Wild Island

Absolutely. Female marsupials carry their young in a pouch, and it’s not uncommon for joeys to survive even after the mother has been killed, especially in colder weather or if the trauma was recent.

1. FIRSTLY, ENSURE YOUR OWN SAFETY

• Park well off the road, with your hazard lights on.
• Be cautious of traffic, especially at dawn, dusk, or night.
• If you’re unsure or it’s unsafe to stop, call Bonorong Wildlife Rescue on 0447 264 625 and report the exact location. They’ll send a trained rescuer.

2. APPROACH SLOWLY AND CHECK FOR SIGNS OF LIFE

• Watch for movement, breathing, or a twitch of the ears.
• Even if the animal appears lifeless, a joey may still be alive inside.

3. CAREFULLY CHECK THE POUCH

• Adult marsupials like pademelons, wallabies and wombats have a pouch on their underside.
• Locate the pouch and gently stretch the opening of the pouch and look inside, never assume it’s empty. You may need a torch at night.
• Newborn joeys can be very small. Some species may have more that one joey.

4. IF A JOEY IS INSIDE

• Do not attempt to remove it if it’s still firmly attached to the teat. Forcible removal can injure or kill the joey.
• Call Bonorong immediately for advice: 0447 264 625.
• If the joey is unattached and loose, place your hand inside the pouch and gently scoop the joey with the palm of your hand along its back. Never try to remove a joey by a limb or by the tail.
• Place it in a warm, dark pouch (like a fabric bag or jumper) and keep it close to your body for warmth until help arrives.

5. DO NOT PROVIDE ANY FORM OF FOOD OR FLUID

• Do not give the joey any food or fluids. Offering food or fluids can cause more harm than good, despite good intentions.

6. WAIT FOR HELP TO ARRIVE

• Bonorong operates Tasmania’s largest 24-hour wildlife rescue service, providing care and protection to thousands of animals each year.
• This essential service is supported by a dedicated network of trained community rescuers and wildlife carers, all of whom generously donate their time, energy, and resources to help animals in need.

Your safety comes first. Before approaching, assess the scene: are you on a safe stretch of road? Is the animal moving or bleeding? Can you keep others (like pets or children) away?

If you determine it’s safe:

• Use a towel or blanket to gently cover the animal. This helps calm them and reduce shock.
• Lift them carefully into a well-ventilated box or carrier. Make sure it’s lined with something soft and there’s enough airflow.
• Do not give food or water, even if they seem hungry or thirsty. Many native species have very specific dietary needs and improper feeding can be fatal.

Common mistake: People often assume birds or mammals with ‘just a wing’ or ‘just a leg’ injury will heal on their own. Intervention is the key to survival.

This is one of the most misunderstood situations. A lot of fledglings (young birds learning to fly) spend a day or two on the ground while strengthening their wings. The parents are almost always nearby, feeding and watching.

How to tell if help is needed:

• If the bird is hopping, alert, and has short feathers, it’s likely a fledgling. Unless it’s in immediate danger (like a cat nearby), leave it alone.
• If the bird is mostly fluff, bleeding, or lying flat, it’s a nestling and needs urgent care.
• If the parents have been absent for several hours and the chick is calling constantly, it may be orphaned.

If you do intervene, gently place the bird in a small box with tissue or cloth, and call a wildlife carer for advice. Many birds do not feed well in care without expert help, so quick action improves survival.

Your best first contact in Tasmania is Bonorong Wildlife Rescue 0447 264 625.
They can guide you over the phone, send a volunteer rescuer or carer, or advise on where to take the animal.

Other options to consider:

• Your local vet. Many offer free triage for wildlife.
• Regional wildlife groups. Some areas have local carers or rescue networks.
• Tasmania’s Department of Natural Resources and Environment (for legal or specialist support).

It’s always okay to call even if you’re unsure. You won’t be judged for caring. Every successful rescue starts with a simple question.

Echidnas are surprisingly strong and determined little diggers. When threatened, they wedge themselves tightly into the ground, making them hard to move, but this doesn’t mean they’re uninjured.

Steps to follow:

• If uninjured and on the road, guide them gently to the roadside. Do not lift by the quills, they’re not handles and will break off.
• If the echidna has been hit by a car or looks dazed, call for help immediately. Many injured females are carrying puggles (baby echidnas) in a skin fold pouch, which are extremely vulnerable and cannot survive without the mother.

Echidnas have low body temperature tolerance, so rapid attention is essential. Even if they seem fine, it’s worth getting them checked.

Yes, but only if it’s safe to do so. Removing roadkill prevents secondary collisions with scavengers like Tasmanian devils and quolls, who are often killed feeding on the carcass.

What to do:

• Always wear gloves or use a tool.
• Pull the animal well clear of the road (not just to the verge).
• Mark the site if possible, especially if you’ve removed a joey or called for help. This prevents repeat stops by other concerned people.

It’s a simple act, but one that can break the chain of loss for other species.

Never attempt to handle a snake. Even injured snakes can bite reflexively and may carry venom. Instead, keep your distance and call a licensed reptile handler for assistance.

For lizards or blue-tongues:

• Use a soft towel and gently scoop them into a ventilated container.
• They may lose their tail if overly stressed, but this is a defence mechanism, not a fatal injury.
• Keep them warm and dark until you can get help.

Tasmania is home to several skink and dragon species, and they often go unnoticed until it’s too late. Awareness makes all the difference.

Tasmanian microbats are tiny, insect-eating mammals often found clinging to walls, hiding under bark, or caught in buildings.

If you find one:

• Never handle with bare hands. Even a tiny scratch can carry disease risks.
• Use gloves and a cloth to gently scoop it into a box with ventilation and soft lining.
• Bats are prone to dehydration and shock, so minimise stress and seek expert help quickly.

Important: In Tasmania, only qualified carers can legally rehabilitate bats, so prompt reporting is essential.

Even if the animal seems to have escaped with only a few scratches, the situation is urgent. Cats carry bacteria in their saliva that can cause fatal infections in wildlife within 24–48 hours. Dogs may leave bruising or internal injuries even if there are no puncture marks.

If your pet has caught a bird, possum, wallaby joey, or any other native animal:

• Contain the animal safely using a towel and ventilated box.
• Keep it warm, dark, and quiet.
• Contact Bonorong Wildlife Rescue immediately, even if it seems fine.

Early intervention can mean the difference between life and death.

Yes, please do. Even if you can’t remain with the animal, passing along what you saw can still help. Try to take note of:

• The exact location (GPS pin, road marker, nearby landmark)
• The species (or general description)
• Whether the animal was moving, vocalising, bleeding, or deceased

You can also leave a visible marker like a cloth or branch to draw attention to the spot for rescuers arriving later. Your call might be the only chance that animal has.

Not necessarily. Some native species, particularly joeys, bats, gliders, and small marsupials enter a state of torpor or shock in response to cold or trauma. They may appear lifeless but are actually in a survival state, conserving energy.

Unless there are clear signs of death (stiff limbs, odour, injury beyond help), gently wrap the animal in a warm cloth, keep it safe and quiet, and seek advice.

Children are naturally curious and empathetic. Rescue situations are a great opportunity to teach kindness, responsibility, and respect for nature.

Encourage them to:

• Never approach or pick up an animal without an adult
• Watch and observe from a distance
• Notify a grown-up straight away
• Celebrate compassion rather than fear

Let them be part of the rescue process if appropriate, calling a wildlife carer together, or helping gently place a box in the car. These moments can shape how they see the world and their role in protecting it.

Most of Tasmania’s native mammals are nocturnal. This includes possums, wallabies, devils, quolls, bandicoots, and many species of birds and bats. Unfortunately, this also means they’re more active on or near roads during the hours when visibility is lowest.

If you’re travelling at night:

• Drive slowly, especially on rural or bush roads
• Scan the road edges
• If you hit or spot an animal, stop when it is safe to do so

Keeping a spotlight torch and rescue kit in your car is a great idea, especially during joey season or in high-risk areas. One check in the dark can save a life.

Yes! And it’s vital to know your limits.

Avoid direct handling of:

• Snakes – In Tasmania, all snakes are protected and venomous. Even injured ones can bite defensively.
• Bats – While fascinating and gentle, bats can carry viruses. Only vaccinated wildlife carers should handle them.
• Large wombats or wallabies – When injured, they may lash out or panic. Their size and strength can pose serious risk.
• Birds of prey – Raptors like owls and eagles have powerful talons and beaks that can injure even trained handlers.

In these cases:

• Keep people and pets away
• Contain the animal without touching it if possible (e.g. place a box or laundry basket over it)
• Call Bonorong Wildlife Rescue without delay

Safety is essential, for both you and the animal.