Byron Bay Wildlife Hospital

23/10/2026

some kangaroos, such as the red kangaroo, have an incredible biological strategy called "embryonic diapause"- which allows for an embryo's development to be paused in the womb until environmental conditions are optimal?!😲

Kangaroos are the world's largest marsupials, with male red kangaroos reaching an enormous 2m tall and weighing over 90kgs! The three best-known kangaroo species are found only in Australia, and we are truly fortunate to have one of those species in the northern rivers- the eastern grey kangaroo.
Red kangaroos are predominately found in more arid inland regions across Australia, and western grey kangaroos have a range that extends across southern mainland Australia, including WA, SA, Victoria and southwestern NSW.

This World Kangaroo Day 🦘, help us protect our precious kangaroos:
🚗 Slow down and stay alert on roads, particularly between dusk and dawn and on country roads.
👀 Check the pouch- if you find a deceased kangaroo (or any marsupial), and it is safe to pull over, check the pouch for joeys and call your nearest wildlife rescue organisation for immediate assistance.
🐕 Keep pets indoors, on a leash, or in a secured yard at all times. Do not allow pets to free-roam or chase wildlife.
🏥 Seek veterinary assistance for all injured or orphaned wildlife, and do not attempt to treat or hand-raise wildlife. Each species has unique physiological needs which, if not treated correctly and appropriately, can result in severe health and behavioural issues. Hand-raising should only be undertaken after veterinary clearance and by a registered, trained and experienced wildlife carer.
🔨 Installing barbless wire fencing on your property
📝 Talk to your local political members about what ethical management laws are in place for native wildlife in your region, encouraging and ensuring the welfare of wildlife is prioritised.

23/10/2026

That tail wiggle 🥹

Do you know what a baby swan is called?
A cygnet!

After a member of the public noticed this little cygnet having some trouble standing, they did the right thing and called Tweed Valley Wildlife Carers for assistance. One of their wonderful registered, trained wildlife rescuers was able to safely contain and transport the cygnet to Byron Bay Wildlife Hospital for assessment.🏥

Our veterinary team performed a full health assessment, including a physical examination, x-rays 🩻and blood tests. Fortunately, all results showed the cygnet was in excellent health, so after 24hrs in hospital for monitoring and fluid therapy, the cygnet was reunited with its mum in the wild. It will be monitored to ensure it continues to grow big and strong with its family.💚

💡Please avoid feeding wild birds, as it can severely affect their health and behaviour. Wild birds that are fed by humans can become less cautious, resulting in increased aggression, dangerous interactions with people and pets, and higher risks of vehicle strikes. They can also become imprinted, resulting in behavioural issues that affect feeding and breeding. Incorrect diets can lead to serious health conditions such as metabolic bone disease and "angel wing", both of which are devastating health conditions.

22/10/2026

Spring brings new life to the Northern Rivers, but for wildlife it also brings challenges. Young animals lose their nests or parents. Reptiles become more active. Everyday journeys across roads and through backyards can end in serious injury.

At Byron Bay Wildlife Hospital, the change of season was reflected in a growing demand for care. Across August and September 2026, 439 animals were admitted, each with their own story and need for help.

📲Read more- https://www.byronbaywildlifehospital.org/news/a-season-of-care-439-wildlife-patients-in-two-months

Spring brings new life to the Northern Rivers, but for wildlife it also brings challenges. Young animals lose their nests or parents. Reptiles become more active. Everyday journeys across roads and through backyards can end in serious injury.

21/10/2026

To our wonderful wildlife rescuers and carer, and Northern Rivers community,

Please note that Ross Lane is now closed until December 18th.

Please see recommended alternative routes in the image below, courtesy of Ballina Shire Council (use reverse of directions to reach Lennox Head).

Should you have any issues getting to our hospital headquarters, please call us on 1300 945 354 for advice.

21/10/2026

Leave some 💚 for our amazing reptiles this World Reptile Day!

Save this reel for future encounters with wild reptiles

5 ways you can protect and appreciate Australia’s precious reptiles:
🐍 Give them space as they move through an area
🦎 Do no harm and respect their right to exist
🐢 Be a responsible pet owner and keep pets away from wildlife
🐊Keep properties clear of clutter if you wish to discourage reptiles inhabiting the area
💚 Make your yard wildlife-friendly to provide safe reptile habitat

💡Contrary to popular myth, reptiles are complex, sensitive, intelligent animals who feel pain, fear, and excitement just like us.

Snakes, lizards, crocodiles and turtles are vital to the health of the ecosystems they inhabit, and are legally protected under Australian law.
📲If you find injured or unwell reptiles, please do not put yourself at risk to perform a rescue, as injured and unwell wildlife can become defensive and bite or scratch to protect themselves. Call your local wildlife rescue organisation for assistance.

20/10/2026

Behind every recovery and every release, there’s a volunteer.

Our incredible volunteers are the heartbeat of Byron Bay Wildlife Hospital. From welcoming people at reception and caring for patients in the hospital, to helping at our Raptor Centre, driving our wildlife ambulance, keeping things running with maintenance and representing us at community events, they make everything we do possible.

None of it happens without them.

Want to be part of something special? We’re looking for kind, reliable people to join our volunteer team.
No experience needed, just a big heart for wildlife.

👉 Apply now: https://ap1.hubs.ly/H01rWDD0

19/10/2026

What could be more special than incredible musicians coming together for a cause they believe in? Giving their time, sharing their talent and inviting their audiences to be part of something that reaches beyond the stage.

That spirit is at the heart of Wild Aid 2026, coming to the Arts Factory Byron Bay on Saturday 7 November.

While Kate Miller-Heidke and Sarah McLeod headline this year’s event, they’re joined by a remarkable lineup of independent voices, local favourites and emerging talent. Every artist is generously donating their time to support Wildlife Recovery Australia and its work caring for and protecting native wildlife.

For music lovers, it’s an opportunity to see extraordinary performers, discover a new favourite and get behind a community showing up for wildlife.

What could be more special than incredible musicians coming together for a cause they believe in? Giving their time, sharing their talent and inviting their audiences to be part of something that reaches beyond the stage. That spirit is at the heart of Wild Aid 2026 , coming to the Arts Factory B

19/10/2026

What’s your favourite animal species?🐌

Here’s 5 ways you can help to protect wild animals this World Animal Day:
🌱Make your garden a native ecosystem, with native plants, safe and accessible water sources, shade and leaf litter.
🚗 Slow down and stay alert on roads, particularly during spring and summer, and from dusk to dawn.
🤲 Support ethical tourism that minimises impact on wildlife and native ecosystems, and avoids hands-on contact with wildlife.
♻️ Reduce, reuse, recycle; and pick up rubbish wherever you go.
💚 Support wildlife hospitals, rescue and rehabilitation organisations and conservation efforts to protect wildlife.

18/10/2026

We built it, and they came!

We are thrilled to share some exciting news from our Farms for Wildlife pilot project- barn owls have moved in!🦉

Thanks to the generosity and support of a local landowner, and alongside our project partners Wildbnb Wildlife Habitat, our team were recently able to install nesting boxes and perches on a property in Nashua to encourage native raptor inhabitation. Within weeks of set-up, our camera traps 📸captured images of several barn owls utilising the perches as vantage points to hunt for rodents- exactly as we'd hoped they would!

We will continue to monitor the raptors on our pilot project property, and collect valuable data regarding their impacts on invasive rodent populations. The presence and activity of these beautiful owls so early into our project gives us such hope for future projects across the region. 🥰

💚If you would like to support our Farms for Wildlife program, please consider donating to help us purchase vital equipment such as camera traps, nesting boxes and perches: https://ap1.hubs.ly/H01rGjH0

14/10/2026

🎸 Big voices. One wild cause. We need YOU there.

Kate Miller-Heidke. Sarah McLeod. An incredible line-up of artists coming together for Wild Aid 2026 — and a night that can make a difference for Australian wildlife.

Every ticket helps Wildlife Recovery Australia deliver vital veterinary care, rehabilitation and advocacy for wildlife that desperately needs our help. 🐨🤎

But we can’t do it without a crowd.

Proudly supported by our event partners and sponsored by and .byronbay 🐦

If you’ve been meaning to book, make today the day. Rally your mates, lock in your night out and help turn a brilliant night of live music into lasting support for wildlife.

📍 Arts Factory, Byron Bay
📅 Saturday 7 November 2026

🎟️ Buy your tickets now > https://tickets.oztix.com.au/outlet/event/2f4ac078-2ba3-4f1b-af28-d67fa2d23d02?accessCode=gowildlife

Already coming? Tag three friends who should be there with you and share this post. Let’s fill the place — for the wildlife.