The Wildcare Helpline provides a service for people who find sick or injured native wildlife and need advice on where to find care for the animal.
If you find injured wildlife, please call the Wildcare Helpline on 9474 9055.
The wildlife volunteers answering your call will be able to put you in touch with your nearest registered wildlife rehabilitator, wherever you are in Western Australia.
If you come across injured wildlife and want to move them to safety while waiting for a registered wildlife rehabilitator, please approach with care. These animals can be dehydrated, in shock, and highly stressed.
Depending on the species, watch out for bites and scratches, and where possible, use a towel, jumper, or similar to place over the animal when picking them up.
Important points to consider:
- Do not overhandle the animal. Injured native animals may appear tame when they are in shock.
- Secure the animal to prevent further injury, for example, in a box lined with a thick cloth to prevent the animal from sliding around.
- Keep the animal warm by using a hot water bottle wrapped in a towel. Orphaned joeys, depending on size, can be kept close to the body for warmth.
- Keep the animal in a dark, quiet area away from loud noises such as televisions, pets, and children.
- Do not offer the animal food or water. Native animals require a specialised diet.
- Seek immediate assistance.
Injured kangaroos
If an adult kangaroo is injured and alive it is important that everyone is kept well away both for their own safety and to minimise stress to the kangaroo. Call the Wildlife Helpline on 9474 9055 for assistance.
Information about what to do if a joey is attached to its deceased mother’s teat is available on the PETA website.