NachaLuva
Product Developer
As a wildlife rescuer/shelter helper, I've been lucky enough to be involved with some amazing animals, from baby koalas & wombats to penguins, possums, gliders, echidnas, bats, black swans, blue tongues & more 
I've seen a lot, lol...& learnt a few things that may help anyone who gets into the great outdoors & cares bout our wildlife. As its koala breeding season atm & we're getting more crossing the roads to find some lovely ladies, lol, so car hits are on the rise again, I thought this is a good time to do this thread....
We all get out bush & see lots of wildlife...great :biggrin:
But what do you do if you see an injured koala, kangaroo or wombat? I'm sure this has happened to many of us, sometimes without us even knowing. That dead animal by the side of the road may have a live & healthy young (or 2) in its pouch.
Short answer is, PLEASE don't ignore it!
Call a local wildlife hotline (you often see the signs posted on roads) or call directories & ask for one.
In SE Melbourne its Animalia Wildlife Shelter 0435 822 699.
You can look us up at www.animaliawildlife.org.au
Michelle runs the shelter & she’ll tell you exactly what you need to do. Her knowledge & animal skill is astounding! I’ve seen her do things you would not think possible :biggrin:
2nd choice would be a vet, but most don't have a clue bout wildlife, esp marsupials & will just euthanise them
Don't believe anything your hear from a certain celebrity vet in Sydney who shall remain nameless lol
A few helpful points:
First Contact Care:
* If you see an animal that looks in trouble, even if it looks dead, pull over & check it. If alive but injured, place it in a cardboard box (not echidnas, they're brilliant diggers) with holes for ventilation, or a crate with a loose fitting lid if you have one. If you don't have either of these, a pillow case or shirt tied at the ends can be used. Don't cradle the animal. Wildlife see us as predators & stress is a big killer so avoid it - keep it dark & quiet so please turn the stereo down or off
* If its dead, check the pouch...don't worry, its not as gross as it seems. If there is a baby inside, DON'T pull it off the teat, that may injure its delicate mouth/jaw. Use a pair of scissors to cut the teat.
*Wombats & koalas have backward facing pouches.
*If the animal is dead with no young, look around for a joey, he may be out of the pouch but will remain nearby. Then please drag the body away from the road. Many animals esp birds are hit by cars while scavenging on a carcass
* Provide warmth; injured or orphaned wildlife cannot regulate body temperature. Fill a hot water bottle or soft drink bottle with hot water, not boiling. Ensure you wrap the bottle twice in a towel & place the bottle next to the animal, scrunching the rest of the towel over & around the animal.
Do not provide warmth to echidnas.
* DON'T give the animal anything to eat.
* If its hot & you cant contact a wildlife carer & the animal looks dehydrated, offer them some water (not pouch young). We use syringes (needle-less lol) but if you don't have one try a spoon or small bowl. Don't let them have too much until you contact a carer.
*There's a lot of hype about bats atm. Most of it is rubbish!! However, they can carry the lyssavirus, which if left untreated can be fatal. In Australia there is only one recorded case of this. If you're scratched or bitten by a bat you're rescuing, your doctor can give you a shot for it. My advice is to exercise much caution with bats, but don't be paranoid! :lol:
* Birds need caution not to damage their flight feathers, which can take a looong time to heal. Fishing line entanglement &/or hooks can be tricky as the bird needs to be caught but is often able to fly. Stealth is your friend :iconwink:
CAUTION: water birds with a long pointy beak & a long neck are fish catchers. They are very good at this & as a defense will deliberately try to poke your eyes. Wear glasses & keep your head well away. Best is to throw a towel over them & loosely hold the beak through the towel
*Penguins are not meant to be on the beach. If you see one, catch it & treat as above in point 1. Penguins are warm blooded birds & its probably exhausted & very cold. The biggest misconception is they need to be kept cool...they don't, they need warmth.
* If you see a seal on the beach, DON'T approach it. They not only are protected (the fine for harassing a seal is up to $25,000), but can & will bite in defense. Their mouths often contain salmonella.
* If you see a mouse or rat running around your campsite, don't presume that's what it is. There are many small native marsupials who can be difficult to tell apart, many of which are on the verge of extinction.
As I think of more, I'll add to this post.
Remember, many Australian species are threatened or endangered, esp koalas. They need our help.
If we don't help them, many iconic Aussie animals wont be around for the next generation....
I've seen a lot, lol...& learnt a few things that may help anyone who gets into the great outdoors & cares bout our wildlife. As its koala breeding season atm & we're getting more crossing the roads to find some lovely ladies, lol, so car hits are on the rise again, I thought this is a good time to do this thread....
We all get out bush & see lots of wildlife...great :biggrin:
But what do you do if you see an injured koala, kangaroo or wombat? I'm sure this has happened to many of us, sometimes without us even knowing. That dead animal by the side of the road may have a live & healthy young (or 2) in its pouch.
Short answer is, PLEASE don't ignore it!
Call a local wildlife hotline (you often see the signs posted on roads) or call directories & ask for one.
In SE Melbourne its Animalia Wildlife Shelter 0435 822 699.
You can look us up at www.animaliawildlife.org.au
Michelle runs the shelter & she’ll tell you exactly what you need to do. Her knowledge & animal skill is astounding! I’ve seen her do things you would not think possible :biggrin:
2nd choice would be a vet, but most don't have a clue bout wildlife, esp marsupials & will just euthanise them
Don't believe anything your hear from a certain celebrity vet in Sydney who shall remain nameless lol
A few helpful points:
First Contact Care:
* If you see an animal that looks in trouble, even if it looks dead, pull over & check it. If alive but injured, place it in a cardboard box (not echidnas, they're brilliant diggers) with holes for ventilation, or a crate with a loose fitting lid if you have one. If you don't have either of these, a pillow case or shirt tied at the ends can be used. Don't cradle the animal. Wildlife see us as predators & stress is a big killer so avoid it - keep it dark & quiet so please turn the stereo down or off
* If its dead, check the pouch...don't worry, its not as gross as it seems. If there is a baby inside, DON'T pull it off the teat, that may injure its delicate mouth/jaw. Use a pair of scissors to cut the teat.
*Wombats & koalas have backward facing pouches.
*If the animal is dead with no young, look around for a joey, he may be out of the pouch but will remain nearby. Then please drag the body away from the road. Many animals esp birds are hit by cars while scavenging on a carcass
* Provide warmth; injured or orphaned wildlife cannot regulate body temperature. Fill a hot water bottle or soft drink bottle with hot water, not boiling. Ensure you wrap the bottle twice in a towel & place the bottle next to the animal, scrunching the rest of the towel over & around the animal.
Do not provide warmth to echidnas.
* DON'T give the animal anything to eat.
* If its hot & you cant contact a wildlife carer & the animal looks dehydrated, offer them some water (not pouch young). We use syringes (needle-less lol) but if you don't have one try a spoon or small bowl. Don't let them have too much until you contact a carer.
*There's a lot of hype about bats atm. Most of it is rubbish!! However, they can carry the lyssavirus, which if left untreated can be fatal. In Australia there is only one recorded case of this. If you're scratched or bitten by a bat you're rescuing, your doctor can give you a shot for it. My advice is to exercise much caution with bats, but don't be paranoid! :lol:
* Birds need caution not to damage their flight feathers, which can take a looong time to heal. Fishing line entanglement &/or hooks can be tricky as the bird needs to be caught but is often able to fly. Stealth is your friend :iconwink:
CAUTION: water birds with a long pointy beak & a long neck are fish catchers. They are very good at this & as a defense will deliberately try to poke your eyes. Wear glasses & keep your head well away. Best is to throw a towel over them & loosely hold the beak through the towel
*Penguins are not meant to be on the beach. If you see one, catch it & treat as above in point 1. Penguins are warm blooded birds & its probably exhausted & very cold. The biggest misconception is they need to be kept cool...they don't, they need warmth.
* If you see a seal on the beach, DON'T approach it. They not only are protected (the fine for harassing a seal is up to $25,000), but can & will bite in defense. Their mouths often contain salmonella.
* If you see a mouse or rat running around your campsite, don't presume that's what it is. There are many small native marsupials who can be difficult to tell apart, many of which are on the verge of extinction.
As I think of more, I'll add to this post.
Remember, many Australian species are threatened or endangered, esp koalas. They need our help.
If we don't help them, many iconic Aussie animals wont be around for the next generation....
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It's mother was nowhere to be found :sad:
Only thing I can suggest is put the local carer's no in your phone & if you have reception, follow their advice. (or call Michelle from 
