Injured or orphaned wildlife

For sick birds or mass mortalities of wildlife refer to:
High pathogenic avian influenza (wildlife.vic.gov.au)

Do you need to find help for injured or orphaned native wildlife?

Only registered vets and authorised wildlife rehabilitators can legally care for wildlife.

Wildlife need expert care, treatment and rehabilitation. Any person can legally rescue and transport sick, injured, orphaned or abandoned wildlife to a registered veterinarian or authorised wildlife rehabilitator. However, you should only attempt to capture wildlife in need of care if it is safe to do so.

The Help for Injured Wildlife tool will help you locate and contact wildlife carers and rescue and rehabilitation organisations to help the injured wildlife.

More information about vet care for wildlife .

More information about wildlife rehabilitators in Victoria

Expert care for certain wildlife

The rescue and rehabilitation of certain wildlife is restricted in Victoria as some wildlife require expert care and treatment.

• Whale and Dolphin Emergency Hotline, 1300 136 017
• Seals or marine turtles - Marine Response Unit, 1300 245 678
• Platypus - Healesville Sanctuary, (03) 5957 2829

Can I look after injured or orphaned wildlife?

Wildlife may only be cared for by authorised Wildlife Shelters or Foster Carers.

Wildlife requires expert care, treatment and rehabilitation to recover sufficiently to be returned to the wild. Without this care, wildlife may not recover or may lose their natural behaviours.

It is illegal in Victoria to keep sick, injured or orphaned wildlife as a pet. Taking wildlife from the wild without authorisation is an offence that carries a fine of up to $7,773 and/or 6 months imprisonment.

If you wish to become an authorised Wildlife Shelter or Foster Carer, information about the application process and the application forms are available on the Conservation Regulator's website.

What do I do if I find heat stressed wildlife?

Information on heat stress in wildlife.

Euthanasia of injured or orphaned wildlife

The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1986 requires that a person acts to prevent the pain, trauma or suffering of animals, including wildlife. This includes euthanasia of wildlife that is unlikely to survive in the wild, even with extensive treatment and recovery.

While the Wildlife Act 1975 makes it an offence to take, destroy or interfere with wildlife, the Conservation Regulator considers that individuals who euthanise wildlife in accordance with the requirements in the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1986 (to prevent pain, trauma or suffering) will not meet the threshold for regulatory action.

Humane and safe methods of euthanasia must always be used.

If you find wildlife that is severely injured and may need euthanasia, the best thing to do is call a registered veterinarian or authorised wildlife rehabilitator who can assess and treat the wildlife, and where necessary administer euthanasia.

In some circumstances, however, it may not be possible to seek assistance. If there is no option for other assistance, a person may euthanise wildlife if it is necessary to prevent ongoing pain, trauma or suffering. The Australian Veterinary Association has some information about euthanasia of injured wildlife on its website: https://www.ava.com.au/policy-advocacy/policies/euthanasia/euthanasia-of-injured-wildlife/.

If you are not confident or feel unable to euthanise wildlife, you should not attempt to do so. Contact Victoria Police or consult the Help for Injured Wildlife tool.