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 of exposure the injured animal has to people and loud noises. Do not attempt to feed or treat them unless you have specialist knowledge or training.
To search online for a wildlife rescue group near you, visit the Australian Fauna Care Network at www.fauna.org.au or download the IFAW Wildlife Rescue App.
Or call the Wildlife Rescue Australia 24-hour call centre on 1300 596 457.
State and territory contact details for injured wildlife are:
Australian Capital Territory
- RSPCA ACT at www.rspca-act.org.au/contact-injured-wildlife on (02) 6287 8100 (business hours)
- ACT Wildlife at www.actwildlife.net on 0432 300 033 (24 hours)
- For injured kangaroos call Access Canberra after hours: 13 22 81
- Wombat Rescue: 0424 935 989
- Canberra Snake Rescue and Relocation: 0405 405 604
Note: Local vets are required under local veterinary laws to accept all native wildlife from members of the public, including RSPCA ACT.
New South Wales
- WIRES (Wildlife Information Rescue and Education Service) at www.wires.org.au on 1300 094 737
- NSW Wildlife Council has a list of wildlife rescue groups in NSW
Northern Territory
- Wildcare at wildcareinc.com.au or 08 8988 6121 or 0408 885 341
- Ark Aid at thearkvet.com/wildlife-rescue 08 8932 9738 or 08 8988 6121
- Northern Territory Government at nt.gov.au/environment/animals/report-injured-wildlife-or-rescue
- Darwin Wildlife Sanctuary 0473 992 581
Queensland
South Australia
- SANAR (https://sanativeanimalrescue.org.au/)
- Wildlife Welfare Org SA (https://wwosa.org.au/)
- SOWFI (Save Our Wildlife Foundation https://www.save-our-wildlife.org.au/)
- Fauna Rescue SA (https://www.faunarescue.org.au/)
Tasmania
- Wildlife Management Branch at dpipwe.tas.gov.au/wildlife-management or on 1300 827 727
- Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary 0447 264 625
Victoria
Western Australia
- Wildcare Helpline at www.dbca.wa.gov.au/wildlife-and-ecosystems/animals/wildcare-helpline or on 08 9474 9055