Sick, injured, young or abandoned wildlife

You normally cannot buy, sell, dispose of, consign, convey or transport:

eggs from wildlife
any wildlife that cannot feed itself
any wildlife that is obviously diseased or injured
any bird that is too young to fly or, in the case of a flightless bird, one that is less than four weeks old
mammals that are not fully weaned unless they are transported with their mother
any tortoise or turtle with a carapace length of less than 100 millimetres.

A breach of these provisions carries a penalty of 20 penalty units.

However, the above prohibitions do not apply if you:

possess sick, injured or abandoned wildlife only temporarily and you are transporting them to a registered veterinarian
hold a wildlife shelter permit
hold a Wildlife Producer Licence Type 3 and are buying, selling, disposing of, consigning, conveying or transporting emu eggs
are buying, selling, disposing of, consigning, conveying or transporting eggs of any wildlife listed in part A of schedule 6
are buying, selling, disposing of, consigning, conveying or transporting unweaned wildlife and their mothers of any wildlife listed in part C of schedule 6.

Codes of Practice relating to wildlife rehabilitation

A Code of practice for the welfare of wildlife during rehabilitation has been produced by the Bureau of Animal Welfare and is available from the DPI’s website at www.dpi.vic.gov.au. This code is incorporated under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act.

Wildlife Carer Organisations

If you come across sick, injured or abandoned wildlife there are a number of organisation who may be able to assist, including:

Wildlife Victoria Ph: 24 hour emergency number 13 000 94535, website: www.wildlifevictoria.org.au

Wildlife Rescue (WRIN - for Central Victoria) Ph: 13 000 94 536

Help for Wildlife Ph: 0417 380 687 website www.helpforwildlife.com

Local wildlife shelters (which also must be licensed by DSE) operate around Victoria to take in injured or orphaned wildlife.

The RACV operates an advisory service which will tell you the location of the nearest wildlife shelter to where you are - call 131111. Veterinary clinics, RSPCA offices and the DSE will also be able to advise on Wildlife Shelter locations.