Injured or Orphaned Wildlife

If you find an injured or orphaned native animal, call a wildlife rescue organization straight away. The Wildlife Information and Rescue Service (WIRES) can be contacted on 1300 094 737

For special emergency advice for injured or entangled flying foxes or bats, and snakes visit the WIRES website www.wires.org.au

Some general tips for handling sick or injured animals include:

• handle the animal as little as possible to minimize stress
• remove any threat to the animal. Keep cats and dogs away
• place a towel or blanket over the animal and gently place it in a box (cover the top) if it is safe to do so. Put the box in a warm, quiet, dark room
• do not give food or water

Volunteers from wildlife organisations are specially trained to look after native animals, including birds and reptiles. They'll care for the animal until it's ready to be returned to the wild.

It's against the law to keep native animals taken from the wild.

If you're looking for information on the Wollongong Indian Myna Bird Program, you'll find it details in our Environmental Sustainability section.