Wildcare

15/10/2026

The highly anticipated Snake Rescue Course is now open to registrations. 💚🐍

The Snake Rescue Course focuses on the skills you will need to better understand snakes and basic skills to safely rescue snakes.

You will learn about snake identification, first aid, snake handling techniques, and methods to reduce snake interaction around the home and develop an appreciation and understanding of snake behaviour.

Be quick - these courses fill up fast! 🐍

Head to our website and click on the date that suits you. 👇
https://www.wildcare.com.au/get-involved/upcoming-events

12/10/2026

At times, we aren't always able to give the happy ending of rescuing and rehabilitating sick or injured native animals, it's times like these the kindest thing to do is humanely end the animal's suffering. ❤️‍🩹🪽

Wildcare’s euthanasia-by-firearm course is primarily for qualifying members to legally, safely and humanely relieve the suffering of severely injured or fatally sick macropods and wombats. The course also includes a refresher module to update and re-qualify members nearing the end of their two-year authority-to-operate for native-wildlife euthanasia.

Head to our website to find out more and register - bit.ly/EBFNov26

10/10/2026

⚠️ Content warning: distressing images.

Snakes. Love them or fear them, they're a key part of our Australian ecosystem and, rightfully so, are a protected species. It is illegal to capture, injure, disturb, or kill a native snake - with fines up to $330,000, 2 years imprisonment, or both.

Unfortunately too often our snake handlers are called to rescues where the damage has already been done. People take matters into their own hands, not realising the serious, damaging effects they have caused.

This was the case for this precious eastern brown snake, who was found in netting. Tangled, trapped and afraid, they were killed and then thrown in the bin before the resident called our helpline to remove the snake.

No matter how you feel about snakes - nothing deserves this kind of treatment.

Our snake handlers are experienced, skilled and confident to safely engage with venomous snakes like this eastern brown snake. These incredible and passionate volunteers put the safety of themselves and the welfare of the snake first, always.

Snakes are a vital part of our Australian environment. These incredible reptiles:
🐍 Keep rodent populations in check
🐍 Reduce the spread of ticks and parasites
🐍 Maintain healthy wetlands and grasslands
🐍 Help regenerate native vegetation through secondary seed dispersal
🐍 PLUS Snake venom is used in a number of life-saving medicines!

Most snake bites happen when people try to interact with them. If you see one, give them space and if you need assistance please call our 24/7 Wildcare Helpline on 6299 1966.

As we move into Summer, it's important to respect their space and remember - healthy snake populations mean balanced, thriving environments.

24/7 Wildcare Helpline - 6299 1966
Donations - wildcare.com.au/donate

07/10/2026

The rain over the weekend has meant turtle rescues are well and truly in full swing - but recently Wildcare volunteers embarked on a different kind of turtle rescue.

Female eastern long-necked turtles lay between 8-12 eggs around the start of Summer, buried in the embankment of a water body or within a few hundred meters. The eggs will incubate anywhere from 3-10 months depending on weather conditions. Once hatched the young turtles will make their own way into a water body.

But sometimes those water bodies dry up, leaving the hatchlings buried in dry land and making it difficult for them to come to the surface.

When a concerned resident in Hoskinstown spotted a turtle laying eggs near their home last November, they contacted Wildcare for advice. With advice from the Wildcare Reptile Coordinator, they barricaded the area so the turtles would be safe from predators.

Months came and went with no movement in the nest, and by September there was still no sign of the hatchlings...

This is when Wildcare volunteers rolled up their sleeves (literally) and got stuck into the hard dirt to gently excavate the turtles.

Ten tiny turtles (and one slug - non-fertile egg) were retrieved and assessed for any injuries. All ten turtles were healthy and well, and were taken to the nearby dam and released that day.

Turtles are truly remarkable animals - they are important indicators of healthy biodiversity and help regenerate and sustain ecosystems. Plus they keep our dams clean from algae and some turtles can live over 100 years old!

It's really important we protect our local turtles by:
- Slowing down in wet weather and watch for turtles crossing
- Keeping waterways clean by correctly disposing of fishing line and rubbish
- Recording sightings through citizen science apps like TurtleSAT

If you need help with a sick or injured turtle, please call our 24/7 Wildcare Helpline on 6299 1966.

To help our volunteers continue to rescue native animals, like these ten tiny turtles, donate now at wildcare.com.au/donate

01/10/2026

Our Wildcare community is saddened to learn of the passing of Jane Faulder, who was involved in a fatal motor vehicle accident last Friday afternoon while assisting an injured kangaroo on the Monaro Highway near Bredbo, where she lived.

Jane was a much loved voice for animals, and involved heavily in the Queanbeyan and Canberra community.

Our thoughts are with her friends, family, and all those affected by the loss of such a kind, caring and compassionate member of our local community. 🌿

24/09/2026

Wildcare would like to say a very big thank you to the team at Jaybro!! 👏

Jaybro has kindly assisted us with PPE to protect our volunteers on the field with the growing spread of avian influenza. We are so grateful that in stressful times like these, local businesses like Jaybro step up to support native wildlife and those who care for them.

Wildcare volunteer rescuers continue to rescue sick, injured and orphaned native birds, with increased precautions around handling and transport.

Symptoms of the flu in birds may include:
▪️ Seizures or tremors
▪️ Lack of coordination
▪️ Abnormal posture, eg head tilt or twisted neck
▪️ Swelling of head, neck, eyes
▪️ Difficulty breathing
▪️ Inability to stand or fly
▪️ Swimming in circles

If you find a bird displaying the above symptoms, you are welcome to call the 24/7 Wildcare Helpline on 6299 1966 for advice and assistance.

If you spot multiple sick or dead birds or other animals, you should report it to the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline on 1800 675 888 as soon as possible.
‼️ Avoid contact
‼️ Record what you see
‼️ Report

If you'd like to support our vital work for wildlife, head to our website to donate wildcare.com.au/donate

23/09/2026

An unusual rescue operation unfolded when Wildcare was called to a wombat rescue near the corner of Thompsitt Drive and Lanyon Drive earlier today.

When Wildcare rescue volunteer, Vice President Christian, arrived to attend to a severely injured wombat, it retreated into a stormwater pipe, with a nearby grazing wombat running into the pipe right ahead of it!

Sadly, the injured wombat passed away inside the pipe, blocking the exit and trapping the second wombat roughly 3 metres in.

Thanks to quick assistance from Fire and Rescue NSW Station 428 Queanbeyan, they were able to clear the blockage using a specialised tool, freeing the trapped wombat.

But it doesn't end there - the freed wombat was identified as having mange, so wombat mange treatment volunteer, Caroline, immediately set up a treatment device at the pipe entrance so the wombat can receive necessary treatment as soon as it emerges.

A huge thank you to Fire and Rescue NSW for their fast response and incredible team effort in helping our local wildlife!

If you'd like to support the crucial work that we do at Wildcare, please consider a donation to our public trust. Head to wildcare.com.au/donate

21/09/2026

20/09/2026

‼️ Important
Our helpline system will be transitioning to a new system this morning.

There may be a brief disruption between 9:30am and 10:30am for a short period of time.

If you need assistance with wildlife and are unable to reach us during this time, please stay with the animal and - if safe to do so - contain the animal and keep them warm, in a dark and quiet space and attempt calling again in a few minutes.

24/7 Wildcare Helpline 6299 1966

18/09/2026

UPDATE: Thank you to everyone who donated! We have a great supply now being made into joey bags and pouches. If you have bedding or blankets (or towels) to donate, please check with your local vet or animal shelter.

If you're Spring cleaning and find you have an excess of flannelette fabric, or flannelette bedding that you're looking to toss - we'd like to hear from you!

Our sewers are after flannelette fabric to make joey bags and liners for macropods in care.

If you have some fabric to spare, get in touch through our page for drop off locations.