Many of our native wildlife have managed to survive the recent devastating bushfires, but their food source is no longer available. Many are now facing starvation.

With the tireless work of many volunteers conducting food drops in fire affected areas, many lives have been saved; however, there are still large numbers of wildlife which have not been reached and they need our help!!

Wildlife Victoria has been providing the appropriate food free of charge to all wildlife carers, community groups and members of the public interested in doing food drops.

Many accounts across the state have been opened in various food supplies stores, where authorised people can access the food required. With this process, we are trying to support the volunteers, the local businesses and most importantly, the wildlife.

General information regarding food drops for wildlife in fire affected areas

Intensity of the fire. Depending on the type of fire some areas burn more intensely than others and will take a longer period of time to recover. Other areas recover quickly, especially after the rain.  These factors help us to determine the length of time animals need to be fed, however they best test is to regularly evaluate the food re-growth (or repopulation for insectivorous and carnivorous species).

Vicinity to other bushy areas. If the area in consideration is located near to bushes still in good condition, the wildlife could have access to part of their food from there. In cases where everything around the area has been destroyed, the food for the animals needs to be provided until regeneration starts its process.

Species. It is important to know what species of animals are present to provide for them in the best possible way with due consideration for their dietary requirements.

Population. A general assessment of the quantity of animals needing food is also important to calculate the amount of food required. It is important to keep the animals in their natural or territorial areas whenever it is possible.

Wildlife’s natural food. Knowing the natural food of the animals will help to assess when it is available again within the area, so the food drops can start decreasing.
Having all this information in mind, a general plan can be put in place, with regular assessments to see if adjustments need to be made.
As soon as the animals have access to their food again, the amount of food can start to decrease slowly to allow the environment to complete its recovery process and also to promote the independence of the animals from the supplementary food.

Environmental Considerations. The risk of spreading environmental weeds is also a point to consider when using food sources with seeds in them. The proliferation of exotic plants in the middle of the bushes, must be prevented, particularly now when they are more fragile than ever. The long term survival of the wildlife depends on the long term survival of their natural habitats.
Feeding from private properties is advised, since DSE prohibits the use of public land to feed wildlife.
Cleaning up feeding stations regularly is also imperative for environmental and health reasons.

Feeding Birds: According with their diet, there are many groups of birds: meat, insect, nectar, fruit and seed eaters. Regarding seed eaters, it is important to be careful not to offer any big seeds like sunflower seeds, since they have too much fat content and they could be harmful to the birds. Small seeds are closer to their natural source of food. Cockatiel, canary or budgie seeds could be used mixed with chopped dark green and/or orange vegetables and vitamin A.

Feeding Macropods and Wombats: A mix of kangaroo and pasture replacement pellets is a good nutritious and balanced diet for the kangaroos, wallabies and wombats, with the benefit of not spreading weeds. Some animals could take a little while to recognize the pellets as food. Rolled oats can also be offered to wombats.

Wildlife Feeding Guidelines

Here are some general guidelines which have been established to ensure both the well being of the animals and their nutritional requirements, as well as the protection of the environment that supports us all.

...If we really care about our wildlife, we need to care just as much about the environment that supports it...

• Only feed on private land with the land owner’s consent. Leaving food for wildlife in public land is prohibited by DSE due to the environmental and health risks involved.
  
• Using food with seeds and grains in it could spread environmental weeds into the forest, unbalancing the fragile ecosystem and therefore, affecting wildlife in the long term.
  
• We recommend kangaroo and wallaby pellets in combination with pasture replacement pellets, since processed food does not pose a risk of weeds spreading.
  
• Some animals will take a while to recognise this type of food, but eventually they will start eating it.
  
• For birds, use small seeds such as cockatiel mixed with fresh green and/or orange vegetables. Do not use sunflower seeds.
  
• Clean up feeding stations regularly to avoid health hazards.
  
• Feed away from roads and dangerous places for the wildlife. Many animals survived the fires and now they have been killed by cars.
  
• When natural food is available, start reducing supplementary food to avoid dependency.
  
• When using hay, be aware that Meadow and grass hay have seeds in them. Lucerne hay does not have seeds, but it may predispose macropods to lumpy jaw.

To register as a volunteer or for assistance and advice regarding food drops for wildlife in fire affected areas, please contact:

Adriana Simmonds
Food Drop Coordinator
Wildlife Victoria
E: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
M: 0423 242 037 F:  (03) 9445 0310
Address: Kindness House, Suite 3, 288 Brunswick St, Fitzroy 3065