Kangaroo Island Wildlife Network

15/07/2026

Another incredible act of generosity from a KIWN member, who has donated part of their Kangaroo Island property as a much-needed release site for orphaned, hand-raised kangaroo joeys 🦘

Did you know hand-raised kangaroos generally can’t be released back into the wild? They rely on safe release properties like this to live out their lives.

These sites are vital to our rescue and rehabilitation efforts. If you’d like to help us continue giving orphaned joeys a second chance, please consider donating to KIWN. Every donation helps us maintain these safe havens for our native wildlife - link in our bio 🧡

25/06/2026

🦆 Important Update: Avian Influenza (H5N1 Bird Flu) Response Protocols 🦢

With the confirmed case of H5N1 bird flu in South Australia, the Kangaroo Island Wildlife Network has implemented precautionary response protocols to help protect our volunteers, community, and wildlife.

If you encounter sick, injured, or deceased birds, please be aware of the following:

• KIWN will not respond to reports of sick waterbirds where avian influenza may be a factor, unless entanglement or another obvious injury is clearly the issue. In these cases, additional precautions and appropriate PPE will be used by responders.

• KIWN will not respond to reports of clusters of deceased birds of any species.

• If you observe sick birds or multiple deceased birds, please:

Contact the official Emergency Animal Disease Hotline 📞 1800 675 888

• Take photographs or video where it is safe to do so.
Record the location as accurately as possible to assist authorities.

• KIWN will continue to record reports and advice provided to callers to assist with monitoring and data collection.

H5N1 bird flu requires specialised biosecurity procedures, training, and protective equipment. For this reason, investigations and responses to suspected cases must be managed through the appropriate government agencies.

We appreciate the community’s understanding and cooperation as we work together to protect Kangaroo Island’s wildlife and the people who care for it 🧡

22/06/2026

28/05/2026

Two team members from KIWN were recently called to assist with a wildlife search and rescue operation after a controlled burn escaped into surrounding native scrub 🔥

Susan and Katie spent two days assessing wildlife throughout the burnt area, where they were able to assist several injured animals while also finding plenty of healthy echidnas, goannas, kangaroos, wallabies and koalas within the landscape 🦘 🦎

Recently, the KIWN team completed Black Walk training through , which proved invaluable during this response - “We felt confident walking through the recent burn area identifying hazards while conducting our grid search” shared Katie, President of the Network.

To ensure we can continue supporting the native wildlife during such uncertain times, please consider making a tax deductable donation through the link in comments 🫶🏼

21/05/2026

Another silent victim of rodent poison on Kangaroo Island 😔

A Southern Boobook owl. A native predator that should have been out hunting through the night, instead died because of a poison never meant for it.

‼️ Rat and mouse baits don’t just kill rats and mice ‼️

When poisoned rodents become easy prey, the toxins move up the food chain and can kill owls, kestrels, goannas, possums,❗️🐕 even your pets can suffer from secondary poisoning - often slowly and painfully.

If rodent control is necessary:

• Avoid second-generation anticoagulant baits where possible

• Use traps before poison

• Secure bait stations properly

• Never leave poisoned rodents accessible to wildlife

• Consider wildlife-safe alternatives

Please think beyond the target. The bait you put out tonight may be what kills tomorrow’s wildlife 🦉

30/04/2026

Pictured is the first step to restoring a former blue gum plantation back to native vegetation and securing the future of one of Australia’s most iconic and threatened species 🐨

The .sanctuary invited members of the local community to join them for a hands-on conservation day at their new Sanctuary on Kangaroo Island. The aim, to remove invasive wildlings as part of a broader restoration effort 🌱

As a wonderful opportunity to connect with like-minded people and contribute directly to habitat restoration, our President, Katie and KIWN member, Brooke, went out to show their support and do their part for the local conservation initiative.

Keep an eye out for follow-up community planting days to come and get involved! 👀

15/04/2026

This little girl, known as a “pinky” for her lack of fur, was the first joey in care for the season with our carer Susan.

Sadly, she passed away, believed to have developed a bacterial infection, likely caused by remaining in her mother’s pouch for too long after her death 😔

If you hit an animal on KI, or see one dead on the road, please pull over safely (completely off the road) to check it isn’t alive and move it away. It’s important to also check the pouch of any deceased marsupial for joeys - remember for those like pinky here, every minute counts 🦘🐨

If the animal is injured or orphaned, or you drive past one that is, please call us for assistance

📞 1300 KIWILD (1300 549 453)

08/04/2026