What’s up Skip - Been rescued by someone who isn’t a wildlife rehabilitator?

Victorians are being reminded not to take injured or orphaned native animals home with them.

Chief Conservation Regulator Kate Gavens said while the intentions might be good, in most cases it’s not the best outcome for an orphaned or injured wild animal, such as kangaroo joeys, to be taken to someone’s house who isn’t authorised to do so.

People taking wildlife home may also face fines and can risk exposure to diseases to themselves or their pets. If unauthorised people take in wildlife, the animals can be exposed to domestic animals, loud human living environments and inappropriate, and sometimes unsafe caring and feeding techniques.

For example - an orphaned Eastern Grey Kangaroo joey was reportedly found by the roadside and kept by well-meaning people who did not have the skills or knowledge to care for her properly. Fortunately for this joey, the Conservation Regulator received a call about her situation and officers took her to a wildlife shelter near Bendigo where she was found to be sick and undernourished and is now receiving specialised care.

If members of the public encounter sick, injured or orphaned wildlife they should call the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action on 136 186 or use the Help for Injured Wildlife tool. Wildlife rehabilitation is undertaken by a diverse network of authorised and experienced volunteer shelter operators and foster carers and are supported by wildlife rescuers and registered veterinarians.

It is illegal in Victoria to take and keep sick, injured or orphaned wildlife from the wild. Taking native animals from the wild without authorisation is an offence under the Wildlife Act 1975 that carries a fine of up to $9879.50 and/or 6 months imprisonment.

Members of the community picking up sick animals can also increase the risk of spreading diseases including avian influenza. State and Commonwealth agencies are working together to ensure the potential impacts of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) outbreaks are minimised including helping wildlife rehabilitators to prepare for any outbreak of the H5N1 strain which has not been detected in Australia to date.

For more information on the response to HPAI outbreaks go to https://www.wildlife.vic.gov.au/sick-injured-or-orphaned-wildlife/high-pathogenic-avian-influenza For more information on caring for native wildlife or becoming an authorised Wildlife Shelter or Foster Carer go to https://www.vic.gov.au/wildlife-rehabilitation-shelters-and-foster-carers

Quotes attributable to Chief Conservation Regulator Kate Gavens

“Sick, injured, or orphaned wildlife need specialised care or they may become habituated to humans and domestic animals, potentially losing their natural instincts and behaviours, hindering their ability to be released and survive in the wild.”

“If you find an injured or orphaned wildlife, it’s in the animal’s best interests for you to call 136 186 or use the Help for Injured Wildlife online tool to find a trained rehabilitator who can take proper care of them.”