Wildlife Victoria

Have you seen a hairless wombat wandering around during the day? They likely have mange, but the good news is it's treatable!

What is mange?
It is an infestation of the parasitic mite known as Sarcoptes scabiei. These mites burrow under the wombat's skin, forming tunnels to lay eggs.

Mild Mange
- some hair loss
- still active at night
- reacts to your presence

Moderate
- significant hair loss
- pale and crusty scabbing found on sides, ears and face
- blind and/or deaf
- active during daylight

Severe
- little to no hair left
- scabs covering most of the body
- fly blown
- rotting smell
- no reaction to your presence

How does mange spread?
Through burrow sharing and home range overlap. The mites can live up to 3 weeks on surfaces and transfer from one to another through physical contact. Other animals that enter wombat burrows can also spread mange, e.g. foxes

How is it treated?
Using the antiparasitic Cydectin, mange can be treated through a couple of applications over the course of a few weeks via the pole and scoop or the burrow flap method.

Unfortunately, severe mange results in a secondary infection that cannot be treated with Cydectin and humane euthanasia is the kindest option.

Check out , with whom we work closely to treat affected wombats.

If you find a wombat with suspected mange, please take photos and call our 24/7 Emergency Response Service on 03 8400 7300.

Have you ever wondered how ringtails got their name?

Well, have a look at the way this ringtail's tail curls into a perfect ring!

This sweet joey was called into our 24/7 Emergency Response Service after being found on the ground next to her deceased mum. She was picked up by a caring community member and transported to a local vet. Once at the vet, they found her tail was slightly injured but could heal while in rehabilitation. It's a good sign if a ringtail's injured tail can still grip a finger and curl, as seen in the photos!

Tail injuries can be fatal for ringtails, as they act as a fifth limb used for balancing and gripping. Luckily for this joey, she was found in time for her tail to heal in care before returning to the wild, strong and mobile.

If you find sick, injured or orphaned wildlife, please call our 24/7 Emergency Response Service on 03 8400 7300!

Remember this long weekend that our Emergency Response Service is available 24/7 for any help or advice regarding sick, injured and orphaned wildlife across Victoria.

🚨Be sure to save the number in your phone in case of a wildlife emergency: 03 8400 7300

Stay safe and have a lovely weekend!

📸 by Lydia Phelan

Have you ever found yourself stuck at the bottom of an atrium, 10+ metres deep?

We hope not, but this raven did!

Spotted by a resident of the building, the raven was unable to fly back out in such a tight space. The windows adjoining the space were only able to open a few centimetres, making a rescue attempt quite difficult.

Luckily, experienced bird rescuer Nicky was able to attend. Using a net attached to some extension poles, Nicky was able to catch the raven and pull him safely through the window.

Once in the carrier, Nicky was able to assess the raven and found he was uninjured and in good condition.

Nicky was then able to rerelease the raven outside the building and into the open air.

If you find trapped native wildlife, please call our Emergency Response Service on 03 8400 7300

Wildlife Victoria's Travelling Veterinary Service was featured in the latest edition of National Geographic Kids!

What an incredible opportunity to show young wildlife lovers the important work wildlife vets and vet nurses do in caring for our precious native animals. We hope this story helps to inspire the next generation of wildlife lovers around the world.

Do you have a wildlife-obsessed kid in your life? Adopt a WildBuddy!

Symbolically adopt one of our iconic native animals on behalf of a child, and they’ll receive a plushie of their chosen species and one year of educational content and activities sent straight to your door every season.

For more information, click the link below:
https://shop.wildlifevictoria.org.au/products/adopt-a-wildbuddy

📸 by

We're hiring Emergency Response Operators for our 24/7 Emergency Response Service!

The Wildlife Victoria ERS provides a crucial point of contact for the community to report sick, injured or orphaned native wildlife in need of rescue, care or veterinary treatment.

This is a casual, shift-based role with varying hours between 6am and 9pm, Monday to Sunday. To be successful you will have demonstrated passion for and/or experience with animals/wildlife, excellent communication skills, and customer service experience.

Whether you are starting your career, currently studying, working or winding down, what is most important to us is that you are passionate about Australia’s wildlife and want to make a difference.

For more information on this position and to apply, please head to wildlifevictoria.org.au/about/employment

The overhaul of Victoria's Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act (PoCTA) has been indefinitely postponed with the Victorian Government citing reduced sitting days ahead of the November state election as the reason for delay.

PoCTA is over 35 years old and is one of the oldest pieces of animal welfare legislation in the country. A 2019 Parliamentary Inquiry recognised the need for a dramatic overhaul of the law with stronger protection for all animals needed. In 2024 a draft bill recognised animals as sentient - acknowledging that animals can feel pain, distress, and emotion.

We are deeply disappointed in the government's decision for delay. Our Emergency Response Service receives an alarming number of reports of alleged cruelty to native wildlife. These cases are deeply distressing to both our staff and our amazing volunteers who respond.

All animals deserve a life without pain and stronger legal laws would help to deter offenders. We call on the government to reconsider their decision and to introduce the bill as a matter of priority.

You can help by reaching out to your local state member and sharing your concern.

Illegal netting is dangerous for all wildlife, including our fierce birds of prey!

After discovering this entangled goshawk in the netting above their chicken area, the concerned homeowner called our 24/7 Emergency Response Service for help. We reached out to the raptor-trained volunteers in the area and rescuer George was available to attend.

The goshawk had gotten a foot stuck in the netting and, in an attempt to escape, tangled the netting more tightly around their leg and foot. George was able to free the bird from the netting with little to no damage. He transported the goshawk to carer Nalini where he stayed for a few days of R&R.

Given a clear bill of health, George was able to release the goshawk back to his habitat, happy and healthy.

Unsure if your netting is wildlife safe or not?
Check out the link for more information: https://bit.ly/4rJPNHL

Did you know joeys can survive for days in their mother's pouch after they pass?

This joey was found after one of our rescuers, Teagan, spotted her deceased mother still in the road after being hit by a car. Teagan spotted a small foot sticking out of the pouch and immediately performed a pouch check. She found this beautiful, healthy joey inside and bundled him up in a warm make-shift pouch.

Teagan then moved the mother's body off the road and marked her to indicate she had been pouch checked. Teagan found a local wildlife carer, Helen, to take the joey in for rehabilitation at her shelter.

Checking pouches saves lives.

If you see a deceased kangaroo (or any native wildlife with a pouch) on the side of the road and are unsure how to perform a pouch check, you can call our 24/7 Emergency Response Service to walk you through the process: 03 8400 7300

It's International Day of Forests! 🌳🌳🌳

Victoria's forests breathe life into the land, providing shelter, food and safety for many of our native species. They provide clean air and water for us to breathe and drink, prevent the severity of floods and improve our well-being. Forests are a life force we cannot afford to lose.

Many of our native species, especially those already threatened, require hollow-bearing trees. However, deforestation, logging, firewood collection, and the impacts of climate change (i.e. extreme bushfires) are not only destroying large areas of forest and habitat but are also preventing trees from aging in order to bear hollows.

So what can you do?
🌳 Source "forest-free" materials such as office paper, timber, etc.
🌳 Read up about forests, knowledge is power!
🌳 Sign petitions to show your support for ending deforestation and calling for better regulations.

First spotted struggling on the ground, this injured grey-headed flying fox and her pup were in desperate need of rescue.

After calling our Emergency Response Service, the member of public watched as she pulled herself up onto the handle of their trailer, unable to fly. We deployed bat rescuer Pamela who was available to attend.

On arrival, Pamela could see the mother flying fox was visibly injured and severely dehydrated, while the pup looked luckily, unharmed.

Now in care, these two are progressing well and will be released back into the wild soon!

***Reminder: Please do not touch sick, injured or orphaned bats! You can call our 24/7 Emergency Response Service on 03 8400 7300 so we can find a bat-trained and vaccinated rescuer to attend.

Wetlands across Victoria will once again ring out with gunfire as the state’s duck hunting season begins today.

Despite a 2023 Parliamentary Inquiry into Native Bird Hunting recommending a complete ban, the State Government ultimately allowed the practice to continue.

The Inquiry received the highest number of submissions in Victorian parliamentary history, with the overwhelming majority calling for an end to duck hunting.

Unfortunately, the Victorian government chose not to adopt the Inquiry’s recommendation, despite Western Australia, New South Wales, and Queensland banning the practice more than 20 years ago.

We will continue to advocate for this cruel and unnecessary practice to end and for wildlife policy to reflect both community expectations and the growing pressures facing our native species.

What can you do?
Send a letter to your local member urging them to end duck shooting and make your voice heard! You can search for your local member through the AEC "find my electorate" page and reach out via email or traditional mail.