Wildlife Rescue Website Info

Wildlife Rescue in NSW

Australia’s rich biodiversity is a national treasure, but our native wildlife faces increasing threats from urban development, climate change, road accidents, natural disasters and other negatively impacting human activity.

As a licensed wildlife rescuer and proud member of Wildlife Rescue South Coast (WRSC), I want to share how you can assist injured or orphaned animals, understand your role as a member of the public, and explore how to become more involved in wildlife rescue efforts.

📞 Reporting injured wildlife: who to call

If you encounter sick, injured, or orphaned native animals in New South Wales Australia, it’s crucial to contact trained professionals promptly.

Wildlife Rescue South Coast (WRSC)

  • Kiama to Batemans Bay: 0418 427 214
  • Batemans Bay to the Victorian Border: 0417 238 921

WRSC operates a 24/7 emergency mobile phone service, allowing the public to report injured or orphaned native wildlife directly to volunteers.

WIRES (NSW Wildlife Information, Rescue & Education Service)

WIRES is Australia’s largest wildlife rescue organisation, providing assistance across NSW.

⚠️ What you can and can’t do as a member of the public

While your intentions to help may be commendable, handling wildlife without proper training can be harmful to both you and the animal.

✅ What you can do

  • Call for help immediately: Time is critical. Contact WIRES or WRSC as soon as possible.
  • Check the pouch for young: If you find a deceased marsupial (like a kangaroo or wombat), check for a pouch. If a joey is present, do not attempt to remove it yourself unless advised. Call the wildlife rescue hotline for assistance.
  • Keep the animal safe: If it’s safe to do so, place the animal in a warm, dark, and quiet environment, such as a ventilated box lined with a towel.
  • Note the location: Provide precise details, including landmarks or GPS coordinates, to rescuers. This is extremely important for territorial animals, as they must be released back to the area they were found once recovered.

❌ What you shouldn’t do

  • Do not feed the animal: Feeding can cause more harm than good.
  • Do not handle unless necessary: Wild animals can be dangerous and stressed by human contact. In particular you should never handle bats or snakes as they pose a significant risk to human safety. Kangaroos are strong and can be dangerous.
  • Do not attempt to care for the animal: Without proper training and licensing, it’s illegal and potentially harmful to keep native wildlife.

🚗 Road safety: protecting wildlife at dusk and dawn

Many native animals are nocturnal and most active during dawn and dusk. Some will forage near road sides which increases the risk of road accidents.

  • Drive cautiously: Reduce speed in areas known for wildlife corridors, especially during low-light hours.
  • Stay alert: Watch for road signs indicating wildlife crossing as and be prepared for animals crossing unexpectedly.
  • Use high beams wisely: When safe, use high beams to spot animals from a distance, but dim them for oncoming traffic.
  • Be alert in winter and spring, when juvenile animals become more mobile.
  • If you hit an animal: Stop if safe. Move it off the road if deceased and it is safe to do so. Check the pouch. Call WIRES or WRSC for further guidance.
Wellness check on an Eastern Grey Kangaroo

🦘 Checking a marsupial’s pouch for young (joeys)


When a female marsupial (like a kangaroo, wallaby, possum, or wombat) is injured or killed, her young may still be alive in her pouch. Knowing how to safely check can save a joey’s life. But only attempt this if it’s safe to do so.

Here’s what to do:

  1. Make sure the animal is deceased:
    Approach carefully and check for signs of breathing, movement, or blinking. If in doubt, call a wildlife rescue service immediately.
  2. Determine gender: Check for testicles to identify males; only females have pouches.
  3. Wear gloves and take precautions:
    Use gloves if possible to protect yourself and avoid transferring scent. Marsupials may carry parasites like ticks or fleas.
  4. Gently check the pouch:
    Carefully open the pouch by pulling back the fur and skin around the opening. Look inside with a torch or phone light if visibility is low.
  5. What to look for:
    • A pink, furless joey attached to a teat
    • A furred, partially mobile joey curled inside
    • Joeys can be tiny (the size of a jellybean) or as large as a kitten
  6. Do NOT forcibly remove a joey attached to the teat:
    Pulling can cause severe injury or death. In this case, call a wildlife carer immediately and keep the mother’s body undisturbed until help arrives.
  7. If the joey is detached and mobile:
    • Call a wildlife rescue service or vet right away
    • If advised, use a clean pouch substitute (like a towel, pillowcase or soft cloth) to wrap it
    • Keep it warm (not hot), dark, and quiet
    • Do not try to feed an orphaned joey. They need to be the correct body temperature before being rehydrated. They need special teats and special milk (Marsupials are lactose intolerant)

Checking pouches quickly and gently can be the difference between life and death for orphaned joeys. Even roadside fatalities should be checked. Joeys can survive for several days after the mother has died.

Pouch check information from Wildcare Australia:

🦆 Do not feed wildlife

Feeding wild animals, even with the best intentions, can be harmful and sometimes fatal.

  • Inappropriate food can cause disease or malnutrition (e.g. feeding bread to ducks does not provide the correct nutritional balance, causing deficiencies and predisposing them to health conditions such as “angel wing”).
  • Food settles on the bottom of ponds and rots causing levels of bacteria to rise and can cause things such as botulism, which can kill ducks.
  • Feeding birds from feeding stations can spread beak and feather diseases, and the wrong food (such as feeding mince to magpies) can be harmful.  
  • Danger to safety: In situations where people have been harmed by kangaroos, the animals involved are often those that have been fed by well-meaning members of the public. The kangaroos lose their fear of people and are more likely to become aggressive if they feel threatened, or if the mob has recently been stressed.
  • Feeding can create dependency, lead to human-wildlife conflict, or disrupt natural foraging behaviours.
  • It’s illegal to feed some wildlife in NSW, especially on public land, and can attract penalties.

Instead, support native wildlife by planting native vegetation and providing fresh water.

More Info : WIRES : Let Nature Feed Itself

☀️ Assisting wildlife in extreme heat & bushfire season

Australia’s hot summers can be deadly for wildlife.

  • Leave shallow bowls of clean water around your property. Place sticks or rocks in the bowl so smaller animals can climb out if they fall in. Refill them regularly, especially during hot, dry spells.
  • Don’t leave water in metal containers as they heat up fast and can burn.
  • Provide shade: Create cool refuges in your garden using native plants, shrubs, or shade cloths. A shaded area can be a vital lifeline during the hottest parts of the day.
  • During bushfire season: Wildlife often flee fires dehydrated, disoriented, and injured. If you’re in a bushfire-prone area, consider leaving out water and food that has been recommended in safer zones. Normally WIRES & WRSC would not recommend feeding native animals in the wild as mentioned above. However, during times of crisis wildlife specialists including WIRES are working with landowners and community groups to help surviving wildlife with supplementary food until the situation improves. If there is still vegetation, providing water only is the best way to help. 
  • Check your property for animals seeking shelter under decks, in sheds, or even in laundry areas.
  • Recognising heat stress: If you find an animal panting, disoriented, or lying flat, it may be suffering from heat stress. Do not attempt to feed or give water unless instructed. Call WIRES (1300 094 737) or the Wildlife Rescue South Coast (WRSC) immediately for advice.
  • More Info: WIRES: Emergency food, water & shelter for wildlife.

🌧️ Flood & storm response

Wildlife is vulnerable during natural disasters like floods, fires, and storms.

  • Avoid moving debris immediately. Check first for nesting animals.
  • Rescue animals found in distress (e.g. waterlogged possums, grounded birds) only if it’s safe, and contact WRSC or WIRES.
  • Do not attempt to clean or dry animals. Use a towel to contain them and keep them warm until help arrives.
  • Avoid entering floodwaters or storm-affected areas unless trained.

WRSC and WIRES often increase callouts and deploy emergency teams during natural disasters. This is another reason why trained volunteers are always needed.

🐶 Preventing pets from injuring wildlife

Domestic animals, especially cats and dogs, pose a significant threat to native wildlife.

Avoid leaving pet food outside, which can attract wildlife and increase risks.

Keep cats indoors, especially at dawn and dusk.

Walk dogs on leads, and do not let them roam unsupervised near bushland.

Install escape routes in your garden for wildlife (e.g., possum highways or under-fence gaps for echidnas).

Never dump unwanted pets. It is cruel to the pets, and disastrous to the local fauna.

Native duckling rescue

🌿 Creating a safer environment: fencing and bird netting


Human-made structures can unintentionally trap, injure, or kill native wildlife. Thoughtful choices in your garden can help protect animals while still allowing you to enjoy your outdoor space.

Fencing:
Traditional fencing can block the movement of wildlife, especially ground-dwelling animals like echidnas, wombats, and wallabies. To make fencing more wildlife-friendly:

  • Avoid using barbed wire, which can entangle flying foxes, gliders, and birds. If barbed wire is necessary, consider replacing the top strand with plain wire or installing visible markers like white tape or UV markers.
  • Leave small gaps or install “wildlife gates” at the base of fences to allow passage for wombats and echidnas.
  • Ensure fences are not too high and allow for safe crossings in rural areas.
  • Avoid spike or palisade-style fencing which can impale or trap animals.

Bird & poultry netting:
Incorrect bird netting can be fatal to flying foxes, birds, and reptiles. Choose wildlife-safe alternatives:

  • Only use wildlife-safe netting, with mesh sizes no larger than 5mm x 5mm. A good rule is that if you can poke your finger through, it’s not safe.
  • White or brightly coloured netting increases visibility for flying animals.
  • Stretch netting taut over a frame instead of draping it loosely, reducing the risk of entanglement.
  • Regularly check netting for trapped animals and remove fruit or fallen produce promptly to discourage wildlife from attempting access.

Making these changes not only protects animals but helps prevent heartbreaking and avoidable injuries.

☠️ Avoid using poisons and harmful chemicals

Many commonly used garden and household chemicals like rat poisons, snail baits, herbicides, and pesticides can cause serious harm or death to wildlife.

  • Rodenticides (rat poisons) often work through secondary poisoning: predators like owls, kookaburras, and goannas die after consuming poisoned rodents.
  • Slug and snail pellets can be fatal to blue-tongue lizards and birds.
  • Pesticides and weed killers contaminate food and water sources.

Safer Alternatives:

  • Use humane traps for rodents.
  • Opt for wildlife-safe snail and slug control (like copper tape or crushed eggshells).
  • Choose organic or natural pest control methods where possible.

Even small changes in your backyard or property management can create a safer environment for native species.

🌳 Possum nest boxes: providing safe shelter


Urban expansion and tree clearing have significantly reduced natural tree hollows, which many native species depend on for shelter and breeding. Installing purpose built nest boxes can provide much-needed habitat for possums and other hollow dwelling wildlife.

Why install a nest box?

  • Support displaced wildlife after storms or land clearing.
  • Provide safe breeding areas for ringtail and brushtail possums, gliders, and even birds like parrots and kookaburras.
  • Encourage possums to use designated areas instead of your roof!

Tips for safe and effective installation:

  • Place the box at least 4–5 metres high in a shaded area on a sturdy tree.
  • Ensure the entrance hole size suits the intended species (e.g., 45mm for ringtail possums).
  • Secure the box with straps, not nails, to avoid damaging trees.
  • Monitor the box occasionally but avoid disturbing any animals inside.
  • Clean annually if not in use to prevent disease buildup.

Possum boxes can be bought pre-made or constructed at home with untreated timber. Always research species-specific requirements or consult a local wildlife group for guidance.
LINK: Build a possum nest box.

Possum nesting box at Wirrimbirra wildlife sanctuary

⚖️ Wildlife belongs in the wild: legal restrictions and fines

It is illegal to keep native wildlife as pets in NSW without a proper licence. This includes birds, reptiles, marsupials, and even some frogs.

Why it’s illegal:

  • Native animals have specific needs that most people can’t meet.
  • Keeping them can cause immense stress and health problems.
  • Removing animals from the wild can affect ecosystems and reduce biodiversity.

Penalties:

Under the NSW Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016, penalties for illegal possession can include:

  • Fines of up to $88,000
  • Imprisonment for up to 2 years for serious offences

Always report suspected illegal wildlife keeping to your local National Parks & Wildlife Service or WIRES.

🐨 Becoming a wildlife rescuer or carer

If you’re passionate about helping wildlife, consider becoming a trained volunteer.

WIRES

  • Training courses: WIRES offers a ‘Rescue and Immediate Care’ Course, providing foundational knowledge for rescuing various species.
  • Advanced training: Opportunities for further specialisation in species-specific care are available.
  • Volunteer roles: Beyond rescue and care, roles in administration, fundraising, and education are essential.

Wildlife Rescue South Coast (WRSC)

  • Membership levels: WRSC offers various membership categories, including associate and full members, each with specific training requirements.
  • Training opportunities: WRSC provides training modules, including online courses on emergency wildlife response.
  • Support roles: Volunteers are needed for hotline support, fundraising, administration, and more.

🦇 Species specific information

Detailed information about Australian native animals can be read on the WRSC website. Information includes:

Warnings: What you should be aware of when interacting with these animals.

Injuries: What injuries commonly affect these animals and what you can do if you find an injured mammal.

Diseases: What diseases commonly compact on these mammals and what you should do if you find a sick mammal.

Welcome visitor: What you should and shouldn’t do if you want to attract these animals on to your property.

Unwelcome visitor: What you can do when you find one of these animals in a place it doesn’t belong.

Additional information: find out more about the animals mentioned on each page.

Mammals
Birds
Reptiles

💚 Every action counts

Even if you’re not ready to become a licensed rescuer, there are numerous ways to support wildlife:

  • Donate: Financial contributions help organisations like WIRES and WRSC continue their vital work.
  • Volunteer: Offer your skills in areas like administration, IT, or public education.
  • Spread awareness: Educate others about wildlife safety and the importance of conservation.
  • Create wildlife-friendly spaces: Install nest boxes or plant native vegetation to provide shelter and food for local species.

By understanding how to act responsibly and supporting dedicated organisations, we can all play a part in protecting Australia’s unique wildlife.

Wildlife rescue organisations outside of NSW

Bottle feeding rescue joeys

References :

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