Listed below are some of the more common questions that we receive on the Emergency Phone. We consider that no question is too simple to ask, the Emergency Phone Operators are always pleased to answer even the most basic questions.
Birds
Possums
Kangaroos
Koalas
Echidnas
Wombats
Birds
I have found a baby bird that has fallen out of its nest, what do I do?
If the nest is accessible then put the baby bird back and monitor to make sure the parent birds are still around. This might take a few hours of watching. If the parents have not returned by four hours, or night is falling then put the bird into a box and transport to the nearest shelter. Do not feed the bird, you can offer it some water, however do not force the bird to drink.
If the nest is not accessible then try to make a substitute nest for it and hang it as close to the original nest as possible and monitor to make sure the parent birds feed it. A nest can be made using almost anything from a hanging plant basket to a kitchen colander. It needs to be securely attached to the tree or fence.
If the parent birds are not around then, if possible, ascertain what species it is; in the case that it is a native then call the Emergency Phone 13 000 WILDLIFE or 13 000 94 535. If it is not native you can drop it into your local veterinarian.
I don’t want to touch the bird, what do I do?
Some people think that if a human touches a baby bird the parents will subsequently reject the chick. This is not the case. There have been cases where an injured chick has been returned to its nest days after its first rescue and the parents have taken it back. You can pick up the bird and return it to the nest (see advice above).
Some people do not like the idea of touching feathers. Wrap the bird in a towel to transport it or find a neighbour/friend to help.
If this is not possible then place a box or basket over the bird to protect it from predation and call the Emergency Phone on 13 000 WILDLIFE or 13 000 94 535
I have found an injured bird, what do I do?
An injured bird should always be seen by a veterinarian. If the vets are not available (or while transporting to the vets) keep the bird warm, dark and in a quiet spot. If it will be a long time before veterinarian assistance will be available (and the bird is a native species) then call the Emergency Phone 13 000 WILDLIFE or 13 000 94 535.
My cat/dog caught a bird, what should I do?
The saliva in dogs' and (particularly) cats' mouths is very toxic to any animal. It takes only a short while for toxicity to set in and it is imperative that the bird is seen AS SOON AS POSSIBLE by a veterinarian. If vets are not available then try to arrange to get it to an animal emergency centre. If this option is not available then call the Emergency Phone 13 000 WILDLIFE or 13 000 94 535. You should also look into ensuring your pet has no opportunity to re-offend. Keep dogs and cats inside during dusk, dawn and dark hours.
A bird just flew into my window, what should I do?
A bird might be concussed after flying into a window. Put the bird in a box and keep it warm, dark and quiet. In a few hours you can release it outside. If it does not fly away then take to your local vet or ring the Emergency Phone 13 000 WILDLIFE or 13 000 94 535
A bird is trapped, what should I do?
If the bird is trapped inside a house or other large enclosure then make the internal situation as dark as possible and open doors or windows. Do not chase a bird as this will distress it and it may cause itself injuries. You could try throwing a large sheet over it to catch it and then release outside.
A mother duck has just hatched ducklings in my backyard, what should I do?
Ducks are protected by law and it is best to allow the duck to wander around the yard until it has eaten all the slugs and snails and allow it to wander into the next yard when it is ready to do so. It would be good to let your neighbours know in order that they can contain pets as best as possible. If you have a pool in your yard it would be advisable to supply a ramp for the ducklings, who will be able to get in, but not always out resulting in their death by drowning.
In the case where a duck is in imminent danger then relocation could be an option, remembering that some species will not tolerate this and will fly away leaving their ducklings behind … this is therefore a very last resort situation. Catch the mother duck first if possible and then gather up the chicks. Release in the nearest large gardens with some water (a pond or lake).
A bird is swooping, what should I do?
In Australia we have a wonderful and varied number of bird species. Most of the times they are such a pleasure to live with with their vibrant colours and magical bird-song. Once a year Australian people are challenged by birds when certain of these bird species becoming protective of their nests and young. An ice-cream container on your head, variously with big eyes painted on or not, may look odd in Europe, however in Australia it is iconic of the time of year and our understanding that these birds are only following their natural instinct to protect their young.
Native birds are protected in Australia as are their nests and eggs. There are large fines for disturbing nests and birds and invariably disturbing the nests makes the problems worse as the parent birds then see humans as a definite threat, not just a possible threat, and their attacks become more targeted and vicious.
Apart from the ice-cream container on your head you could consider a few other options to protect yourself during the few weeks that the nesting season occurs. You should always walk your bike past a pair of swooping birds, a large umbrella (the clear plastic ones that come right down over your head are great) and consider putting up a sign to warn others that swooping birds are in the area (download printable sign).
The Department of Sustainability and Environment have more excellent information on this issue.
Raptors (basically: flesh eating birds), Pelicans and Emus
It is best that these rescues are handled by experts where possible, raptors can be dangerous birds, in particular the talons, but also the beak. Always keep a good distance from the beak, particularly your eyes. A raptor can be picked up by throwing a towel over (no frayed edges), covering the head and scooping it up (being careful of the talons). It should then be transferred to a box, a size that it can just turn around in, leave the towel around it and get it to the nearest shelter or vet (ring the Emergency Phone 13 000 WILDLIFE or 13 000 94 535 for closest shelter operator). DO NOT put a raptor into a wire cage, the damage they can do might increase their recuperation time from 2-3 weeks to 2 years (the time it takes for a full moult).
Pelicans – are very large birds and require skilled rescuers. Ring the Emergency Phone on 13 000 WILDLIFE or 13 000 94 535
Emus – are now a rare species in the central part of Victoria but are still found in the far west from Portland to Mildura and also the far East and around the Murray. However it is not rare for an emu to be found in other areas; these birds will have escaped from a farm. You should call the Emergency Phone 13 000 WILDLIFE or 13 000 94 535 for an emu situation.
Possums
I have found a baby possum in my garden, what do I do?
Pick up the possum before it is preyed on by a cat or dog. Place the animal in a dark and quiet area, this means no TV, radio or children. If you have a hot water bottle place this under a folded towel and place the possum in a pillow case. (An alternative to a hot water bottle is a coke bottle filled with warm water). Allow room for the possum to move off the heat if necessary. DO NOT FEED. Ring the Emergency Phone 13 000 WILDLIFE or 13 000 94 535
I have an injured possum on the road/in the gutter/in my garden, what do I do?
This possum should be taken to a vet. Wrap a towel around the possum and scoop it up into a waiting receptacle. If this is not possible then ring the Emergency Phone on 13 000 WILDLIFE or 13 000 94 535
I found an adult possum on the ground should I just leave it?
No, this possum is sick and requires care.
I have a possum in my roof, what can I do?
Possums often take up residence in ceiling cavities, they find this spot warm in winter and cool in summer. A lot of people do not like to have possums living in their roof cavities and there are a few options that are available. Wildlife Victoria suggests that you install a possum box in one of your trees then put in one-way exits from the place the possum is entering the roof cavity (all good pest controllers should be able to do this for you – if they don’t then go to the next controller) and then seal up your roof cavity. Once you have established ‘your’ brushtail possum in its possum box this possum will keep all other brushtail possums away from the area and will become your ‘resident’. A ringtail will rarely move into your roof cavity.
Remember – do not feed possums as this reduces their territorial requirements and you will have more possums moving closer to your resident’s territory because your possum will not forage as far.
I have a possum and wish to raise it, can you please tell me what to feed it?
By law you have to be a licensed shelter operator. There are penalties for keeping a native animal longer than it is necessary for rescuing, it should be passed on to a shelter within 24 hours, sooner if possible. It is also in the best interest of the animal for it to go to a person trained in caring for wildlife.
Kangaroos
There is a kangaroo that has been hit by a car and is still alive, what do I do?
Stay with the kangaroo (far enough away so it is not distressed by your presence) and call the Emergency Phone on 13 000 WILDLIFE or 13 000 94 535
There is a kangaroo caught in a fence, what should I do?
Call the Emergency Phone on 13 000 WILDLIFE or 13 000 94 535. This is an emergency: the sooner an experienced person can get to the scene, the greater the chance of this kangaroo surviving.
There is an orphaned joey, what should I do?
All dead female kangaroos should be checked for orphans, many people carry spray cans with them to mark an animal that has been checked, if the animal has a bright coloured mark on it then you need not worry, you can drive on.
When you stop and find there is a joey in the pouch then you must organise for it to get to a shelter operator.
To remove a joey you may have to cut the teat rather than pull the joey off it. Severe damage can be sustained if the joey is forced off the teat. Once the joey is detached from the mother you must keep it warm.
Take the joey to a shelter as soon as possible – ring the Emergency Phone 13 000 WILDLIFE or 13 000 94 535. Do not feed it anything.
Where a joey is missing from a pouch then a search of the immediate area is needed. An elongated teat inside the pouch indicates that a joey was present. If you cannot find the joey then inform the nearest shelter that a joey is missing – ring the Emergency Phone 13 000 WILDLIFE or 13 000 94 535 for the number of the nearest shelter.
There is a kangaroo in my street, what should I do?
A kangaroo in suburbia must be attended to as soon as possible – ring the Emergency Phone 13 000 WILDLIFE or 13 000 94 535
Koalas
I have seen an injured Koala. What do I do?
Koalas can be dangerous animals, it is best to organise an experienced rescuer to attend. You should call 13 000 WILDLIFE or 13 000 94 535. Never pick up an unconscious koala and put it in your car.
I have a koala that has been attacked by a dog, what should I do?
A koala that has been attacked by a dog should be assessed by an experienced wildlife carer. Ring the Emergency Phone on 13 000 WILDLIFE or 13 000 94 535
I was walking in a park and saw a Koala just sitting on the ground! What do we do?
A koala that stays at the bottom of a tree is usually sick or injured and in need of care. You should ring the Emergency Phone 13 000 WILDLIFE or 13 000 94 535
I have found a Koala that is out of its natural habitat. What do we do?
Ring the Emergency Phone 13 000 WILDLIFE or 13 000 94 535 for assessment of the koala.
Echidnas
I have found an Echidna in my yard and have tried to move it or want it moved?
Echidnas move around a lot during juvenile season. You should not move an echidna unless it is in imminent danger. If you move an adult echidna you might move too far away from its nest for it to get back to and then the young will starve.
We are with, or have seen an echidna run over by a car. What do we do?
You should ring the Emergency Phone on 13 000 WILDLIFE or 13 000 94 535 or take to your nearest vet. Do not let an echidna loose in your car, transport it in a plastic container that will not tip over. Be very careful that the echidna does not escape in your vehicle.
Wombats
I have found a dead wombat with a baby. What do I do?
Ring the Emergency Phone 13 000 WILDLIFE or 13 000 94 535 and you will be given some numbers for the closest wildlife shelters and advice on how to manage the joey.
I saw a wombat that looks really sick and awful. What should I do?
You should ring the Emergency Phone 13 000 WILDLIFE or 13 000 94 535, this wombat probably has mange; if not treated soon this disease will debilitate and eventually kill the wombat.
