Rescue, Rehabilitate, Release
Caring for native wildlife in ACT
Photograph by Peter Hammond
Latest news
Container Deposit Scheme
We are now set up with the ACT Container Deposit Scheme. To donate to ACT Wildlife you need to use the drop off code E012893 and our phone number is 0432 300 033.
There are more details on this page: https://actcds.com.au/how-to-participate/
To donate to a charity – You can return eligible drink containers to three different types of return points: Drop & Go Point, Drop & Go Pod and Cash-back Depot. There are a number of return points located across the ACT – there is one near you!
Wombat Garden Art
If you love wombats and your garden, here is a great idea to combine both. 10% of your purchase will be donated to ACT Wildlife when you use the code.
Petition for Bunnings to remove rat poison
Birdlife Australia has created a petition to request Bunnings stores to remove rat and mice poisons from their stores.
Many of our native animals and birds of prey are dying due to eating rats or mice that have ingested poison and they are then dying. Read more about the dangers of poisons sold through Bunnings on the Birdlife Australia website https://www.actforbirds.org/ratpoison
Their petition can be found here and by signing, you can help protect our beautiful but vulnerable wildlife.
About Us
We are the only wildlife care group in the ACT that rescues, rehabilitates and releases native animals. As a not-for-profit and charity we rely on donations to support the work of our volunteers.
Get Involved
Volunteers are our backbone. We welcome you to help in all aspects of rescue and care of the common species in the ACT including behind the scenes work. Training is provided.
Found an Animal?
Call our 24/7 Hotline
0432 300 033
Gently place the animal in a box with a towel or cloth and keep it warm and quiet. If you are unable to contain the animal, please stay near it and call our hotline with directions for rescue.
Important points:
Baby birds come out of their nests and cannot fly well for a few days. They are attended to by their parents during this time. Please watch from a distance and if you do not see parents then they may need to be rescued. This is usually not necessary. Call if you want to report an ‘abandoned’ magpie or bird – 0432 300 033
You can love your cat and wildlife too. Under the ACT government’s plan, all new cats obtained by owners after July 1, 2022 will have to be contained, regardless of which suburb they live in.
Birds, especially magpies are abundant in the ACT. They frequent places where people eat and because people feed them they begin to rely on this (inappropriate) food and demand it.
With fruit ripening on trees inappropriate netting traps birds and flying foxes. Netting should have holes that you cannot put your little finger through and be stretched on a frame away from the branches. This means that birds and flying foxes can land and take off from the netting. Otherwise they get hopelessly caught up in loose, sloppy nets. Protecting Wildlife Netting Brochure: Flying foxes should not be touched because of the danger of Lyssavirus, a fatal disease unless you are vaccinated. If you should be bitten or scratched you should attend the hospital emergency clinic immediately and leave rescue of the animal to vaccinated carers with ACT Wildlife.
See below for the importance of bats to our environment.
Meet Buddy
Buddy is a Southern Boobook who was found by a member of the public with an eye injury and was being attacked by magpies. He was taken to carer Sara who treated him with eyedrops.
As you can see, the treatment was successful and his eyes are now wide and beautiful. Buddy is now free to go.
Treating our wildlife is rewarding so if you would like to become a carer with us find out more here.
If you would like to donate to help us care for our wildlife find out more here.
2022 Calendar now on sale!
See all our gorgeous ‘pinups’ for 2022 and read their stories. Calendars only $12.50.
The ACT Wildlife website is under transition.