Page 2 - 4WD Australia Magazine Wildlife Rescue

PRACTICAL STEPS FOR ROADSIDE WILDLIFE CARE
GENERAL CARE
Tips from the experts on helping in- jured wildlife, with particular thanks to Kanyana Wildlife in Western Australia:
First, make sure the animal actually needs to be rescued. Sometimes it just needs assistance in crossing the road in the same direction it was heading; this is particularly true with turtles and echidnas.
Place the animal in a similar size box (not a cage) to avoid further injury. Line the bottom with a thick, tight-woven cloth. Ensure that the container is well
fastened. Keep the box in your vehicle, not in the boot where it might escape.
Note the exact location where you find the animal so it can (if possible) be returned to its own territory.
Keep it in a warm place out of draughts.
Keep it as quiet as possible and away from loud noises; this helps to re- duce stress.
Do not feed; many marsupials can- not tolerate cow’s milk and this will only make matters worse. Water may be of- fered but do not force it on an animal and do not place water in a box with
an animal.
Do not pull a baby marsupial off a
teat in a pouch. It is better to transport the dead mother with the baby on the teat, or, cut the teat off and leave it in the baby’s mouth.
Get the animal to a vet or a wildlife rehabilitator as soon as possible. De- lays can be fatal. It is against the law to keep native animals without a license. If possible, deliver the animal to the car- er: they have enough to do without the added burden of driving to you to pick up the injured animal.
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