Becoming a wildlife carer

Dedicated volunteers have a long history of caring for sick, injured and orphaned wildlife. In many instances, their care has helped redress some of the impacts of habitat clearing, vehicle strikes, dog attacks and even incidents of animal cruelty.

The commitment of these volunteers has seen thousands of wild animals rehabilitated and returned to the wild and made a real and practical contribution to wildlife conservation in Queensland.

If you are caring for native animals, be prepared to treat them as wild animals. It is important reduce human contact, so that the animals can fend for themselves when reintroduced to the wild. Releasing them back into their natural environment is a requirement under the Nature Conservation Act 1992.

Sick and injured wild animals that cannot be rehabilitated have to be euthanised by a vet or wildlife carer. This may be the only option when an animal is in pain or cannot survive as a wild animal.

To become involved in wildlife rehabilitation, contact your nearest wildlife care group (call 1300 ANIMAL (1300 264 625)) or the Queensland Wildlife Rehabilitation Council (QWRC).

To become a wildlife carer you must hold or be endorsed under a rehabilitation permit and meet the standards described in the Code of Practice—Care of Sick, Injured or Orphaned Protected Animals in Queensland

There are a number of wildlife care groups in Queensland. RSPCA Queensland and the Queensland Wildlife Rehabilitation Council can provide information about these groups.