If you come across an injured or dead animal, here are some helpful tips and numbers to call for information on what to do and where to go in the Albany region.
Sick/injured wildlife rescue numbers for Albany region
Healing Hands Wildlife Care (Great Southern) emergency hotline 24/7 0475 442 202
Born Free 0427 772 312
Dep Parks and Wildlife Wildcare Helpline 9474 9055
Cherish Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation 040484 527 427 or 0402 981 523
Seabird Rescue 0427 513 496
WA Seabird Rescue 08 6102 8464
Facebook Albany and surrounds emergency wildlife care https://www.facebook.com/groups/1144762542201763
Wildlife Rescue Australia 1300 596 457
Sick/injured wildlife rescue numbers for Perth region
FAWN
South West region/Busselton 0438 526 660
Augusta 0420 656 846
Boyanup 0429 775 186
Bunbury 042929 982 800
Margaret River 0403 533 367
Yallingup 0407 441 308
Native Animal Rescue (Perth metro) 9249 3434
Native Arc (Perth, Bibra Lake) 9417 7105
Basic info for handling injured wildlife
Important information to remember when handling an injured or dead animal (information from Native Animal Rescue)
· Do NOT feed or water animals
· Stress can kill; keep quiet and make it dark
· Be aware of weather; if in cold weather, fill a drink bottle with warm water, wrap it in a towel and place bottle with animal to provide warmth. Use air-conditioning in car for transport.
· Do not carry animal on your lap in the car
· Always wash your hands and change your clothes
https://nativeanimalrescue.org.au/animalemergencies/important-information/
What to do when you find a joey in a deceased kangaroo
Information from Native Animal Rescue website
If you see a dead kangaroo on the road, pull the animal off to the side some distance from the road; the carcass can attract other predators that risk getting close to the road. Check to see if there is a joey in the pouch. If the joey is still alive, remove it gently from the pouch. If it has a firm grip on the teat, you may need to cut the teat from the kangaroo, but make sure the cut end has a safety pin or something similar so it cannot be swallowed.
Wrap the joey in a soft towel and keep the joey warm.
Noise can cause stress for joeys and potentially kill them. Keep the joey quiet, do not play with it, keep children and pets away and keep loud noises down.
Do not water or feed. Do not offer it cows milk. This can cause diarrhoea and may cause long-term health issues.
For more information, see https://nativeanimalrescue.org.au/animalemergencies/kangaroo-joeys/
Care for injured/lost birds
Nestling birds
Baby birds- make sure it’s really an orphan!
If you find a nestling on the ground, look in nearby trees and shrubs for a nest and return it there. If you cannot find one, try and make a substitute nest by using a hanging basket and outing it in a tree with the bird in it. Parents will usually locate the baby. Nestlings will often fall after their first attempt at flight; If you see a baby bird with short tail feathers, just put it up as high as you can reach and the parents will find it.
For more information, see https://nativeanimalrescue.org.au/animalemergencies/injured-birds/
Injured Birds
If you find an injured bird, keep it quiet, still and warm. Gently wrap it in a towel and place in a well-ventilated box. Do not attempt to feed bird.
For more information, see https://kb.rspca.org.au/knowledge-base/ive-found-an-injured-or-abandoned-bird-what-should-i-do/#:~:text=If%20you%20find%20a%20bird,secure%20and%20well%2Dventilated%20box.
Care for injured/sick marsupials
Small Marsupials
Adult possums can be very aggressive. Handle with care. Hold it by the scruff of its neck and tail, place in a sturdy box lined with a towel or put it in a hessian sack tied off and put the sack in a box.
Injured Quenda need to be place in a box with towels, jumpers or screwed up newspaper. Quenda generally hide in leaf litter during the day. Handle with care as they have strong claws and sharp teeth like possums.
For more information, see https://nativeanimalrescue.org.au/animalemergencies/small-marsupials/