Native Wildlife

If you find an injured, sick or grounded bird, keep children and pets away and avoid handling it unnecessarily.

Contact Wildlife Victoria for advice if the bird:

• Is injured or bleeding
• Cannot fly or move normally
• Has been caught by a cat or dog
• Appears sick or unusually lethargic
• Is a native bird that you are unsure how to assist

A baby bird on the ground isn’t necessarily abandoned. Young fledglings often leave the nest before they can fly confidently, while their parents continue to care for them nearby.

If the bird is fully feathered, alert and uninjured, keep cats and dogs away and, where possible, leave it where you found it.

If the bird is very young, featherless or only partly feathered, look for its nest. If you can safely reach it, return the chick to the nest.

If the nest is damaged or you aren’t sure what to do, contact Wildlife Victoria before taking the bird away.

Wildlife Victoria: (03) 8400 7300

Bird flu, including H5 avian influenza, has been detected in wild birds in Victoria. This is an extremely infectious virus that can also be transmitted to humans.

If you find a sick or dead wild bird:

• Do not touch or move it.
• Keep pets and children away.
• Avoid contact with feathers, faeces or other material around the bird.
• Report suspected cases to Agriculture Victoria.

Particular bird deaths or groups of sick or dead birds should be reported, including five or more sick or dead wild birds or a single sick or dead wild seabird, waterbird, shorebird or bird of prey.

Emergency Animal Disease Hotline: 1800 675 888

For current information and reporting requirements visit: Agriculture Victoria, H5 Bird Flu

If you have already handled potentially infected wildlife, wash your hands thoroughly and follow current Agriculture Victoria health advice.

Possums are nocturnal, so a possum on the ground during the day may need assistance.

Contact Wildlife Victoria if a possum is:

• Injured or bleeding
• Trapped
• Unresponsive or unusually inactive
• Separated from its mother
• Being attacked or threatened by another animal

Wildlife Victoria: (03) 8400 7300

A possum joey found on the ground may need urgent assistance.

Keep it warm and contact Wildlife Victoria for advice. Do not give a baby possum food or water unless instructed by a wildlife professional or veterinarian.

Wildlife Victoria can provide advice about many types of native wildlife, including:

• Kangaroos and wallabies
• Possums
• Birds
• Flying foxes
• Reptiles
• Small native mammals

If you’re unsure whether an animal needs help, contact Wildlife Victoria before attempting to capture or relocate it.

Wildlife Victoria Emergency Line: (03) 8400 7300

Wildlife Victoria

If you find a dog or cat that appears lost, approach carefully. Frightened animals may behave differently from normal.

If it is safe to do so:

• Keep the animal away from roads and other animals.
• Check for a collar or identification tag.
• Have the animal scanned for a microchip by a veterinary clinic or animal shelter.
• Contact your local council or animal welfare organisation.
• Use local lost-and-found pet services to help locate the owner.

If the animal is injured or unwell, contact a veterinary clinic.

A kitten found alone may not necessarily be abandoned. The mother may be nearby and returning to care for her kittens.

If kittens appear warm, clean, settled and healthy, observe from a safe distance and seek advice before moving them.

If a kitten is cold, weak, injured, crying continuously or appears unwell, it may need veterinary attention.

Very young animals can deteriorate quickly, so contact a veterinary clinic or animal welfare organisation for advice if you’re unsure.