01/09/2026
๐๐ ๐ฃ๐ข๐ฅ๐ง๐๐ก๐ง! ๐ช๐ต๐ฎ๐ ๐๐ต๐ผ๐๐น๐ฑ ๐๐ผ๐ ๐ฑ๐ผ ๐ถ๐ณ ๐๐ผ๐ ๐ต๐ถ๐ - ๐ผ๐ฟ ๐ณ๐ถ๐ป๐ฑ - ๐ฎ๐ป ๐ถ๐ป๐ท๐๐ฟ๐ฒ๐ฑ ๐ฎ๐ป๐ถ๐บ๐ฎ๐น ๐ถ๐ป ๐๐ต๐ฒ ๐ฆ๐ป๐ผ๐๐ ๐ ๐ผ๐๐ป๐๐ฎ๐ถ๐ป๐? ๐๐ฆ๐ฆ๐ฆ๐ฆ ๐
There is sometimes confusion about who to contact when an animal is injured on or beside the road, particularly when the animal is a non-native species such as a deer ๐ฆ
๐จ ๐ง๐ต๐ฒ ๐บ๐ผ๐๐ ๐ถ๐บ๐ฝ๐ผ๐ฟ๐๐ฎ๐ป๐ ๐บ๐ฒ๐๐๐ฎ๐ด๐ฒ ๐ถ๐: please call LAOKO first on ๐ฒ๐ฐ๐ฑ๐ฒ ๐ญ๐ฏ๐ญ๐ฏ ๐คณ
LAOKOโs wildlife rescue and rehabilitation activities principally concern native wildlife. However, this does not mean LAOKO will leave a severely injured non-native animal to suffer.
LAOKO has appropriately licensed and trained euthanasers who may respond to both native and non-native animals where humane euthanasia is lawful and necessary. This includes deer and other introduced species. LAOKO can assess the circumstances and arrange an appropriate response or referral.
LAOKO has a network of trained wildlife rescuers and authorised euthanasers across the Snowy Mountains. Where an injured animal cannot be rescued, treated or rehabilitated, a euthanaser may be dispatched to end its suffering as quickly and humanely as possible.
๐๐๐ข๐๐ข ๐ฒ๐๐๐ต๐ฎ๐ป๐ฎ๐๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ ๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ฒ:
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specifically trained in the humane euthanasia of different species;
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trained to assess the animal, traffic, terrain, surroundings and other safety risks;
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experienced and competent fi***rm users;
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appropriately licensed; and
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equipped to select the appropriate method, fi***rm and am******on for the particular animal and circumstances.
This is specialist animal-welfare work. Police may also assist when necessary, particularly where there is an immediate danger to motorists or the public. However, police equipment and operational training are primarily intended for policing rather than animal euthanasia. Any discharge of a police fi***rm also creates significant safety, reporting and accountability requirements and may divert officers from other urgent duties.
For these reasons, where there is no immediate threat to human safety, LAOKO should generally be contacted first and the police used as a backup if LAOKO cannot be reached or cannot respond.
๐๐ณ ๐๐ผ๐ ๐ต๐ถ๐ ๐ผ๐ฟ ๐ณ๐ถ๐ป๐ฑ ๐ฎ๐ป ๐ถ๐ป๐ท๐๐ฟ๐ฒ๐ฑ ๐ฎ๐ป๐ถ๐บ๐ฎ๐น:
๐ธ Protect yourself first. Pull over only where it is safe and do not stand in a traffic lane.
๐ธ Turn on your hazard lights and warn other motorists if you can do so safely.
๐ธ Do not chase, approach or attempt to restrain a large or mobile animal. An injured animal can be frightened, unpredictable and dangerous.
๐ธ Record the precise location, direction of travel, nearby landmarks and the animalโs condition.
๐ธ Call LAOKO on (02) 6456 1313 and remain available to provide directions or updates.
๐ธ If LAOKO cannot be reached, contact the police as the backup response.
๐ธ If the animal or incident presents an immediate danger to people or traffic, call 000.
๐ธ If a native animal has died and it is safe to observe it from a distance, please also tell LAOKO whether it may be female. There may be pouch young or dependent young nearby.
LAOKO is a volunteer organisation, so there may occasionally be a delay in answering the telephone or finding an available responder. Nevertheless, calling LAOKO first gives the animal the best opportunity to receive assistance from someone specifically trained, licensed and equipped for wildlife rescue or humane euthanasia.
Most importantly, please do not leave an injured animal suffering without reporting it. One telephone call can make an enormous difference.
