Q. Who pays to rescue and rehabilitate our wildlife?



A.  It is the rescuer/carer who foots most of the bill!  Wildlife rescue and rehabilitation is not government funded.

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One of the reasons Kangaloola Wildlife was formed was to assist these passionate people with the huge expense of helping our wildlife.   Kangaloola Wildlife and it’s carers therefore rely on donations and the hard work of our volunteers to keep on caring.









 

Q. Can I feed the wildlife?



A.  As much fun as it is (and lets face it we have all done it!) we unfortunately only tend to feed those animals which are already numerous and ‘people friendly’. We can therefore provide an advantage to these animals and birds by making them stronger and a disadvantage to those not so aggressive.

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Other disadvantages of feeding our wildlife include:

- foods are often given which are detrimental to an animals health, such as bread.
- they may not develop the correct skills in finding their own food.
- not all people are ‘wildlife friendly’ so it is sometimes better if an animal learns not to approach humans for food.



If we can’t stop you from feeding wildlife the minimum we ask is that you feed them at irregular intervals (a morning one week, an afternoon the next) so they cannot rely on this food source and will retain their hunting/foraging skills.









 

Q: I found a native creature.  Can I keep it?



A: No.  Unless you are an authorised wildlife care or wildlife shelter operator, it is illegal to keep native wildlife.









 

Q. Where does the wildlife get released?



A.  It is extremely important to release wildlife back into the environment it was found.  It will already be familiar with the area, its predators, escape routes, food sources and nesting areas and may also have a family unit there.   By relocating an animal elsewhere there is also a possibility of spreading diseases which otherwise may have been contained in one community.









 

Q. What sort of animals do you rescue and rehabilitate?



A.  Kangaloola Wildlife. rescue Australian indigenous/native wildlife as well as wildlife that naturally pass through our area such as migrating birds.  Wildlife shelters are registered with the DSE (Department of Sustainability and Environment) are not licensed or permitted to rehabilitate non-native/exotic animals.







Q: How can I help our wildlife?



A: There are many ways; here are a few.



Store both Kangaloola's 24 hour emergency number and the number of your local wildlife rescue organisation in your mobile phone.  (you never know when you will need it).

Keep domestic pets under control when wildlife is around.



Keep a pillow slip in your car boot or backpack as a temporary 'creature carrier'



A sheet, blanket or towel is ideal for having in the car boot.



Check for pouched young in animals killed on our roads (Koalas, Wombats, Possums, Sugar Gliders, Kangaroos).  Left in the pouch, they die slowly and painfully from cold and starvation.



DO NOT APPROACH AN INJURED KANGAROO -  it will be stressed and terrified and will try to protect itself with its powerful legs.



Leave fresh water in your yard for birds and other wildlife.



Develop a habitat garden to encourage native wildlife to visit or even stay.



Tell others how they can help.



Donate to your local Wildlife Shelter as they get no government funding and depend on donations, fund raising and their own wallets to do their essential work.





Q: How do I become  a wildlife rescuer and/or carer?



A: Contact your local wildlife shelter or Wildlife Rescue Organisation and express your interest, you will be given the opportunity to attend training sessions and be monitored by a qualified wildlife carer.



After 12 months of wildlife rescue work, becoming a wildlife carer is then an option, if that is your aim.





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Q: What do I do about an Echidna that's in my backyard?



A: Echidna's are not uncommon in urban areas.  If you have a dog, remove it from the area (put it inside the house), for the safety of the echidna and the dog.  Do not attempt to shoo the echidna back to where you think it came from  - its on a mission and will only turn around again!  Leave the echidna in peace for an hour or two, it will pass through your yard and go on its way.  Its most likely looking for food and may well have young back at is burrow to feed.







Q: There's an Tortoise in the middle of the road?



A: First - don't get run over!  Take notice of which direction the tortoise if is facing.  They are very single minded creatures.  However well-meaning, if you inadvertently take the tortoise back to where it's come from, it will turn around and proceed to cross the road, putting itself at risk again. 

If it is at risk of being hit by traffic, you can pick it up carefully by the shell(and yes they smell) and move it off the road in the direction it was heading.  It will go on its way when it feels safe to do so.







Q: There's an echidna in the middle of the road?



A: The same as for tortoises, except for the picking up! (Unless you happen to be carrying a pair of welders gloves at the time).  When feeling threatened, echidnas will try to dig themselves in, or roll up in o a ball.  It at all possible, and safe for you to do so, direct traffic around it,disturbing it as little as possible.  Given the chance, it will continue on its way.







Q: I hit / spotted a kangaroo (koala, wombat or possum) on the road, and it looks like it has young
     in its pouch. What do I do?



A: Firstly, stay safe! Do not get hit by traffic.

• Approach with caution, in case the animal is not dead -Kangaroos have powerful legs, and ALL WILD CREATURES will try to protect themselves.
• If the animal is still alive and you have a mobile phone, Call your local wildlife emergency organisation or Kangaloola Wildlife Shelter.
• If the animal is dead, drag it as far off the road as you can.  This helps prevent other creatures becoming road kill if they investigate or come to feed on carrion.
• CHECK THE POUCH FOR YOUNG
• If it has pouched young and you are comfortable doing so, carefully remove the young animal from the mother's pouch.
• If the young is attached to the teat, do not apply force to remove it - you risk damaging the baby.  Instead squeeze the teat to stop the flow of milk (it may take a while but the baby will eventually let go).
• Once out of the pouch, the baby will require warmth.  The best way of providing heat for a very young animal is through your own body heat - in other words, place it gently in your jumper.  If this is not an option, wrap the baby in a towel, blanket, sweater, jacket or any other item of fabric (the softer the better, especially for animals that are unfurred).
• Keep the baby warm, darkened quiet until it is in the hands of an experienced wildlife rescuer or carer.







Q: I found an orphaned duckling.  What do I do?



A: Mother ducks will look for their young.   If the duckling is in no immediate danger, wait a while to see of the mother returns.

If, after some time the mother duck has not returned:



▪ Catch the duckling.
▪ DO NOT put the duckling in water.  With 'waterproofing' oil glands still undeveloped, ducklings can become water-logged resulting in death by frowning.
▪ Place it is a box or well-ventilated container.
▪ Secure the lid well! Ducklings can jump - high and hard!
▪ Keep warm, dark and quiet.
▪ Contact Kangaloola Wildlife Shelter or you local wildlife organisation for assistance.