CARING FOR NATIVE ANIMALS AND THE ENVIRONMENT
![Picture](/uploads/9/5/3/5/9535156/published/common-ringtail-possum-deep-etch.jpg?1486532379)
Injured native animals are cared for and re-homed by two volunteer organizations, Sydney Metropolitan Wildlife Services Inc (Sydney Wildlife) and WIRES. These organizations are licensed by NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service and are registered charities. They are operated entirely by volunteers and offer a 24 hours,
7 days rescue and advice service.
Sydney Wildlife: ......................... 9413 4300
WIRES: ..................................... 13 000 WIRES (1300 094 737)
Taronga Zoo Wildlife Hospital: ..... 9969 2777
If You Find an Injured Native Animal:
Injured animals are very susceptible to stress, so they have to be handled carefully. To reduce the animal’s stress as much as possible, please follow these simple steps: (DO NOT put yourself in any danger while following these steps)
• Check for any danger – to yourself, others and the animal. If you are driving, pull over safely to the side of the road. Approach the animal cautiously, especially if it is a reptile. An injured animal is scared and in pain and may react by attempting to bite or injure you. If it is alive try to divert the traffic around it.
• If the animal is dead, try to drag it as far off the road as possible. Check the pouch of a wallaby, possum or kangaroo in case there is a baby still alive in the pouch.
• Note the exact location the animal was found – most animals are territorial and must be released back at the rescue site.
• Place the animal in a dark container such as a cardboard box with ventilation holes and towels on the bottom.
• Orphan marsupials (pouch young) such as kangaroos, wallabies and possums should be placed in a pillow case or clean sock and placed inside your clothing to provide warmth.
Keep the animal quiet and undisturbed.
Call one of the wildlife carers listed. You can alternatively take the animal to your nearest vet (there will be no charge). It is illegal to keep native animals taken from the wild – they must be passed on to an authorised, licensed wildlife carer.
In spring, WIRES, the NSW Wildlife Information Rescue and Education Service, receive many calls regarding ringtail possums.
Possums breed all year round but are especially prolific in spring.
Members of the public call WIRES about dead ringtail possums which have been hit by cars or attacked by cats and dogs but which have live joeys.
“We are receiving calls from helpful people who have found a live joey in a pouch or on the ground nearby. What we would like to ask is that people have a close look for a second joey as ringtails nearly always have twins. A juvenile ringtail has no chance of survival without its mother so we are asking people to be vigilant and remember if they find one joey, there is likely to be a second one nearby,”
Reference: WIRES
If you find any of the following DO NOT handle or attempt to rescue it. Get assistance from one of the organizations listed.
Flying Fox
Bat
Snake
Do not apply bandages in an attempt to stop bleeding (in most cases this will stop on its own).
Do not feed the animal or offer water as native animals have very specialised diets, and feeding an animal suffering from shock could be fatal. Seek advice from the Taronga Wildlife Hospital or wildlife carer if there will be a delay in getting the animal to a vet or carer.
Do not handle the animal more than necessary, or pat or talk to the animal.
Keep the animal away from children, domestic pets and loud noises.
7 days rescue and advice service.
Sydney Wildlife: ......................... 9413 4300
WIRES: ..................................... 13 000 WIRES (1300 094 737)
Taronga Zoo Wildlife Hospital: ..... 9969 2777
If You Find an Injured Native Animal:
Injured animals are very susceptible to stress, so they have to be handled carefully. To reduce the animal’s stress as much as possible, please follow these simple steps: (DO NOT put yourself in any danger while following these steps)
• Check for any danger – to yourself, others and the animal. If you are driving, pull over safely to the side of the road. Approach the animal cautiously, especially if it is a reptile. An injured animal is scared and in pain and may react by attempting to bite or injure you. If it is alive try to divert the traffic around it.
• If the animal is dead, try to drag it as far off the road as possible. Check the pouch of a wallaby, possum or kangaroo in case there is a baby still alive in the pouch.
• Note the exact location the animal was found – most animals are territorial and must be released back at the rescue site.
• Place the animal in a dark container such as a cardboard box with ventilation holes and towels on the bottom.
• Orphan marsupials (pouch young) such as kangaroos, wallabies and possums should be placed in a pillow case or clean sock and placed inside your clothing to provide warmth.
Keep the animal quiet and undisturbed.
Call one of the wildlife carers listed. You can alternatively take the animal to your nearest vet (there will be no charge). It is illegal to keep native animals taken from the wild – they must be passed on to an authorised, licensed wildlife carer.
In spring, WIRES, the NSW Wildlife Information Rescue and Education Service, receive many calls regarding ringtail possums.
Possums breed all year round but are especially prolific in spring.
Members of the public call WIRES about dead ringtail possums which have been hit by cars or attacked by cats and dogs but which have live joeys.
“We are receiving calls from helpful people who have found a live joey in a pouch or on the ground nearby. What we would like to ask is that people have a close look for a second joey as ringtails nearly always have twins. A juvenile ringtail has no chance of survival without its mother so we are asking people to be vigilant and remember if they find one joey, there is likely to be a second one nearby,”
Reference: WIRES
If you find any of the following DO NOT handle or attempt to rescue it. Get assistance from one of the organizations listed.
Flying Fox
Bat
Snake
Do not apply bandages in an attempt to stop bleeding (in most cases this will stop on its own).
Do not feed the animal or offer water as native animals have very specialised diets, and feeding an animal suffering from shock could be fatal. Seek advice from the Taronga Wildlife Hospital or wildlife carer if there will be a delay in getting the animal to a vet or carer.
Do not handle the animal more than necessary, or pat or talk to the animal.
Keep the animal away from children, domestic pets and loud noises.
Plant to Provide Nesting Material and Shelter
Birds need many types of foods including insects, reptiles, seeds, nectar, and fruit. Plants should be selected to provide as wide a variety of each of these as possible and over as many seasons as possible.
Artificial food supplements should be avoided as these can cause nutritional imbalances, aid the spread of disease and are more likely to attract introduced rather than native birds. Water can be provided by means of a bird bath placed a safe distance from dense shrub cover and with a high nearby vantage point so that birds can check for predators. Water needs to be replaced regularly and the bath needs to be kept clean to minimise disease transmission between birds. The presence of water in the garden will increase the diversity of birdlife that visits your garden.
Birds also need nesting material and shelter from the weather and predators. Plants that provide nesting material include grasses and stringy barks. Dense foliage plants or those with spiny foliage provide good shelter. Birds also have very different foraging and nesting requirements and the garden needs to be planned so that there is a diversity of shrub and tree heights, as well as leaf litter/mulched areas and areas of mature grasses. To achieve this you need to be conscious of their needs and then set out to provide them. A balanced garden will attract a wide range of other wildlife such as insects, spiders, reptiles, frogs and possibly even mammals. Your garden can resemble the natural bush habitat.
Plants that provide fruit and seeds need to be selected carefully as birds will carry seeds back into the bush where they may germinate and compete with the local native plants. This can be as much of a problem with non-local native plants as with introduced species.
Noisy Miners
The Noisy Miner can be a serious pest. Our habit of clearing bush for housing development, leaving a few trees and then planting hybrid grevilleas creates ideal habitat for the Noisy Miner. Use of shrubs with smaller flowers that provide less nectar and more dense cover make it less worthwhile for the Miners and also more difficult for them to defend territories. If you live within a Noisy Miner colony you need to take this into consideration. It is suggested that you avoid selecting plants attractive to them for at least three years while the rest of the garden becomes established and other birds take up residence.
Birds need many types of foods including insects, reptiles, seeds, nectar, and fruit. Plants should be selected to provide as wide a variety of each of these as possible and over as many seasons as possible.
Artificial food supplements should be avoided as these can cause nutritional imbalances, aid the spread of disease and are more likely to attract introduced rather than native birds. Water can be provided by means of a bird bath placed a safe distance from dense shrub cover and with a high nearby vantage point so that birds can check for predators. Water needs to be replaced regularly and the bath needs to be kept clean to minimise disease transmission between birds. The presence of water in the garden will increase the diversity of birdlife that visits your garden.
Birds also need nesting material and shelter from the weather and predators. Plants that provide nesting material include grasses and stringy barks. Dense foliage plants or those with spiny foliage provide good shelter. Birds also have very different foraging and nesting requirements and the garden needs to be planned so that there is a diversity of shrub and tree heights, as well as leaf litter/mulched areas and areas of mature grasses. To achieve this you need to be conscious of their needs and then set out to provide them. A balanced garden will attract a wide range of other wildlife such as insects, spiders, reptiles, frogs and possibly even mammals. Your garden can resemble the natural bush habitat.
Plants that provide fruit and seeds need to be selected carefully as birds will carry seeds back into the bush where they may germinate and compete with the local native plants. This can be as much of a problem with non-local native plants as with introduced species.
Noisy Miners
The Noisy Miner can be a serious pest. Our habit of clearing bush for housing development, leaving a few trees and then planting hybrid grevilleas creates ideal habitat for the Noisy Miner. Use of shrubs with smaller flowers that provide less nectar and more dense cover make it less worthwhile for the Miners and also more difficult for them to defend territories. If you live within a Noisy Miner colony you need to take this into consideration. It is suggested that you avoid selecting plants attractive to them for at least three years while the rest of the garden becomes established and other birds take up residence.
![Picture](/uploads/9/5/3/5/9535156/editor/kookaburra-nest-box.jpg?1486533004)
Nest Boxes and Native Animals
Many native animals are dependent on tree hollows for bearing and rearing their young. Sugar gliders, owls, parrots, cockatoos and some small bats rely on tree hollows for their survival. Loss of these places to breed means that they are forced to come to ground where they are vulnerable to diseases and predators such as domestic cats.
To help them survive:
• Plant and retain native habitat in your garden, especially those trees which have hollows. Talk to the Council’s bush care officer to find the best trees for your garden.
• If those hollow-bearing trees have to be cut down, keep the hollow branches or stumps in the garden so that animals can use them.
• Install a nest box in your garden.
Findings of NSW Scientific Committee
The Scientific Committee, established by the Threatened Species Conservation Act, has made a Final Determination to list the Loss of Hollow-bearing Trees as a KEY THREATENING PROCESS.
Apart from nesting birds, which use a single hollow during breeding, many species move between hollows over time. For example, Australian Owlet-nightjars (Aegotheles cristatus) shelter in up to six hollows over several months. Frequent movements between hollows may serve to reduce parasite infestation, minimise risk of predation, provide appropriate thermal micro climates and allow energy-efficient access to foraging areas.
Many vertebrates are known to select hollows with specific characteristics, indicating that suitable hollows represent a fraction of the total hollow resource. The design of the nest box will usually need to be specific for the targeted species. Dimensions of the box (volume, depth and wall thickness), internal structure, position and dimension of the entrance and construction materials all need to be considered. As a general rule the dimensions for the entrance hole should be no larger than required for the body size of the target species. This reduces the risk of predation and use by exotic species. Larger species such as
Brushtail Possums and Greater Gliders need hollows with entrances greater than 5cm. Common Brushtail Possums generally choose hollows with 12-15cm entrances.
Kookaburra Nest Box
Kingfishers (Kookaburras) are almost exclusively hollow nesters, however the “location” of the nests can be vary considerably. These “nesting hollows” may be pre-existing in trees (trunks or spouts) or dug into tree-termites nests, ground termite mounds, creek banks, cliffs or evening road-cuttings depending on the species concerned.
If you just have a pair of Kookaburras, without an extended family, the addition of an artificial hollow may be just what they need.
Reference: fauNature nesting boxes
Common Brushtail Possums are obligate hollow users – in that every day they require a safe refuge to retreat to, typically a natural hollow (referred to as a “den”) or where hollows are lacking.
Possum boxes: 12mm plywood is excellent. Hang with sturdy wire sheathed in hose pipe. A short sturdy piece of branch screwed firmly to the entrance will allow a possum easy entry. Allow 120mm entrance hole size, 470mm height at back, 270mm width, 300mm deep
Reference: Office of Environment and Heritage
Nest Box Construction
Nest boxes can be made from timber or exterior-grade plywood (2-19mm is ideal). To waterproof the box, screw the ends together and paint the exterior. Do not paint inside the box.
Sawn timber boxes should be well ventilated and have good drainage (a small gap under the roof or a few small holes in the floor).
Avoid using treated timber, toxic paints, or chipboard and make sure there are no sharp protruding edges or nails.
Location and Installation
Nest box locations should be quiet, up high (over 4m), safe from predators (e.g. cats) and sheltered from prevailing winds and the midday sun.
The box itself should be positioned so that the animals) can easily get in and out and can easily reach and climb onto nearby branches.
Nest boxes may also suffer invasion by feral bees, ants and non-native bird species such as Indian Mynas. In this case, the nest box may have to be temporarily removed.
Cats and rats can also be a problem in some areas. To prevent these animals accessing the nest box, a metal sheet (approximately 1m wide) can be wrapped around the base of the tree or pole ensuring the metal sheet is high enough to prevent predators jumping over it.
Many native animals are dependent on tree hollows for bearing and rearing their young. Sugar gliders, owls, parrots, cockatoos and some small bats rely on tree hollows for their survival. Loss of these places to breed means that they are forced to come to ground where they are vulnerable to diseases and predators such as domestic cats.
To help them survive:
• Plant and retain native habitat in your garden, especially those trees which have hollows. Talk to the Council’s bush care officer to find the best trees for your garden.
• If those hollow-bearing trees have to be cut down, keep the hollow branches or stumps in the garden so that animals can use them.
• Install a nest box in your garden.
Findings of NSW Scientific Committee
The Scientific Committee, established by the Threatened Species Conservation Act, has made a Final Determination to list the Loss of Hollow-bearing Trees as a KEY THREATENING PROCESS.
Apart from nesting birds, which use a single hollow during breeding, many species move between hollows over time. For example, Australian Owlet-nightjars (Aegotheles cristatus) shelter in up to six hollows over several months. Frequent movements between hollows may serve to reduce parasite infestation, minimise risk of predation, provide appropriate thermal micro climates and allow energy-efficient access to foraging areas.
Many vertebrates are known to select hollows with specific characteristics, indicating that suitable hollows represent a fraction of the total hollow resource. The design of the nest box will usually need to be specific for the targeted species. Dimensions of the box (volume, depth and wall thickness), internal structure, position and dimension of the entrance and construction materials all need to be considered. As a general rule the dimensions for the entrance hole should be no larger than required for the body size of the target species. This reduces the risk of predation and use by exotic species. Larger species such as
Brushtail Possums and Greater Gliders need hollows with entrances greater than 5cm. Common Brushtail Possums generally choose hollows with 12-15cm entrances.
Kookaburra Nest Box
Kingfishers (Kookaburras) are almost exclusively hollow nesters, however the “location” of the nests can be vary considerably. These “nesting hollows” may be pre-existing in trees (trunks or spouts) or dug into tree-termites nests, ground termite mounds, creek banks, cliffs or evening road-cuttings depending on the species concerned.
If you just have a pair of Kookaburras, without an extended family, the addition of an artificial hollow may be just what they need.
Reference: fauNature nesting boxes
Common Brushtail Possums are obligate hollow users – in that every day they require a safe refuge to retreat to, typically a natural hollow (referred to as a “den”) or where hollows are lacking.
Possum boxes: 12mm plywood is excellent. Hang with sturdy wire sheathed in hose pipe. A short sturdy piece of branch screwed firmly to the entrance will allow a possum easy entry. Allow 120mm entrance hole size, 470mm height at back, 270mm width, 300mm deep
Reference: Office of Environment and Heritage
Nest Box Construction
Nest boxes can be made from timber or exterior-grade plywood (2-19mm is ideal). To waterproof the box, screw the ends together and paint the exterior. Do not paint inside the box.
Sawn timber boxes should be well ventilated and have good drainage (a small gap under the roof or a few small holes in the floor).
Avoid using treated timber, toxic paints, or chipboard and make sure there are no sharp protruding edges or nails.
Location and Installation
Nest box locations should be quiet, up high (over 4m), safe from predators (e.g. cats) and sheltered from prevailing winds and the midday sun.
The box itself should be positioned so that the animals) can easily get in and out and can easily reach and climb onto nearby branches.
Nest boxes may also suffer invasion by feral bees, ants and non-native bird species such as Indian Mynas. In this case, the nest box may have to be temporarily removed.
Cats and rats can also be a problem in some areas. To prevent these animals accessing the nest box, a metal sheet (approximately 1m wide) can be wrapped around the base of the tree or pole ensuring the metal sheet is high enough to prevent predators jumping over it.