What to do if you find sick, orphaned, or injured wildlife in Queensland
Issued: 4 Sep 5 minutes read

First response: step-by-step

Encountering a sick, injured, or orphaned animal can be a very emotional experience. We get it – adrenaline is flowing, sympathy is spiking, and your first instinct may be to get right in there without assistance. However, even the most well-intentioned amateur wildlife rescuer should seek expert advice immediately – this gives a vulnerable animal the best chance at survival. Here’s what to expect when you call for help.

1. Call 1300 ANIMAL (1300 264 625) immediately for specialist advice on the safest way to respond. This is the RSPCA’s 24/7 hotline. 
2. Listen carefully to the operator’s advice. They will provide tailored instructions depending on the animal you’ve found, your location, and the situation's circumstances.
3. The operator will either ask you to take the animal to the nearest vet or wildlife hospital, or they will send an expert to assist.
4. If you need to handle or transport the animal, the RSPCA operator will talk you through exactly what you need to do to keep yourself and the animal safe.
5. When an expert is needed on site, the operator will dispatch a local wildlife carer or the wildlife ambulance to collect the animal. From there, they will take it to a wildlife hospital or vet.

Dos and don’ts when approaching sick, injured, or orphaned wildlife

As you can imagine, different animals have different needs when they are injured or in danger. Depending on their size, condition, and temperament, an animal in distress can also pose a threat to humans – even if you’re trying to help. Mutual safety is the first priority in this situation! If you follow these tips, you have the best chance of protecting yourself and the animal.

DO: Get help

Trust the experts – call 1300 ANIMAL. An operator will provide the next steps for you to take depending on your situation. Even if wildlife doesn’t appear seriously hurt, they may be suffering from internal injuries – so it’s always better to be safe than sorry.

DO: Make sure you’re safe

First things first – wild animals are wild. Until you have made contact with 1300 ANIMAL, it’s best to keep a safe distance. You never know how a specific animal will react to humans, so wait until you’ve got an expert’s go-ahead before you approach. Attempting to capture or restrain a wild animal without the proper knowledge or equipment can in some cases increase the risk of further stress or injury to both yourself and the wildlife. It’s also worth noting that injured wildlife is often found on the roadside – if you find an animal in this situation, staying vigilant and keeping yourself safe from vehicles or other potential hazards should be your top priority.

DO: Keep the animal safe

If you’ve contacted 1300 ANIMAL and received advice on how to handle the animal, remove it from harm’s way and place it somewhere safe and quiet. Otherwise, don’t attempt to touch or pick it up – just do your best to protect it from a safe distance. Try to minimise the animal’s exposure to people, pets, and loud noises – these outside stressors can be severe on top of any injury or illness affecting the animal.

DON’T: Handle the animal without expert advice first

Wild animals aren’t used to being touched by humans – even the small, cute, and fluffy ones. The expert operators will give you plenty of information on how to safely handle the specific animal you’ve found. Never attempt to handle an adult koala or any kangaroo, snake, bat, cassowary, whale or dolphin – these animals can cause serious injuries, and some carry dangerous diseases which can infect humans.

The rules: laws to protect Queensland wildlife

Queensland's Nature Conservation Act 1992 ensures proper care for native wildlife in distress. It all boils down to a couple of key points you need to know:

• Sick, injured and orphaned native wildlife may only be kept and cared for by a licensed wildlife carer. These qualified professionals have the expertise to give these animals the best chance of recovery and return to their homes in the wild. Without the appropriate care and knowledge, wildlife may not recover. They may also lose their natural behaviours, which can prevent them from being safely released back to the wild.
• The law requires anyone who is not a licensed wildlife carer who finds sick, injured, or orphaned wildlife to surrender it to a licensed wildlife carer or veterinarian within 72 hours. Early expert care and intervention are crucial to help vulnerable wild animals survive. These creatures are not pets – so any attempt to keep them at your home can have devastating consequences for their long-term health and wellbeing.

Interested in becoming a wildlife carer in Queensland? To get started, contact RSPCA Queensland, your nearest wildlife care group, or the Queensland Wildlife Rehabilitation Council. You must hold or be endorsed under a rehabilitation permit and follow the standards in the Code of Practice for caring for protected animals – so it’s wise to brush up on these guidelines before you begin the process. There are also plenty of volunteer opportunities with the RSPCA – from Rescue Unit Drivers to helming the phones in the call centre, there are tasks to suit every lifestyle (and time allowance).

Keeping Queensland wildlife safe

While encountering sick, injured, or orphaned wildlife can be distressing, you have the power to help – it’s just extremely important to act in the animal’s best interests. The laws and guidelines mentioned in this blog have been created to give Queensland wildlife the best chance of survival and rehabilitation after trauma. Even if you have the best intentions, it’s vital to trust the trained wildlife carers and vets to do their job. By alerting the experts and (safely) getting involved, you can be a crucial helper on a vulnerable animal’s road to recovery.