN THE ROOF – Locate the entrance where the possum is getting in and out. After the possum leaves at night block up the hole. Consider putting a possum box in a neaby tree, but be aware that it is an offence to relocate a possum further than 50 metres from it’s home. Alternatively, a registered pest control company can also provide assistance.

SWOOPING MAGPIES – Magpies swoop to protect their chicks within their territory. You can avoid being swooped easily by walking a different route. This typically occurs in September/October each year.

SNAKES – Snakes only come into gardens to find water and will move on without intervention. Snakes can be removed but you must be able to keep an eye on it or the Territory and Municiple Services Rangers may not attend. In the meantime bring pets and children indoors.

BEE SWARMS – Call the Beeline on 1900 925 222.

KANGAROOS – For an injured kangaroo or wallaby call Canberra Connect on 13 22 81.

HOW TO HELP WILDLIFE

To encourage wildlife to your garden and keep them safe:

• keep cats inside 24 hours a day;

• contain dogs in your yard and on a leash when walking;

• possums and birds sometimes nest in chimneys. Before your first winter fire burn some wet paper to smoke them out and seal the top with a metal grill;

• discard fishing line, hooks and sinkers responsibly. They can be swallowed by swans, ducks and turtles. Other rubbish, especially plastics, is also vary hazardous to many animals;

• do not feed bread to any birds, particularly waterbirds, because it swells in their crop and can kill them;

• grow native plants to attract birds to your garden;

• use fruit tree netting that is bird and bat friendly, that you cannot poke your finger through. HAILGUARD brand is recommended http://www.wildlifefriendlyfencing.com/WFF/Netting.html