Helping wildlife in emergencies
We share the community’s concern for South Australian wildlife affected by emergency events, including bushfires, floods, marine pollution events like oil spills or disease outbreak.
The Department of Primary Industries and Regions (PIRSA) leads the management of animals in emergencies, including wildlife. We support PIRSA, along with other participating agencies, to minimise the likelihood of wildlife suffering during these events.
During, or as a result of, an emergency event, it is possible to come across native animals that have been injured, orphaned or displaced. We understand that you may want to help these animals, and it is important you know what to do to keep yourself and the animal safe.
Approaching wildlife can be risky for you and for the animals. Rescued animals require specialised care and treatment to recover before they are returned to the wild.
Your safety is important
Places such as firegrounds and floodwaters are dangerous. Don’t enter these areas to look for injured wildlife unless it is safe, you are suitably prepared, and you have been approved to do so by the landowner. Please also be mindful of access restrictions in place, such as off-limits areas and road closures.
Finding injured wildlife
Depending on the emergency situation, there are different steps you can take to report injured wildlife.
If you don’t have the necessary skills or experience to care for the animal:
1. Seek advice or organise to give the animal to an experienced rescue group or carer. The best way to find a carer is to search the internet by location and type of animal. Some of the major rescue groups that operate across the state include:
- Fauna Rescue SA’s Wildlife Hotline (24 hours) (08) 8289 0896
- Save Our Wildlife Foundation Inc (24 hours) (08) 7120 6610
- Koala Rescue (24 hours, koala rescue only) 0474 737 283
- Wildlife Welfare Organisation (24 hours, Fleurieu Peninsula) 0434 114 628
2. Where it is safe for you and the animal, you can take the animal to a local veterinary clinic for assessment.
3. If found in a national park, contact the NPWS regional duty officer.
If you do have the necessary skills and experience and intend to keep and provide short-term care for the injured animal:
Ensure you have the required rescue or rehabilitate native animal permit.
Caring for injured wildlife
Rescued native animals require specialised care and treatment to recover and be returned to the wild. It’s critical that they are taken care of properly, and don’t suffer because the person caring for them lacks the correct skills, experience and resources.
In South Australia, you require a permit to care for injured wildlife. You can find more information about permits at rescue or rehabilitate native animal permits.
Moving wildlife
The department regulates if and how native animals can be moved, consistent with relevant laws while considering the possible effects of movement.
Generally, the department does not support moving native animals because of an emergency event. However, advice may be provided based on the specific emergency scenario.
If you are an ecologist and have concerns about a particular species affected by an emergency event, such as a threatened species, we encourage you to contact translocation@sa.gov.au for further advice.
You can find more information at moving native animals.
Providing food and water
In general, we advise against feeding or providing water to our native wildlife. It can alter their natural behaviour, cause poor nutrition and spread disease, among other things.
However, when undertaken correctly, providing some short-term assistance sometimes can be beneficial after an emergency event.
Water
Accessing clean, fresh water can be an issue for wildlife after some emergency events. One way that you can help is by providing a safe supply of clean water on a short-term basis and changing it daily to prevent the spread of disease.
Some tips include:
- Clean, thoroughly dry, and refill water containers daily with fresh water, or use a refilling water station, to prevent the spread of disease.
- Wash your hands before and after cleaning and drying water containers.
- Provide water at both ground level (suitable for most mammals, birds and reptiles) and elevated in trees for animals that are reluctant to visit the ground (such as possums and some birds).
- Water containers should be shallow, robust and stable. Add a rock or stick (or other suitable material) to help smaller animals safely access the water.
- Place water at least 50 m away from public roads. Rather than one large water container, provide several small containers with a lower volume of water.
- Where possible, place water containers in shaded areas with a small amount of clear area around the container to encourage timid species and reduce the risk of predators.
- Do not add electrolytes, rehydration solutions or sugar to water.
- As conditions improve you should begin to phase out the supply of water stations.
Food
Feeding wildlife after an emergency event is generally not recommended as it can cause a range of issues, both for the animals themselves and the recovering environment.
In many cases, native wildlife will move to nearby areas of native vegetation to support their needs. In these scenarios, the best thing you can do to help is provide water only, following our advice above.
In some cases the department may issue specific feeding recommendations depending on the emergency, based on information gathered from the affected area and expert advice.
