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

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.

If rehabilitating koalas, you must also comply with the Code of Practice—Rehabilitation of Sick, Injured, or Orphaned Koalas in Queensland.

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

Unfortunately, there may also be occasions where it is necessary to humanely euthanise an animal because its suffering cannot be managed (including by a veterinarian), the animal has a poor prognosis for survival, further treatment is not practical and/or recovery is not expected such that the animal can be successfully rehabilitated to the wild.

A wildlife rehabilitator should establish a working relationship with a veterinarian, veterinary practice or facility able to provide veterinary care for rescued native animals.

There are a number of wildlife carer groups in Queensland. To become involved in wildlife rehabilitation search online for a licensed wildlife care group in your area.

For more information about koala carer and rehabilitators visit the Queensland Koala Rehabilitators Hub.