WILDLIFE RESCUE

The primary goal of wildlife rescue in Australia is to save and rehabilitate injured or orphaned wildlife, to release them back into the wild to ensure they thrive and survive. This is often a challenging and time-consuming process that requires a great deal of knowledge and expertise. There are many different organisations and individuals across Australia, involved in wildlife rescue across the country, including wildlife rehabilitators, veterinarians, and conservation groups.

The Bird Advocacy Foundation’s charitable purpose includes two key points related to bird and bat wildlife rescue in Australia:

1. To provide direct care to domesticated and wild birds and bats that have been lost, mistreated, or without owners.
2. To rehabilitate birds and bats that have been orphaned, sick, or injured.

The Bird Advocacy Foundation has dedicated bird behavioral specialists and veterinarians who work at our sanctuaries and project locations across Australia. The non for profit charity also works with a range of other large, medium, and small charities to support wildlife rescue in Australia, to ensure as a community our reach is far and wide – and with the safety and livelihood of any at-risk or compromised wildlife animals in mind.

One of Australia’s most well-known wildlife rescue organisations is WIRES (Wildlife Information, Rescue and Education Service), which has been operating for over 30 years. WIRES is a non-profit organisation operating across New South Wales, focusing on rescuing and rehabilitating native animals. They provide a 24-hour rescue hotline and a network of trained volunteers who can respond to emergencies and transport injured animals to care facilities.

Another important Australia-based organization involved in wildlife rescue is the RSPCA (Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals). The RSPCA operates across Australia and is responsible for enforcing animal welfare laws and rescuing and rehabilitating animals in distress. They have a team of trained inspectors and animal welfare officers who respond to reports of animal cruelty or neglect. They also operate several animal shelters and care facilities across the country.

In addition to these organisations, there are also many smaller groups and individuals involved in wildlife rescue in Australia, from Queensland, NSW, Victoria, Western and Southern Australia and the Northern Territory. Many of these are volunteers who have received training in animal care and rescue and who work tirelessly to provide emergency care and rehabilitation to injured animals. Some of these groups focus on particular species, such as koalas or kangaroos, while others work more broadly to rescue and rehabilitate any native animal in need.

The rescuing and rehabilitating of an animal can vary depending on the species and the nature of the injury or illness. In some cases, animals may be found injured on the side of the road or discovered in distress due to habitat loss or other factors. When an animal is rescued, it is typically transported to a care facility or wildlife hospital for assessment and treatment.

Once an animal has been assessed, it may need medical treatment or surgery to address any injuries or illnesses. In some cases, animals may also need to be hand-reared or fed specialized diets to regain strength and health. The rehabilitation process can take a few days to several months, depending on the species and the extent of the injuries.

After an animal has been successfully rehabilitated, it is released back into the wild. This can be a challenging and delicate process, as the animal needs to be carefully acclimatized to its natural environment and released in an appropriate location. Some animals may also need to be monitored after release to ensure they can survive in the wild.

The importance of wildlife rescue and protection in Australia cannot be overstated. The country’s unique flora and fauna are an important part of its cultural and ecological heritage, and it is crucial that we do everything we can to protect them.