If you can catch the animal...

• Put in in a box straight away
• Do not try to feed it, or give it fluids unless instructed by a wildlife carer
• Put it in a warm, dark, quiet place
• Ring:
  • RSPCA 62878100 business hours
  • 0413 495 031 after hours
• If the animal is trapped please call: Call Connect on 13 22 81

If you find an injured animal...

If you find an injured animal it is important that it is given to a carer, taken to the RSPCA shelter in Weston, or taken to a vet. If a bird has been caught by a cat, it is imperative that it is given antibiotics as soon as possible to prevent the spread of bacteria.

If you hit a kangaroo, call:

Canberra Connect
after-hours - 0413 495 031
RSPCA - 6287 8100

Animals can be taken to the RSPCA shelter at:

• 12 Kirkparick Street, Weston, ACT 2611.

 

These notes apply to creatures in and around Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia.

When you find a bird:

The best way to catch a frightened bird is to throw a towel or a rug over it and pick it up, making sure that you hold the wings close to its body.

If the bird has a broken leg or wing:
Put it in a box, in a quiet, warm place. Do not offer any food or water and contact the RSPCA.

If the bird has been caught by a cat or dog:

Cats have harmful bacteria in their mouth and on their claws, if the bird has been well and truly caught it is unlikely it will survive, even if it appears to have plenty of energy. The best thing to do is to put it in a box, in a quiet, warm place, and contact the RSPCA. Early administration of antibiotics is very important.

If you find the bird in the evening, keep it until the morning, then if it is still alive get on the phone. Do not offer food or water.

Alternatively, contact our after hours phone, if you are in the ACT.
The number is 0413 495 031.

If the bird has hit and window and is stunned:

Put the bird in a warm, quiet, dark place for several hours and reassess it. Quite often the bird will recover and fly away. If not, contact the RSPCA.

If the bird is an orphan:

Are you sure it really is an orphan? Baby birds are not often far away from their nests. Some birds, such as magpies, leave the nest and then spend a few days on the ground, being cared for by the parents, before they can fly competently. Of course, if a cat or dog is watching the baby bird, remove the dog or cat rather than the bird.

If you find a baby bird, try to find the nest and return it to the nest.
If the parents are still around and it is impossible to get the bird into the nest, nail an ice cream container on the side of the tree. Make sure you have holes in the bottom so it doesn't fill up with water when it rains, add some soft material or straw, and put the bird into the new "nest". Keep a lookout and make sure the parents are feeding the bird.

Ducklings: be sure to identify the type of duck. Some ducks are grass and grain eaters and others are insect eaters. Without the correct diet ducklings die very quickly. It is very important to get them to a carer.

When you find a possum:

An adult possum must be very sick or injured to be found out during the day. This may be a result of a territorial dispute, where an old male is displaced by a younger male or may be the result of an illness or a vehicle strike the night before.

Put the possum in a box with a towel so that it can get under it if it wants, take it to a vet or contact the RSPCA. You may offer it fruit and water but be very careful because adult possums can be very frightened and can bite or scratch.

If the possum is a young joey and you cannot find it's mother, wrap in a towel and immediately find a carer throughthe RSPCA. Keep it warm and snug. Do not attempt to feed it any cow's milk, as it is detrimental to the possum to be fed cow's milk.

When you find a kangaroo or wallaby:

Most adult kangaroos or wallabies that are found are injured due to a vehicle strike. If the adult is still alive but badly injured contact your local wildlife group or rangers who will arrange for it to be euthanased. Be very careful with an injured adult, they can be very frightened and have very powerful legs which can kick you. Call a person experienced in handling these animals if you are unsure if you are able to.

If there is a JOEY at foot or in the pouch, wrap it in cloth, (whatever you have with you, even if it is up your jumper) to keep it warm and secure.

Immediately contact your wildlife group, as joeys need proper attention to reduce stress. NEVER feed cow's milk to a joey - it causes blindness.

When you find an echidna:

Echidnas like to walk around and not worry anyone. Most echidnas that are brought in have been found in a back yard or crossing a road. The best thing to do is: if it is crossing a road: pick it up (with a towel or cloth) and take it to the side of the road - perhaps 10 metres away from the road. If it has been injured by a car, take it to a vet. If it is an abandoned joey: wrap it securely but keep the joey cool, but not cold. Call your local wildlife group. Do not attempt to feed.

When you find a wombat:

Most wombats that are found are generally joeys or young wombats whose mothers have been killed, either by a vehicle strike or by a bullet from hunters. Wrap the joey securely but do not keep too warm. Do not feed. Contact the RSPCA.

When you find a frog:

It is quite common for green tree frogs to accompany bananas in boxes from the tropics to supermarkets around Australia. It is important not to release them in your neighbourhood as these frogs may harbour diseases that the local frog population does not have. Contact the RSPCA or Canberra Nature Park rangers.

It is important not to release the frog into your neighbourhood as is could pass disease to the local frog population. This applies to all frogs. The frog population throughout the entire worls is in crisis due to the spread of a fungus.

When you find a snake or lizard:

Assume that all snakes found are poisonous. Mostly they are just wandering through and will not hurt you if you leave them alone. You are more likely to see snakes in late spring and summer. Clear the area of children and pets and wait until the snake goes away. If it stays then call the RSPCA or Canberra Nature Park rangers.

Contact numbers:
RSPCA Wildlife (02) 6287 8100
After Hours RSPCA Wildlife 0413 495 031

 

 

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