What to do if you find wildlife on the ground
As the weather gets warmer and the wildlife becomes more active (hello baby season!), you might come across more wildlife when you’re out and about.
We know that finding a native animal, bird or reptile on the ground can be exciting but it’s important to leave them alone. However, if you suspect they may be sick or injured, it is important to safely transport them to a veterinary hospital or contact Wildlife Victoria to make sure they are ok.
Here’s an easy guide on what to do if you find wildlife.
What to do if you find a bird on the ground
There are three stages of a bird’s life.
This guide from Wildlife Victoria is an easy way to check whether you should intervene or not.
Nestling – these baby birds cannot fly and are immobile. They are still relying on their parents for food.
Fledgling – these birds are starting to become more active and are practicing flying (but they may not be very good at it).
Adult – these birds are able to fly and may even have babies of their own.
Spring means plenty of baby birds in nests and learning to fly, so it may come as a surprise to you that if you find a baby bird on the ground, more often than not, you should leave it alone.
Usually the parents are nearby and if you touch the baby bird, it may cause the parents to abandon it.
What to do if you find a possum on the ground
If you find a possum, on the ground during the day, there is a big chance something is wrong - it is usually either sick or injured.
One of the most common injuries possums experience is from dog and cat attacks. If your pet attacks a possum, please call us on 9842 5330 as soon as possible - don’t worry, we won’t judge. The sooner we can access their injuries, the sooner we can start to treat them and get them back in the wild where they belong.
Baby possums need to be taken to a vet straight or given to a Wildlife Victoria carer as soon as possible. If you find a baby possum, make sure to place it somewhere warm when you take it to your nearest vet as they can’t regulate their body temperature.
If you find a deceased possum, and it is safe or hygienic to do so, please check if they have a pouch and if there is a baby possum inside. If so, please leave the baby possum inside and transport the deceased possum and baby to your nearest vet clinic. Pulling the baby off the teat is discouraged as it can damage their tiny mouth.
Please note: Bats should not be handled by members of public as they can carry diseases and must be only handled by wildlife carers who have had rabies injections. If you find a bat, please contact Wildlife Victoria.
What to do if you find a reptile on the ground
Now, it goes without saying that you should be very very careful when handling any reptile, and we would recommend that if you find an injured snake, you call Wildlife Victoria straight away and do not attempt to handle it.
But for those reptiles that you can identify, like lizards, if it is injured or unable to move please use a towel to handle it and take it to your nearest vet.
If you find a turtle, the best thing to do is to take a few photos and give Wildlife Victoria a call. They will need to identify whether the turtle is wild or a pet, and if it is a native or an invasive. As turtles can walk up to 5km between waterways, you might find them wandering around in places that are unsafe. If you do need to pick up a turtle, always wear gloves or use a towel as their shells can have some pretty nasty bacteria living on them.
Other wildlife handling tips
Always take note of where you found the wildlife
Only approach wildlife if it is safe to do so
Use minimal handling when transporting wildlife
If you are ever unsure of what to do, contact Wildlife Victoria on 8400 7300 or us on 9842 5330