How to help sick, injured or orphaned wildlife
If you encounter sick, injured or orphaned wildlife please phone 1300 ANIMAL (1300 264 625) to give the animal the best chance of survival.
The 1300 ANIMAL call centre operates between 7am and 7pm, 365 days a year. After hours arrangements are in place to ensure help is available. Visit the RSPCA website for information on who to contact after hours.
Even if the wild animal doesn't seem severely injured, they may have internal injuries (serious or not) needing attention from a specialist carer.
If you witness a dog, cat or other domestic pet interacting with a wild animal, please contact the call centre. A small scratch or contact with another animal’s saliva can transfer harmful bacteria to the native animal. placing them in danger or in need of special diagnosis and treatment.
Only licensed wildlife carers are permitted to keep and care for native wildlife. These experts have the necessary skills and knowledge to provide the best possible chance for the animals' recovery and successful return to their natural habitat.
What to expect when you call 1300 ANIMAL
Operators at 1300 ANIMAL will ask you a series of questions and provide specialist advice on the safest way to respond to the situation.
Depending on the species and circumstance, the operator may:
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Offer first aid advice and guidance on how to appropriately handle the animal
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Dispatch a licensed wildlife carer or the wildlife ambulance to rescue the animal
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Request that you transport the animal to a nearby wildlife hospital.
Remember to record the location where you found the animal so it can be returned to the same place once it has been treated and rehabilitated.
You will not be charged for the call, nor will you be required to share any personal information.
Snakes are protected under the Nature Conservation Act 1992 and it is an offence to kill, injure or take snakes from the wild. If you do encounter a snake, stay calm and back away to a safe distance.
Snakes on private property
If the snake is located on private property, please contact an accredited snake relocator. Snake relocators can be found in the yellow pages, via google or social media. For further advice please call the Department of Environment and Heritage Protection on 1300 130 372.
Snakes on Council property
If the snake is located on Council property in an area of high traffic i.e public toilet block or playground, please contact Council on 1300 Council (1300 268 624) and provide our Customer Contact Officers with a location and description of the snake.