Other than transport to a veterinarian or wildlife rehabilitator, it is important that only those appropriately experienced in the care of wildlife interact with or care for injured, sick or abandoned wildlife. This is to ensure the animal gets appropriate care and can be released back into the wild as soon as possible.

For specific guidance on the rescue, first aid and care of different wildlife species, please refer to the Victorian Wildlife Rehabilitation Guidelines(opens in a new window).

Whales, dolphins, seals, marine turtles, platypus and fish cannot be acquired, received, kept, possessed, destroyed or disposed of by wildlife rehabilitators. If these species are brought into care, please contact us by calling 136 186(opens in a new window) or emailing us(opens in a new window).

If you’re still unsure about veterinary care for wildlife, please reach out to us for a discussion of your individual circumstances by calling 136 186 or emailing us.

Wildlife must be assessed as soon as practicable to enable early diagnosis of their care needs. This is a condition of wildlife rehabilitation authorisations. Wildlife are highly stressed by human contact, and minimising the time spent in a clinic or other care setting is likely to improve rehabilitation success.

It is up to the veterinarian to determine the best course of action for treating sick, injured or abandoned wildlife, including prescribing medication or euthanising wildlife if necessary.

It can be beneficial for registered veterinarians that don’t treat wildlife regularly to seek expert advice or second opinions when needed, such as from wildlife veterinarians or animal keepers at zoological institutions.

Only registered veterinary practitioners can undertake surgical treatment of wildlife and determine the use and dosage of medication. This includes surgery, administering anaesthesia, setting bones, suturing skin, amputations of limbs or appendages (including tails), and injections into veins or bone cavities.

Any surgical treatment that is extensive or is likely to jeopardise the animal’s chances of survival in the wild post release should not be attempted.

Sedatives or tranquillisers used in darting an animal for capture, assessment and/or transport have restricted possession and trade laws. Anyone using a dart gun or tranquilliser must be appropriately licensed and under direct veterinary supervision.

To protect animal welfare, it is illegal to contravene or fail to comply with veterinary directions or requirements. Requirements under other legislation, including the Wildlife Act, must still be met.

If you’re still unsure about veterinary care for wildlife, please reach out to us for a discussion of your individual circumstances by calling 136 186 or emailing us.

Euthanasia of injured wildlife is sometimes necessary to prevent further pain, trauma or suffering of an animal that is unlikely to survive in the wild, even with extensive treatment and recovery. Humane and safe methods of euthanasia must be used.

Under law, registered veterinarians have the power to euthanise animals in certain circumstances, such as if they reasonably believe that:

1. The animal is likely to cause serious injury or death to any person or animal, or
2. The animal’s condition would cause continued suffering if it remained alive.

This includes where the wildlife:

• Is suffering from unreasonable and/or incurable pain, distress, trauma, sickness or injury
• Has lost essential limbs or function of limbs, including tails
• Has permanent vital sensory loss (hearing, sight, smell, taste)
• Has an incurable (can be treated but not cured) infectious disease or chronic illness
• Has permanent damage to their nervous system
• Is likely to require extensive surgery to survive
• Is unable to adjust to temporary care
• Is likely to require extended periods in captivity to be rehabilitated
• Is unlikely to survive or integrate in the wild
• Is under-developed young (e.g. un-furred young or ‘pinkies’).

Extensive periods of care may cause wildlife to develop dependence on humans, display unnatural behaviours, or have difficulty competing for territory upon release. If the animal cannot be released back into the wild, humane euthanasia is necessary.

It is inhumane to take an animal from the wild and keep it in captivity permanently.

If you’re still unsure about veterinary care for wildlife, please reach out to us for a discussion of your individual circumstances by calling 136 186 or emailing us.

A wildlife rehabilitator is a wildlife foster carer (person) or wildlife shelter authorised under the Wildlife Act 1975 to rehabilitate sick, injured or orphaned wildlife. They are sometimes referred to as wildlife carers or foster carers.

The authorisations are issued by the Conservation Regulator to ensure sick, injured or orphaned wildlife receive appropriate before being released back to their home range in the wild.

Animals received by wildlife rehabilitators must be assessed within 48 hours by a registered veterinary practitioner. Phone consultations are appropriate in some cases, such as in remote areas where in-person consultations are not practical.

Wildlife cannot be kept long-term and is not the property of the wildlife rehabilitator.

If a veterinarian is concerned about the level of care being provided, the likelihood of release, or capacity to provide appropriate care, they may refuse to release wildlife to the wildlife rehabilitator and contact the Conservation Regulator.

If this occurs, the veterinarian may:

• Allocate the wildlife to a known, appropriate carer if rehabilitation is achievable
• Transfer the wildlife to a wildlife veterinarian for further assessment
• Humanely euthanise the animal.

Wildlife rehabilitators are subject to conditions attached to their authorisation. Further information on these conditions is available in our Wildlife Rehabilitator Authorisation Guide(opens in a new window).

The Victorian Wildlife Rehabilitation Guidelines(opens in a new window) have also been developed to support wildlife rehabilitators adhere to these conditions.

We encourage wildlife rehabilitators and veterinarians to develop partnerships and work together to deliver the most appropriate outcomes for sick, injured, orphaned or abandoned wildlife.

If you’re still unsure about veterinary care for wildlife, please reach out to us for a discussion of your individual circumstances by calling 136 186 or emailing us.

If you’re still unsure about veterinary care for wildlife, please reach out to us for a discussion of your individual circumstances by calling 136 186(opens in a new window) or emailing us(opens in a new window).