Caring for Wildlife in Wollondilly Shire
Council are dedicated to ensuring the health and welfare of native animals. Here's what to do if you find an injured animal.
The Wollondilly Shire abounds in natural areas that provide homes to numerous plants and animals. The shire contains extensive areas of National Park, Water Catchment Lands and major rivers including the Nepean, Bargo, Cataract and the Upper Georges.
There are over 101 threatened fauna species that occur within the shire including our much loved koala.
With increased urban development and the effects of drought over the last couple of years we are seeing more dispersal of native animals trying to find food and places to live.
This combined with major roads that pass through the shire, such as the Hume Hwy, Picton Road and Appin Road, is creating substantial increases in road strike of native animals.
Sign up for our free Wildlife First course here.
Wildlife Rescue Groups
There are dedicated groups of people that volunteer their time to to help injured wildlife with three organisations servicing this region.
- Wollondilly WIRES - 13 000 WIRES (1300 094 737)
- Sydney Wildlife - 9413 4300 (24hr rescue advice line)
- Wildlife Rescue South Coast - 0418 427 214 (Southern Highlands)
What to do if you find an injured animal
Here is some valuable advice from WIRES on what to do if you find an injured animal.
1) If you have found a sick, injured or orphaned animal, remove any threat to the animal.
This includes keeping all people and pets away from the native animal, to minimise stress to the animal for vet transport or until a rescuer arrives.
2) If it is safe to do so, please contain the animal in a warm, dark, quiet place.
For example, gently wrap the animal in a towel and place it in a ventilated box with a lid and transport it carefully to the nearest vet or wait for the rescuer to arrive.
3) Do not give the animal any food or water, unless instructed to by a vet or WIRES.
