Wildlife Heroes Wildlife Rescue Handbook
to keep animals and rescuers safe
You can save the life of an animal by knowing what to do as the first person on the scene. The new Wildlife Heroes Wildlife Rescue Handbook is full of first aid advice for anyone who comes across an injured or orphaned native animal.
The handbook is subtitled the first 24 hours as a reminder that your main wildlife rescue goal is to get the animal to a licensed volunteer who can provide the best care.
The handbook was inspired by the many kind citizens who wanted to help wildlife they came across during the Black Summer bushfires. Most Australians love wildlife and want to help in any way they can. Wildlife volunteers report that while members of the public mean well, they sometimes make matters worse when attempting to handle or feed animals.
Summer is the worst season for ‘wildlife rescue gone wrong’ with a spike in kidnapped baby birds, pouch young with damaged limbs and pneumonia or diarrhoea caused by attempts to give food or water.
The Wildlife Heroes Wildlife Rescue Handbook provides simple first aid tips to maximise wildlife survival rates and keep animals and rescuers safe.
A recent study found that approximately 4 million mammals (such as kangaroos and wombats) are killed on Australian roads every year, leading to around 500,000 orphaned young.
Add to that the hundreds of native animals injured and orphaned every day by cats, dogs, netting, habitat destruction, bushfires and drought… wildlife need our help.
Keep a copy of the handbook in your car or on your phone. Wildlife rescue services are run by busy volunteers who often have to travel long distances to provide assistance.The Wildlife Heroes Wildlife Rescue Handbook may come in handy during the 20 minutes or several hours it takes to get an injured animal to an expert. Only essential first-aid should be carried out. The animal should be taken to a veterinarian or a qualified wildlife carer asap.
Australia’s 15,000+ licensed wildlife volunteers are trained and authorised to care for native wildlife and they do a fantastic job. They have specialist equipment, food and medical supplies to save the lives of wildlife and give them the best chance of getting back to the wild.
Remember: Do not attempt to capture a sick or injured animal if it means putting you or other people in any danger. Call your local wildlife rescue group so they can assist. Find your local wildlife group here
Visit FNPW’s Wildlife Heroes Project for more information on this project.