Emergency Care
Reptile relocation, animal emergency care & safe interaction with wildlifeWe understand that navigating wildlife care can be overwhelming, so we’ve compiled a list of hotlines, and information to help guide you.
Animal Emergency Care Hotlines
Without expert medical help the animal’s condition may rapidly deteriorate and very soon it will be beyond help. Please contact the helpline or one of the carers below:
Wildcare Helpline
Volunteers provide advice and connect members of the public with their nearest licensed wildlife rehabilitator. It is owned by the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA) and managed and operated by WA Wildlife.
Location: Statewide
Phone: (08) 9474 9055
Website: www.dbca.wa.gov.au
Website: wawildlife.org.au
Marsupial Mammas & Pappas Wildlife Care
A group of volunteer wildlife rehabilitators, that provides care to injured, sick and orphaned native wild-life.
Location: Toodyay & surrounds
Phone: (08) 9417 7105
Website: faunarehab.org.au
Rocky Ridge Wildlife Sanctuary
Treatment and care for sick, injured and immature native wildlife.
Location: Chittering & surrounds
Phone: 0498 883 643
Website: chitteringwildlifecarers.org.au
WA Wildlife
An organisation dedicated to rescuing, treating, rehabilitating and conserving native wildlife.
Location: Bibra Lake, Perth
Phone: (08) 9417 7105
Website: wawildlife.org.au
Kanyana Wildlife
Volunteer run animal sanctuary dedicated to conserving wildlife.
Location: Lesmurdie, Perth
Phone: (08) 9291 3900
Website: kanyanawildlife.org.au
Kaarakin
Kaarakin has a dedicated Black Cockatoo rescue service operated by volunteers.
Location: Martin
Phone (business hours): (08) 9390 2288
Phone (after hours): 0448 046 202
Website: blackcockatoorecovery.com
Native Animal Rescue
Native wildlife hospital and rehabilitation facilities.
Location: Malaga (and Broome)
Phone: (08) 9249 3434
Website: nativeanimalrescue.org.au
Darling Ranges Wildlife Shelter
A not-for-profit, volunteer organisation that treats, cares for and rehabilitates Australian native wildlife.
Location: Gosnells
Phone: (08) 9394 0885
Website: darlingrangewildlife.com.au
WIRES
WIRES is Australia’s largest wildlife rescue organisation, rescuing and caring for sick, injured and orphaned native animals for over 35 years.
Location: Across Australia
Phone: 1300 094 737 – 24-hours a day, 365 days a year.
Website: www.wires.org.au
Vets
Heartlands Vet Toodyay
Location: 98 Stirling Terrace, Toodyay
Phone: (08) 9574 5055
Website: heartlandsvet.com.au
Northam Veterinary Centre
A Country Practice, Northam
Location: 37 Wellington Street, Northam
Phone: (08) 9622 7479
Website: acountrypracticevet.com.au
Relocation of Reptiles
CALL Wildcare Helpline on 9474 9055 (24 hour, 7 day service).
Do NOT try to flush a reptile out OR try to catch or kill it.
This is when a lot of bites occur. If a reptile is in a building in a particular area, block all escape routes (for example with rolled up towels at the base of each closed door) and phone the Wildcare Helpline for assistance.
Some helpful suggestions:
- Install ‘draught-guards’ to doors leading outside the building
- Always wear sturdy footwear and long pants in areas where snakes are likely to be found.
- Clean away seed dropped from bird cages and aviaries – a snake’s main diet is the house mouse and rat who feed on these droppings. Reptiles also enjoy dog and cat food so beware when leaving outside.
- Trim a good width of grass around buildings and swimming pools – reptiles are competent swimmers!
- Prevent the collection of leaves and debris in corners of verandahs, etc.
- Build frog-ponds well away from the house.
Interacting with wildlife
Dangers
Check the dangers to yourself from passing traffic, beaks, talons, teeth and claws. Use a towel or piece of clothing to throw over a bird or animal before attempting to pick it up.
What you can do:
- Place the rescued wildlife in a cardboard box (or something similar) with a towel at the bottom and a lid on top to create a secure, warm, and dark surroundings.
- Place the box in a QUIET place away from TV, children and domestic pets.
- The risk of dehydration is very high so transportation to trained people is of the highest priority. Contact any of the above services to be directed to the nearest voluntary carer.
Do Not:
- Do NOT offer any food or water to wildlife until advice has been received from the emergency contacts.
- Never offer cow’s milk to any wildlife as the lactose causes gastric problems.
Healthy Wildlife
In a partnership between the Eastern Metropolitan Regional Council, Murdoch University and Lotterywest, the Healthy Wildlife = Healthy Communities project provides a host of free ‘downloadable’ information on safely interacting with wildlife.
The website provides information on how our interactions with wildlife can affect their health positively or negatively. It provides articles on feeding wildlife, parasitic diseases, viruses, and wildlife conservation in general. It covers species such as mammals, birds, reptiles and fish. It has resources and useful links such as videos and podcasts.
