Often when a whale is found stranded on a beach, the first reaction of humans is to help return the whale to the sea. But returning a stranded whale back to the sea is not always the most humane course of action given that the whale may be injured or…
Much of the public concern about the shooting of kangaroos stems from the killing of females and the resultant death of their joeys. The Australian National Code of Practice for the Humane Shooting of Kangaroos and Wallabies for Commercial Purposes (2020) and Australian National Code of Practice for the Humane…
Due to a range of factors, including traditional farming practices, provision of man-made water sources, and land disturbance, kangaroo populations can reach very high densities in many areas of Australia. It is unlikely that major changes to the way in which we farm or manage our land will occur in the short-term,…
All kangaroo shooters are required to abide by either the Australian National Code of Practice for the Humane Shooting of Kangaroos and Wallabies for Commercial Purposes (2020) or the Australian National Code of Practice for the Humane Shooting of Kangaroos and Wallabies for Non-Commercial Purposes (2008). The key differences between…
Exclusion fencing has been used in various contexts in Australia to prevent predation and environmental damage by pest animal species for over a century. Predation by wild dogs and dingoes has a devastating impact on sheep and cattle, particularly young animals who suffer significantly from being chased and mauled. Many…
When sick, injured or orphaned wild animals are taken into care, they should be assessed by a veterinarian as soon as possible. To be considered for rehabilitation and release, wild animals must be able to recover and reach a stage where they are well enough to seek food and fend…
If you find a sick or injured wild animal, contact your nearest veterinarian or wildlife carer organisation as soon as possible to seek advice on appropriate treatment. Wild animals become stressed when being handled, so make sure you seek expert advice before handling an injured animal. Try to minimise the amount…
First you need to check that the bird really is injured or abandoned. In the nesting season, birds that have recently fledged (left the nest) are sometimes found on the ground while their parent(s) are nearby feeding. The bird might look abandoned, but often it isn’t. If the baby is…
In Australia, many different methods are used to control or kill animals classed as pests. These methods include chemicals and toxins for poisoning animals, biological control, physical methods such as traps to capture animals, shooting, and non-lethal methods such as exclusion fencing and fertility control. These methods vary greatly in…
In a world first, a sheep named Dolly was born in 1996. She was a clone of her mother, created using the genetic material from a cell in the ewe’s udder. Dolly sparked an intense public debate on cloning. In response, a year later, a high-level report on the Implications…