Sometimes you need to hold the hand of your best friend to help you gather your courage to do to what you were born to do - Sammie Jo
Found an Injured Animal?
If you have found a sick, injured or orphaned native animal please note the advice below on animal first aid.
IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER: Rescuing wildlife is done so at your own risk. The information outlined on this website should only be used as a guide and where possible you should contact a wildlife rehabilitation centre for further advice. Native ARC assumes no responsibility for injuries as a result of attempts made to rescue sick, injured or orphaned native wildlife.
If it is a baby bird and the parents are close, and the bird is not obviously injured, you can attempt to place the bird back in the nest or close to the parents so they can continue to feed and raise the bird. Magpie chicks can often climb back up to the nest before they can fly, and often humans will believe they are rescuing the bird when they are in fact taking it away from its parent’s care.
FOUND A NATIVE ANIMAL?
Please assess the situation for your own safety when rescuing or containing the animal to bring it to a Wildlife Centre or a Vet Clinic. The steps below give you general advice on what to consider when rescuing, and what to be careful of.
You can call us for all sick or injured native animals 7 days a week, 365 days a year
Use a box or carrier.
Wear gloves if possible.
Always use a towel.
If you cannot reach us please call the WA Wildcare Helpline on: 08 9474 9055.
The Wildcare Helpline is a 24 hour-a-day, seven-day-a-week telephone referral service. The Helpline is operated by volunteers on behalf of the Department of Parks and Wildlife, and based at the Kensington headquarters.
If the animal is clearly in urgent need of veterinary treatment (bleeding, open wounds, broken limb/wing etc.) please take it to your nearest Veterinary Clinic for immediate assistance following the steps below to ensure you are safe, and the animal is handled in a low stress manner.
ANIMAL FIRST AID
Our first aid information is basic and simply covers important steps to maximise the animal's chance of survival. Please read all of our information carefully and do not provide further care or keep the animal for an extended period of time without seeking help from and experienced rehabilitator or veterinarian.
Please do not try and look after a sick, injured or orphaned animal yourself. The faster they are passed onto an experienced rehabilitator the better chance they will have of surviving.
SAFETY FIRST!
Your safety is important. If you think the situation is dangerous or unsafe, please contact Healing Hands Wildlife Care.
DO NOT attempt to handle the following animals:
· Snakes: Even dead snakes can result in envenomation if handled incorrectly.
· Bats: Can carry a wide range of potentially fatal zoonotic diseases.
· Adult Kangaroos: Can break bones and cause seriously injury if they feel threatened.
· Birds of prey: Talons can cause severe injuries and some have extremely strong, "Bone Crushing" beaks.
When handling any animal it is important to use proper forms of protection. Gloves, towels, bags or blankets can all be used to protect you from being bitten or scratched. You may wish to consider carrying a “rescue pack” in your car which consists of a box, towel, gloves, eye protection, hand sanitiser and a list of emergency contacts.
APPROACHING AN ANIMAL
Always be careful when approaching an animal. Approach slowly and observe its body language and posture. Try not to make any sudden movements. Grabbing the animal suddenly can cause it to run off or attack.
CATCHING ANIMALS
If you feel an animal is sick or injured and needs medical help, there are a few methods of catching certain animals. For birds, a towel or blanket can be used to throw over them. If they are a large bird, putting the towel over their head and wings will minimise stress and escape. The same approach can be used for lizards; however, a pair of gardening gloves to pick them up is easier. Small mammals can easily be caught with a towel or pillow case by placing it over their entire body and picking them up. For advice on catching larger animals, contact Healing Hands or Wildcare .
Stress can kill an animal so be aware to minimise stress by reducing handling and keeping the animal in a quiet dark container with no external noise. Do not attempt to feed or provide fluids.
DEAD ANIMALS
If you see a dead animal on the road, safely pull over and assess the situation. If it is safe for you to remove the animal, drag it off the road. This will stop other prey animals from getting injured or killed by traffic as they feed on the carcass. If the animal is a marsupial (bandicoot, possum, kangaroo etc.) check to see if it has a pouch. If so, there could be a joey in the pouch. If you find a joey, please contact Healing Hands.
WARMTH
One of the best ways to maximise an animal's chance of survival is to keep it warm and quiet from the outset. Hot water bottles wrapped in towels, heat packs or even body heat are great sources of heat until a rehabilitator or veterinarian can be contacted. Do not overheat and keep a constant check on the animal’s temperature.
FOOD/WATER
Do not give food or water to an animal unless instructed to by an experienced rehabilitator/veterinarian. Giving an animal food without proper hydration can lead to death especially in baby birds. Seek help from Native ARC or Wildcare immediately.
TRANSPORT
Cardboard boxes lined with newspapers and towels they are a very efficient means of transporting animals. Other transportation methods are pet packs, shoe boxes, bird cages and plastic tubs with ventilation. Large animals such as water birds and kangaroos need to be transported with specialised equipment so please call Native ARC or Wildcare Helpline for assistance.
With thanks to Native Arc
If you have found a sick, injured or orphaned native animal please note the advice below on animal first aid.
IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER: Rescuing wildlife is done so at your own risk. The information outlined on this website should only be used as a guide and where possible you should contact a wildlife rehabilitation centre for further advice. Native ARC assumes no responsibility for injuries as a result of attempts made to rescue sick, injured or orphaned native wildlife.
If it is a baby bird and the parents are close, and the bird is not obviously injured, you can attempt to place the bird back in the nest or close to the parents so they can continue to feed and raise the bird. Magpie chicks can often climb back up to the nest before they can fly, and often humans will believe they are rescuing the bird when they are in fact taking it away from its parent’s care.
FOUND A NATIVE ANIMAL?
Please assess the situation for your own safety when rescuing or containing the animal to bring it to a Wildlife Centre or a Vet Clinic. The steps below give you general advice on what to consider when rescuing, and what to be careful of.
You can call us for all sick or injured native animals 7 days a week, 365 days a year
Use a box or carrier.
Wear gloves if possible.
Always use a towel.
If you cannot reach us please call the WA Wildcare Helpline on: 08 9474 9055.
The Wildcare Helpline is a 24 hour-a-day, seven-day-a-week telephone referral service. The Helpline is operated by volunteers on behalf of the Department of Parks and Wildlife, and based at the Kensington headquarters.
If the animal is clearly in urgent need of veterinary treatment (bleeding, open wounds, broken limb/wing etc.) please take it to your nearest Veterinary Clinic for immediate assistance following the steps below to ensure you are safe, and the animal is handled in a low stress manner.
ANIMAL FIRST AID
Our first aid information is basic and simply covers important steps to maximise the animal's chance of survival. Please read all of our information carefully and do not provide further care or keep the animal for an extended period of time without seeking help from and experienced rehabilitator or veterinarian.
Please do not try and look after a sick, injured or orphaned animal yourself. The faster they are passed onto an experienced rehabilitator the better chance they will have of surviving.
SAFETY FIRST!
Your safety is important. If you think the situation is dangerous or unsafe, please contact Healing Hands Wildlife Care.
DO NOT attempt to handle the following animals:
· Snakes: Even dead snakes can result in envenomation if handled incorrectly.
· Bats: Can carry a wide range of potentially fatal zoonotic diseases.
· Adult Kangaroos: Can break bones and cause seriously injury if they feel threatened.
· Birds of prey: Talons can cause severe injuries and some have extremely strong, "Bone Crushing" beaks.
When handling any animal it is important to use proper forms of protection. Gloves, towels, bags or blankets can all be used to protect you from being bitten or scratched. You may wish to consider carrying a “rescue pack” in your car which consists of a box, towel, gloves, eye protection, hand sanitiser and a list of emergency contacts.
APPROACHING AN ANIMAL
Always be careful when approaching an animal. Approach slowly and observe its body language and posture. Try not to make any sudden movements. Grabbing the animal suddenly can cause it to run off or attack.
CATCHING ANIMALS
If you feel an animal is sick or injured and needs medical help, there are a few methods of catching certain animals. For birds, a towel or blanket can be used to throw over them. If they are a large bird, putting the towel over their head and wings will minimise stress and escape. The same approach can be used for lizards; however, a pair of gardening gloves to pick them up is easier. Small mammals can easily be caught with a towel or pillow case by placing it over their entire body and picking them up. For advice on catching larger animals, contact Healing Hands or Wildcare .
Stress can kill an animal so be aware to minimise stress by reducing handling and keeping the animal in a quiet dark container with no external noise. Do not attempt to feed or provide fluids.
DEAD ANIMALS
If you see a dead animal on the road, safely pull over and assess the situation. If it is safe for you to remove the animal, drag it off the road. This will stop other prey animals from getting injured or killed by traffic as they feed on the carcass. If the animal is a marsupial (bandicoot, possum, kangaroo etc.) check to see if it has a pouch. If so, there could be a joey in the pouch. If you find a joey, please contact Healing Hands.
WARMTH
One of the best ways to maximise an animal's chance of survival is to keep it warm and quiet from the outset. Hot water bottles wrapped in towels, heat packs or even body heat are great sources of heat until a rehabilitator or veterinarian can be contacted. Do not overheat and keep a constant check on the animal’s temperature.
FOOD/WATER
Do not give food or water to an animal unless instructed to by an experienced rehabilitator/veterinarian. Giving an animal food without proper hydration can lead to death especially in baby birds. Seek help from Native ARC or Wildcare immediately.
TRANSPORT
Cardboard boxes lined with newspapers and towels they are a very efficient means of transporting animals. Other transportation methods are pet packs, shoe boxes, bird cages and plastic tubs with ventilation. Large animals such as water birds and kangaroos need to be transported with specialised equipment so please call Native ARC or Wildcare Helpline for assistance.
With thanks to Native Arc
How to transport an injured animal?
Certain situations create the need to transport injured wild animals. In Western Australia even reaching the local veterinary practise might require long-distance transport; and specialist care might only be available by air travel. Injured wild animals have specific requirements when they are transported and every case has to be addressed individually. However, there are minimum standards which should be followed when transporting injured animals.
(a) All injured wildlife should be assessed by a veterinarian, wildlife officer or experienced wildlife rehabilitator before transport. Severely compromised animals should not be transported over long distances if avoidable. First Aid should be given where required, but complex bandages or specialist veterinary care should only be provided by experienced veterinarians or veterinary nurses. If no professional personnel are available at the site; the situation should be discussed with a veterinarian or experienced wildlife rehabilitator over the phone prior to transport.
(b) Every injury or known medical history should be communicated to the receiving party before the animal is transported.
(c) The containers must be secure and escape-proof.
(d) The container must provide adequate ventilation.
(e) There should be drapes on the outside of the containment box to shelter the animal from most of the light and disturbance around it. This should not interfere significantly with the ventilation of the container.
(f) Some species will require inner padding of the box or pet pack, especially bird species with heightened flying response.
(g) Direct restrain of the wild animal by body wrapping, wing bandages or leg fixations is NOT recommended.
(h) Limit exposure of animals to sudden movements, extremes of temperature, noise, visual disturbance and vibration.
(i) For most species the temperature should be kept to below 25 degrees C.
(j) Duration of the transport should be kept to a minimum.
(k) Compromised and depressed wild animals will not consume any food or water and it is recommended to leave them without food/water, as they might fall into the bowls and injure themselves or suffocate.
** Source DBCA Standards for Wildlife Care
(a) All injured wildlife should be assessed by a veterinarian, wildlife officer or experienced wildlife rehabilitator before transport. Severely compromised animals should not be transported over long distances if avoidable. First Aid should be given where required, but complex bandages or specialist veterinary care should only be provided by experienced veterinarians or veterinary nurses. If no professional personnel are available at the site; the situation should be discussed with a veterinarian or experienced wildlife rehabilitator over the phone prior to transport.
(b) Every injury or known medical history should be communicated to the receiving party before the animal is transported.
(c) The containers must be secure and escape-proof.
(d) The container must provide adequate ventilation.
(e) There should be drapes on the outside of the containment box to shelter the animal from most of the light and disturbance around it. This should not interfere significantly with the ventilation of the container.
(f) Some species will require inner padding of the box or pet pack, especially bird species with heightened flying response.
(g) Direct restrain of the wild animal by body wrapping, wing bandages or leg fixations is NOT recommended.
(h) Limit exposure of animals to sudden movements, extremes of temperature, noise, visual disturbance and vibration.
(i) For most species the temperature should be kept to below 25 degrees C.
(j) Duration of the transport should be kept to a minimum.
(k) Compromised and depressed wild animals will not consume any food or water and it is recommended to leave them without food/water, as they might fall into the bowls and injure themselves or suffocate.
** Source DBCA Standards for Wildlife Care
HOUSING REQUIREMENTS BASED ON STAGES OF CARE
Appropriate cage space is conditional to the species, the behaviour of the individual, the nature of the injury and the specifics of treatment and recovery. Recommended cage dimensions are based on approximations of space requirements during three recovery periods, each defined by the activity level required of the fauna.
These are:
• Stage 1 – Intensive Care (sick/injured/hand-rearing)
• Stage 2 – Acclimatisation
• Stage 3 – Pre-release
The following paragraphs describe the three stages and the housing best suited to the stage. Indoor caging is replaced by outdoor caging as the animal progresses through the rehabilitation process. Fauna requiring large expanses of water (e.g. grebes, pelicans, pelagic birds, and many marine animals) present some challenges to wildlife rehabilitators and this staged approach may not apply directly to such species.
During the process of recovering from an injury or illness and the rehabilitation period, fauna should not be moved from rehabilitator to rehabilitator unless it is essential and in the best interest of the animal. This type of disruption may lead to stress-related illness and possible separation anxiety. This is particularly important when dealing with hand-reared mammals. Stage 1 – Intensive Care Intensive Care (IC) has two main purposes: to restrict activity and to maximise environmental support by provision of medication, heat, humidity and supplementary nutrition.
IC is maintained primarily indoors. An animal that is sick/injured or is in the very early stages of recovery will have its movements restricted but will be provided with enough room to maintain a normal alert/upright posture and to stretch its body, limbs and tail, but not enough to leap, fly or run.
Conditions requiring restricted activity include re-hydration, hypothermia, fractured bones and wound care. Any animal with severely debilitating conditions such as shock, toxicity, neurological impairment or other conditions that require close supervision and management should be considered for IC.
Fly-proof enclosures are essential to prevent fly strike of wounds. The holding area should be small enough to facilitate easy observation and capture, thereby minimising capture stress and the possibility of injury during repeated periods of capture and treatment.
Fauna confined to their pouch/nest prior to weaning and fledging are included in this category. Restricted activity areas are provided by housing in hotboxes, pet packs, veterinary cages and other small enclosures.
Refer to Parks and Wildlife’s Basic Wildlife Rehabilitators’ Course Manual for more comprehensive information on 36 options for IC housing.
Perches close to the cage floor (relative to the size of the bird) and/or walk-ups to perches should be provided to avoid further injury or damage to tail feathers. Padded perches or substrate should be provided to minimise bumblefoot in raptors and waterbirds. Where available, Perspex hotbox fronts should be provided for owls, raptors and high-stress birds to prevent beak and feather damage. Hiding areas, such as boxes/pouches or towels, must be provided for those species with more reclusive behaviour such as snakes and marsupials.
Stage 2 – Acclimatisation
Acclimatisation and physical therapy comprise the next phase of the rehabilitation process during which the animals are recovering from illness or injury. In the case of orphaned fauna, Stage 2 involves the process of weaning/fledging and can involve a combination of both indoors and outdoors housing.
Movement is now encouraged to build up strength and to provide gentle physiotherapy where needed. This physical therapy may be voluntary or enforced by the rehabilitator. Periodic capture and medical treatment may still be necessary and the animal must be in an appropriately sized holding area to facilitate this.
Similar enclosures should also be used for fledged birds and mammals in the process of weaning. Macropod ‘joey yards’ may fall into this category, with a setup being as simple as a verandah or small section of garden with ad lib access to hanging pouches and/or a secure enclosure.
Outdoor caging should provide the opportunity for short flights or walks/runs. Perches and walk-ups to perches (birds) or hiding areas and nest boxes (all fauna) should be provided. Semi-aquatic and pelagic species should be exercised under supervision in tubs or pools of water provided for that purpose. Housing for reptiles must contain hygienic, absorbent substrate and a shelter that facilitates natural hiding behaviour.
Reptiles that naturally bask must be provided with lighting appropriate to the species’ needs (e.g. UV light). Arboreal (tree-dwelling) reptiles must be given climbing opportunities and aquatic reptiles (e.g. turtles) must be given swimming opportunities. Stage 3 – Pre-release Unlimited activity using large outdoor aviaries/enclosures is essential in this stage. This environment provides physical and psychological experiences and conditioning or reconditioning through extended flights for birds and walking, running and/or climbing for reptiles/mammals.
This housing should allow fauna to improve their strength, develop stamina and coordination, restore muscle tone, and continue to acclimatise to current weather conditions and other elemental stimuli such as wind, noise and the general environment. Physical therapy should be initiated by the fauna, although additional exercising may be provided by caregivers if considered necessary.
Pre-release aviaries/enclosures should be used to prepare fledged birds and weaned 37 mammals for release. There are often one or two additional stages factored into Stage 3 for hand-reared macropods. Reptile and amphibian species are often an exception to requiring a staged rehabilitation process.
Most lizards, snakes and tortoises can move from Stage 2 directly to release. The larger varanid species may require a Stage 3 pre-release period in their rehabilitation to ensure fitness on release. Certain raptor species will require free-flying prior to release to build up strength and conditioning. Nutritional acclimatisation As the fauna progresses through Stage 1 and moves into Stage 2, its nutritional needs must be considered and a plan put into place. An early move to a natural diet is essential in many species due to the possibility of unknown nutritional deficiencies in captive diets and the unavailability of many captive diet food items in the wild.
All fauna should be fed a nutritionally balanced, palatable diet in a form and presentation that they will recognise and be exposed to once released. Nutritional balance is essential for all fauna and is particularly critical in the case of fast growing young fauna. Parks and Wildlife does not condone the feeding of live prey, other than insects and fish, during rehabilitation.
Nutritional needs in the case of preparing for soft releases:
• Consider whether to provide a standard bowl of food close to a release hatch or the aviary door
• In preparation for when the hatch/door is open and the fauna can return for the food
• Consider changing the presentation of the food by allowing it to be scattered in the aviary/enclosure rather than providing it in a bowl
• If released fauna is still returning and eating all food provided, after eight weeks post-release, a review of the release must be completed and a plan implemented
• Wean fauna off the supplemented food slowly and systematically. Nutritional needs in the case of preparing for hard release:
• Does the animal recognise and eat natural food?
• Is it on a wild diet prior to release?
• Can it forage and catch its own food locally?
• Is it maintaining weight on a wild diet? 38 Food intake must be monitored regularly during Stage 2 and Stage 3. A
s a minimum requirement during Stage 2, body weight must be taken every two weeks. When the opportunity presents, body weights can be taken more frequently. Body condition scoring may be a substitute in cases of larger fauna. Weighing the animal during Stage 3 is not recommended due to the additional handling this involves, however if there are concerns about the animal’s food intake and body condition, its weight must be obtained and body condition assessed. A plan to improve the status of the animal can be set from here.
Release weights (where achievable and appropriate) and/or comments on body condition should be documented in the records maintained in respect of that animal. Environmental acclimatisation To minimise unnecessary stress, fauna must be taken through a process of environmental acclimatisation at each stage of their rehabilitation.
Stage 1 to Stage 2
• Reduce the amount of supplementary heat being provided. This can be reduced over one or two days by turning the thermostat/dimmer down or reducing the wattage of the heat source. The aim is to reach the point where the animal is still in its IC environment but is not receiving supplementary heat.
• Reptiles may require a thermal gradient.
Stage 2
• Move the fauna to an ambient temperature environment. This can involve keeping the fauna inside during the evening and exposing it to periods outside during the daytime.
• Progress to the fauna remaining outside all the time but still being held in a smaller holding cage, protected from inclement weather.
• Supplementary heat may be provided at night and on days when the weather is unseasonably cold.
• Provide the fauna with more space.
• Provide the fauna with basic structures in the environment to meet its needs, e.g. perches, climbing structure.
• Facilitate the waterproofing of plumage of avian fauna by providing access to water baths and/or dust baths for preening purposes.
• Reptiles may, in many cases, move from Stage 2 to immediate release.
Large varanids may be an exception to this, particularly where developing a level of fitness is essential prior to release. These monitors will benefit from being placed into a pre-release environment.
Stage 3
• Supplementary heating is discontinued.
• The fauna is kept outside all the time with access to inclement weather and protection.
• The fauna is provided with a larger environment to enable it to develop its fitness.
• Human interaction should be avoided unless absolutely necessary.
** Source DBCA Standards for Wildlife Care
These are:
• Stage 1 – Intensive Care (sick/injured/hand-rearing)
• Stage 2 – Acclimatisation
• Stage 3 – Pre-release
The following paragraphs describe the three stages and the housing best suited to the stage. Indoor caging is replaced by outdoor caging as the animal progresses through the rehabilitation process. Fauna requiring large expanses of water (e.g. grebes, pelicans, pelagic birds, and many marine animals) present some challenges to wildlife rehabilitators and this staged approach may not apply directly to such species.
During the process of recovering from an injury or illness and the rehabilitation period, fauna should not be moved from rehabilitator to rehabilitator unless it is essential and in the best interest of the animal. This type of disruption may lead to stress-related illness and possible separation anxiety. This is particularly important when dealing with hand-reared mammals. Stage 1 – Intensive Care Intensive Care (IC) has two main purposes: to restrict activity and to maximise environmental support by provision of medication, heat, humidity and supplementary nutrition.
IC is maintained primarily indoors. An animal that is sick/injured or is in the very early stages of recovery will have its movements restricted but will be provided with enough room to maintain a normal alert/upright posture and to stretch its body, limbs and tail, but not enough to leap, fly or run.
Conditions requiring restricted activity include re-hydration, hypothermia, fractured bones and wound care. Any animal with severely debilitating conditions such as shock, toxicity, neurological impairment or other conditions that require close supervision and management should be considered for IC.
Fly-proof enclosures are essential to prevent fly strike of wounds. The holding area should be small enough to facilitate easy observation and capture, thereby minimising capture stress and the possibility of injury during repeated periods of capture and treatment.
Fauna confined to their pouch/nest prior to weaning and fledging are included in this category. Restricted activity areas are provided by housing in hotboxes, pet packs, veterinary cages and other small enclosures.
Refer to Parks and Wildlife’s Basic Wildlife Rehabilitators’ Course Manual for more comprehensive information on 36 options for IC housing.
Perches close to the cage floor (relative to the size of the bird) and/or walk-ups to perches should be provided to avoid further injury or damage to tail feathers. Padded perches or substrate should be provided to minimise bumblefoot in raptors and waterbirds. Where available, Perspex hotbox fronts should be provided for owls, raptors and high-stress birds to prevent beak and feather damage. Hiding areas, such as boxes/pouches or towels, must be provided for those species with more reclusive behaviour such as snakes and marsupials.
Stage 2 – Acclimatisation
Acclimatisation and physical therapy comprise the next phase of the rehabilitation process during which the animals are recovering from illness or injury. In the case of orphaned fauna, Stage 2 involves the process of weaning/fledging and can involve a combination of both indoors and outdoors housing.
Movement is now encouraged to build up strength and to provide gentle physiotherapy where needed. This physical therapy may be voluntary or enforced by the rehabilitator. Periodic capture and medical treatment may still be necessary and the animal must be in an appropriately sized holding area to facilitate this.
Similar enclosures should also be used for fledged birds and mammals in the process of weaning. Macropod ‘joey yards’ may fall into this category, with a setup being as simple as a verandah or small section of garden with ad lib access to hanging pouches and/or a secure enclosure.
Outdoor caging should provide the opportunity for short flights or walks/runs. Perches and walk-ups to perches (birds) or hiding areas and nest boxes (all fauna) should be provided. Semi-aquatic and pelagic species should be exercised under supervision in tubs or pools of water provided for that purpose. Housing for reptiles must contain hygienic, absorbent substrate and a shelter that facilitates natural hiding behaviour.
Reptiles that naturally bask must be provided with lighting appropriate to the species’ needs (e.g. UV light). Arboreal (tree-dwelling) reptiles must be given climbing opportunities and aquatic reptiles (e.g. turtles) must be given swimming opportunities. Stage 3 – Pre-release Unlimited activity using large outdoor aviaries/enclosures is essential in this stage. This environment provides physical and psychological experiences and conditioning or reconditioning through extended flights for birds and walking, running and/or climbing for reptiles/mammals.
This housing should allow fauna to improve their strength, develop stamina and coordination, restore muscle tone, and continue to acclimatise to current weather conditions and other elemental stimuli such as wind, noise and the general environment. Physical therapy should be initiated by the fauna, although additional exercising may be provided by caregivers if considered necessary.
Pre-release aviaries/enclosures should be used to prepare fledged birds and weaned 37 mammals for release. There are often one or two additional stages factored into Stage 3 for hand-reared macropods. Reptile and amphibian species are often an exception to requiring a staged rehabilitation process.
Most lizards, snakes and tortoises can move from Stage 2 directly to release. The larger varanid species may require a Stage 3 pre-release period in their rehabilitation to ensure fitness on release. Certain raptor species will require free-flying prior to release to build up strength and conditioning. Nutritional acclimatisation As the fauna progresses through Stage 1 and moves into Stage 2, its nutritional needs must be considered and a plan put into place. An early move to a natural diet is essential in many species due to the possibility of unknown nutritional deficiencies in captive diets and the unavailability of many captive diet food items in the wild.
All fauna should be fed a nutritionally balanced, palatable diet in a form and presentation that they will recognise and be exposed to once released. Nutritional balance is essential for all fauna and is particularly critical in the case of fast growing young fauna. Parks and Wildlife does not condone the feeding of live prey, other than insects and fish, during rehabilitation.
Nutritional needs in the case of preparing for soft releases:
• Consider whether to provide a standard bowl of food close to a release hatch or the aviary door
• In preparation for when the hatch/door is open and the fauna can return for the food
• Consider changing the presentation of the food by allowing it to be scattered in the aviary/enclosure rather than providing it in a bowl
• If released fauna is still returning and eating all food provided, after eight weeks post-release, a review of the release must be completed and a plan implemented
• Wean fauna off the supplemented food slowly and systematically. Nutritional needs in the case of preparing for hard release:
• Does the animal recognise and eat natural food?
• Is it on a wild diet prior to release?
• Can it forage and catch its own food locally?
• Is it maintaining weight on a wild diet? 38 Food intake must be monitored regularly during Stage 2 and Stage 3. A
s a minimum requirement during Stage 2, body weight must be taken every two weeks. When the opportunity presents, body weights can be taken more frequently. Body condition scoring may be a substitute in cases of larger fauna. Weighing the animal during Stage 3 is not recommended due to the additional handling this involves, however if there are concerns about the animal’s food intake and body condition, its weight must be obtained and body condition assessed. A plan to improve the status of the animal can be set from here.
Release weights (where achievable and appropriate) and/or comments on body condition should be documented in the records maintained in respect of that animal. Environmental acclimatisation To minimise unnecessary stress, fauna must be taken through a process of environmental acclimatisation at each stage of their rehabilitation.
Stage 1 to Stage 2
• Reduce the amount of supplementary heat being provided. This can be reduced over one or two days by turning the thermostat/dimmer down or reducing the wattage of the heat source. The aim is to reach the point where the animal is still in its IC environment but is not receiving supplementary heat.
• Reptiles may require a thermal gradient.
Stage 2
• Move the fauna to an ambient temperature environment. This can involve keeping the fauna inside during the evening and exposing it to periods outside during the daytime.
• Progress to the fauna remaining outside all the time but still being held in a smaller holding cage, protected from inclement weather.
• Supplementary heat may be provided at night and on days when the weather is unseasonably cold.
• Provide the fauna with more space.
• Provide the fauna with basic structures in the environment to meet its needs, e.g. perches, climbing structure.
• Facilitate the waterproofing of plumage of avian fauna by providing access to water baths and/or dust baths for preening purposes.
• Reptiles may, in many cases, move from Stage 2 to immediate release.
Large varanids may be an exception to this, particularly where developing a level of fitness is essential prior to release. These monitors will benefit from being placed into a pre-release environment.
Stage 3
• Supplementary heating is discontinued.
• The fauna is kept outside all the time with access to inclement weather and protection.
• The fauna is provided with a larger environment to enable it to develop its fitness.
• Human interaction should be avoided unless absolutely necessary.
** Source DBCA Standards for Wildlife Care
BASIC REQUIREMENTS FOR HOUSING DURING REHABILITATION
The natural biology and behaviour of any species must be considered in the enclosure design process. Not only does the enclosure provide for security from escapes and protection from outside interferences and predators, it provides habitat in which the animal can learn or relearn behaviours specific to that species.
Caging should provide fauna undergoing rehabilitation with the opportunities necessary for complete recovery from injuries and/or for learning and practising vital behaviours such as foraging or hunting. Cage design and furniture should address and encourage species-specific patterns of foraging, play, rest or sleep, hiding or predator avoidance and social responses to conspecifics or cage mates, including reproductive behaviour.
Minimum standards for appropriate habitat furnishing can be found in the specific housing sections that follow. Wildlife rehabilitators should be able to provide enclosures or cages of appropriate size made from appropriate materials that contain appropriate furnishings for all ages of all species that they commonly care for.
The cage/enclosure/aviary sizes recommended in the standards are minimal, and the suggested materials work well for many rehabilitators. Alternative techniques for housing and pre-release conditioning are encouraged, but must meet basic natural biology, comfort, husbandry and hygiene requirements. Assigning cage size strictly by species is not always realistic as variations in an individual's size, and variations in an individual's behaviour due to age and season, will affect appropriate cage size. Dimensions can be modified to accommodate special needs of the facility, the individual animal or new advancements in the field. Minimum standards for enclosures are based on good judgement and sound practical sense.
All enclosures must be structurally sound, constructed of materials appropriate for the species housed, be maintained in good repair, and designed to protect the animal from injury, abuse, or harassment, while containing the animal and restricting the entrance of other fauna.
Enclosures must provide sufficient shelter from overheating, excessive rain and cold temperatures. Each animal must be able to turn about freely, and lie or sit comfortably, unless medically restrained. The construction material must be of sufficient strength and where practicable, be of a nonporous, waterproof finish to facilitate effective cleaning and disinfection.
The facility or home setup should have reliable and adequate water and electricity. Food and bedding must be stored in an appropriate manner that protects it from spoilage, infestation by parasites and contamination. Waste must be properly disposed of in accordance with all regulations, in a manner that minimises vermin infestation, odours, and disease hazards. The facility must provide fresh air in a manner that avoids drafts, odours, water 41 condensation, and provides auxiliary ventilation. Lighting must be adequate to allow for inspection and cleaning, while not stressing the fauna. The facility must be sufficiently drained to protect against sewage back-up and to rapidly eliminate water accumulation. Many indoor and outdoor cages can be constructed for multi-species use.
These cages can be quickly modified to accommodate different species through substituting different perches or other furnishings. A separate cage is not needed for each species the rehabilitator intends to treat, but cages should be able to be adequately cleaned and disinfected and adapted to meet the minimum standards required for the species.
The young of many species of fauna, e.g. fledgling magpies, black cockatoos and juvenile kangaroos, must be group-housed with like-species to avoid imprinting and/or socialisation with humans.
Efforts must be made to network with other rehabilitators to place individual (single) young fauna with others of their own species and to place large species that require an extensive area for rehabilitation in an environment conducive to their recovery. General indoor housing Indoor holding is generally applicable when an animal is in Stage 1 of the rehabilitation process and is sick/injured or is being hand-reared.
This is a critical time for the animal and stress must be reduced as much as possible. Minimum standards include:
• Location in an area that provides minimal visual and auditory stimuli.
• Provision of visual barriers, positioning cage fronts away from human activity, and placing the enclosures as far from noise and high traffic areas as is practicable.
• Fauna should be exposed to natural daylight where possible, subject to species-specific, requirements. Full-spectrum, UVB, UVA and visible lighting should be used when natural lighting is not possible. Any artificial light source should be timed to mimic current seasonal daylight cycles.
• Nocturnal fauna should be covered by day and left uncovered by night
General outdoor housing Fauna undergoing rehabilitation must be housed in secure outdoor enclosures prior to release to allow for adjustments to climate and external natural stimuli. Large, outdoor enclosures provide opportunities for exercise, behavioural rehabilitation, and climate adjustments, while smaller outdoor caging may be used for Stage 2 acclimatising. The selection of minimum cage sizes is determined by the fauna’s ability to make a full recovery.
Note: None of the Stage 1 or Stage 2 sizes are recommended for extended or permanent care (with the exception of reptiles). Housing for fauna kept permanently (e.g. for educational, exhibit or captive-breeding purposes) is not addressed in this document. Refer to the Wildlife Conservation Regulations 1970, Section 31, Code of Practice for Exhibited Animals and Birds in Western Australia and General Standards for Exhibiting Animals and Birds in NSW.
A link for this document can be found in the reference section. The information available on appropriate aviary/enclosure sizes for all captive wildlife species is limited, however Parks and Wildlife recommends that where practicable rehabilitators adopt as a minimum standard, the Stage 3 pre-release sizes (as noted in this document) for housing fauna used for education and breeding purposes. Special consideration must be made in the design of outdoor enclosures to provide adequate and proper shelter, safety, and habitat for all fauna in rehabilitation.
Enclosures should be made secure against rodents and potential predators, including adequate perimeter control. For example, a cement floor and foundation with suitable mesh and cover. For more detailed information, refer to the ‘Housing requirements’ described in the following pages for the various groups of fauna. Enclosures and their contents should duplicate natural conditions wherever practical.
Design of enclosures should provide for ease of cleaning, proper ventilation, adequate light and temperature control. Proper substrates and furnishings appropriate for each species should also be provided in each enclosure. Fresh water for drinking and/or bathing must be available in each enclosure.
Each outdoor enclosure must possess an area that provides necessary protection from the elements, yet still enables the animal to be conditioned for survival in the wild. Similarly, all outdoor cages should be partially roofed to provide shelter from inclement weather and a dry area where food can be placed without being spoiled by the elements.
Outdoor enclosures ideally protect the animal without habituating it to human activity. To avoid habituation to humans and/or imprinting, enclosures should be surrounded by a fence or placed out of view. As in the design of indoor housing, minimal human contact, both visual and auditory, is essential. Domestic animals and other potential predators must be prevented from contacting fauna in rehabilitation as predator avoidance is an important factor in survival of rehabilitated fauna.
Consideration of these variables when designing outdoor enclosures is vital for proper rehabilitation of wildlife. Outdoor housing alone may not be adequate for full conditioning of certain species or providing a suitable environment for full recovery from certain injuries. For example, the fitness-conditioning requirement for successful release of a pelican recovering from a leg fracture may exceed that provided by most rehabilitators.
The large cages or deep pools necessary for proper conditioning of some species are not available to all wildlife rehabilitators. In many instances, cooperation with other rehabilitators or wildlife professionals may ultimately be the most successful strategy available to individual rehabilitators.
Transferring fauna to other rehabilitators with more appropriate caging is essential. The successful release and continued survival of rehabilitated fauna should be the goal of all rehabilitators and networking to share information, skills and equipment is vital to the success of rehabilitation efforts and to achieving the best outcome for the fauna.
** Source DBCA Standards for Wildlife Care
Caging should provide fauna undergoing rehabilitation with the opportunities necessary for complete recovery from injuries and/or for learning and practising vital behaviours such as foraging or hunting. Cage design and furniture should address and encourage species-specific patterns of foraging, play, rest or sleep, hiding or predator avoidance and social responses to conspecifics or cage mates, including reproductive behaviour.
Minimum standards for appropriate habitat furnishing can be found in the specific housing sections that follow. Wildlife rehabilitators should be able to provide enclosures or cages of appropriate size made from appropriate materials that contain appropriate furnishings for all ages of all species that they commonly care for.
The cage/enclosure/aviary sizes recommended in the standards are minimal, and the suggested materials work well for many rehabilitators. Alternative techniques for housing and pre-release conditioning are encouraged, but must meet basic natural biology, comfort, husbandry and hygiene requirements. Assigning cage size strictly by species is not always realistic as variations in an individual's size, and variations in an individual's behaviour due to age and season, will affect appropriate cage size. Dimensions can be modified to accommodate special needs of the facility, the individual animal or new advancements in the field. Minimum standards for enclosures are based on good judgement and sound practical sense.
All enclosures must be structurally sound, constructed of materials appropriate for the species housed, be maintained in good repair, and designed to protect the animal from injury, abuse, or harassment, while containing the animal and restricting the entrance of other fauna.
Enclosures must provide sufficient shelter from overheating, excessive rain and cold temperatures. Each animal must be able to turn about freely, and lie or sit comfortably, unless medically restrained. The construction material must be of sufficient strength and where practicable, be of a nonporous, waterproof finish to facilitate effective cleaning and disinfection.
The facility or home setup should have reliable and adequate water and electricity. Food and bedding must be stored in an appropriate manner that protects it from spoilage, infestation by parasites and contamination. Waste must be properly disposed of in accordance with all regulations, in a manner that minimises vermin infestation, odours, and disease hazards. The facility must provide fresh air in a manner that avoids drafts, odours, water 41 condensation, and provides auxiliary ventilation. Lighting must be adequate to allow for inspection and cleaning, while not stressing the fauna. The facility must be sufficiently drained to protect against sewage back-up and to rapidly eliminate water accumulation. Many indoor and outdoor cages can be constructed for multi-species use.
These cages can be quickly modified to accommodate different species through substituting different perches or other furnishings. A separate cage is not needed for each species the rehabilitator intends to treat, but cages should be able to be adequately cleaned and disinfected and adapted to meet the minimum standards required for the species.
The young of many species of fauna, e.g. fledgling magpies, black cockatoos and juvenile kangaroos, must be group-housed with like-species to avoid imprinting and/or socialisation with humans.
Efforts must be made to network with other rehabilitators to place individual (single) young fauna with others of their own species and to place large species that require an extensive area for rehabilitation in an environment conducive to their recovery. General indoor housing Indoor holding is generally applicable when an animal is in Stage 1 of the rehabilitation process and is sick/injured or is being hand-reared.
This is a critical time for the animal and stress must be reduced as much as possible. Minimum standards include:
• Location in an area that provides minimal visual and auditory stimuli.
• Provision of visual barriers, positioning cage fronts away from human activity, and placing the enclosures as far from noise and high traffic areas as is practicable.
• Fauna should be exposed to natural daylight where possible, subject to species-specific, requirements. Full-spectrum, UVB, UVA and visible lighting should be used when natural lighting is not possible. Any artificial light source should be timed to mimic current seasonal daylight cycles.
• Nocturnal fauna should be covered by day and left uncovered by night
General outdoor housing Fauna undergoing rehabilitation must be housed in secure outdoor enclosures prior to release to allow for adjustments to climate and external natural stimuli. Large, outdoor enclosures provide opportunities for exercise, behavioural rehabilitation, and climate adjustments, while smaller outdoor caging may be used for Stage 2 acclimatising. The selection of minimum cage sizes is determined by the fauna’s ability to make a full recovery.
Note: None of the Stage 1 or Stage 2 sizes are recommended for extended or permanent care (with the exception of reptiles). Housing for fauna kept permanently (e.g. for educational, exhibit or captive-breeding purposes) is not addressed in this document. Refer to the Wildlife Conservation Regulations 1970, Section 31, Code of Practice for Exhibited Animals and Birds in Western Australia and General Standards for Exhibiting Animals and Birds in NSW.
A link for this document can be found in the reference section. The information available on appropriate aviary/enclosure sizes for all captive wildlife species is limited, however Parks and Wildlife recommends that where practicable rehabilitators adopt as a minimum standard, the Stage 3 pre-release sizes (as noted in this document) for housing fauna used for education and breeding purposes. Special consideration must be made in the design of outdoor enclosures to provide adequate and proper shelter, safety, and habitat for all fauna in rehabilitation.
Enclosures should be made secure against rodents and potential predators, including adequate perimeter control. For example, a cement floor and foundation with suitable mesh and cover. For more detailed information, refer to the ‘Housing requirements’ described in the following pages for the various groups of fauna. Enclosures and their contents should duplicate natural conditions wherever practical.
Design of enclosures should provide for ease of cleaning, proper ventilation, adequate light and temperature control. Proper substrates and furnishings appropriate for each species should also be provided in each enclosure. Fresh water for drinking and/or bathing must be available in each enclosure.
Each outdoor enclosure must possess an area that provides necessary protection from the elements, yet still enables the animal to be conditioned for survival in the wild. Similarly, all outdoor cages should be partially roofed to provide shelter from inclement weather and a dry area where food can be placed without being spoiled by the elements.
Outdoor enclosures ideally protect the animal without habituating it to human activity. To avoid habituation to humans and/or imprinting, enclosures should be surrounded by a fence or placed out of view. As in the design of indoor housing, minimal human contact, both visual and auditory, is essential. Domestic animals and other potential predators must be prevented from contacting fauna in rehabilitation as predator avoidance is an important factor in survival of rehabilitated fauna.
Consideration of these variables when designing outdoor enclosures is vital for proper rehabilitation of wildlife. Outdoor housing alone may not be adequate for full conditioning of certain species or providing a suitable environment for full recovery from certain injuries. For example, the fitness-conditioning requirement for successful release of a pelican recovering from a leg fracture may exceed that provided by most rehabilitators.
The large cages or deep pools necessary for proper conditioning of some species are not available to all wildlife rehabilitators. In many instances, cooperation with other rehabilitators or wildlife professionals may ultimately be the most successful strategy available to individual rehabilitators.
Transferring fauna to other rehabilitators with more appropriate caging is essential. The successful release and continued survival of rehabilitated fauna should be the goal of all rehabilitators and networking to share information, skills and equipment is vital to the success of rehabilitation efforts and to achieving the best outcome for the fauna.
** Source DBCA Standards for Wildlife Care