So you want to be a wildlife carer
- Time
- Commitment
- Money
- Correct equipment and facilities
- Work commitments
- Are you prepared for sad times?
- Are you prepared to return the animal to the wild?
Wildlife carers are individuals from all walks of life that volunteer their time and resources to rescue, care for and rehabilitate native wildlife.
Their primary role is to rehabilitate wildlife so they may be returned to the wild.
If you are interested in taking care of native wildlife, it is a good idea to talk to other carers about what is involved. There are also a number of reference books that will provide you with further information.
Potential carers must weigh up the following when deciding to rescue and rehabilitate native wildlife.
Time
It takes a great deal of time to feed animals, clean their cages, and collect wild food, administer medical care and develop their wild instincts. Wild animals have special needs and food requirements and it will be your responsibility to find out what these are. You should be prepared to ask for help from other carers, veterinarians or wildlife organisations and remember that the goal is to give the animal the best possible chance of being returned to the wild.
Commitment
You must be committed to caring for animals. Unfurred orphaned marsupials may need to be fed every 2-3 hours, and young birds more frequently. Some animals, such as orphaned wallabies and kangaroos, may be in care for up to a year before they are ready to be released. It may be difficult to go on holidays, to work or out to dinner. It is necessary to consider your lifestyle and whether you are able to care for a dependant animal.
Money
It costs money to look after native wildlife. You will have to pay for food, housing and veterinary/medical care. Raising a furless joey will cost about $500 a year, without housing and vet costs.
Correct equipment and facilities
You may need special food, pouches, blankets, bottles, teats, hot water bottles, cages, aviaries and enclosures. All sick and injured wildlife must be kept in a quiet, stress-free environment away from dogs, cats or young children, as loud noises can stress and subsequently kill them. Pets cannot be trusted with sick, injured or orphaned wildlife. Moreover, wild animals that become accustomed to pets put themselves at risk when they are released into the wild.
Work commitments
Orphaned and young animals require regular feeding. To meet these demands, you may have to take the young animal to work. This may not be possible if you work in a food outlet or hospital because of health regulations. The other considerations are the level of noise in the workplace, the temperature of the building and whether your manager allows you to tend to the animal. The last point is especially important, as you will spend work-time caring for the animal.
Are you prepared for sad times?
Unfortunately not all animals that come into your care can be nursed back to health. A large number of animals die. Other animals will have to be euthanased. Generally, wild adult animals do not cope with being regularly handled by humans and some injuries are impossible to treat.
Are you prepared to return the animal to the wild?
The law requires you to release an animal back into the wild when it is rehabilitated. This is the goal of wildlife care. Do not treat rehabilitated wildlife as pets, as this impacts on their ability to survive in the wild.
Moreover, you should always do what is best for the animal in the short and long-term.
Last updated: 14 December 2004