Welcome to Wildcare Inc in Darwin
Wildcare Inc NT is a non-profit wildlife care and rescue organisation in Darwin, Northern Territory Australia, which provides a support network for carers of sick, injured and orphaned wildlife.
The primary objective is to rehabilitate and release these animals back into their natural habitat and to raise community awareness concerning the care and conservation of native animals.
Injured wildlife
If you find an orphaned, sick or injured animal and a experienced carer cannot collect it straight away, you can follow these guidelines for short periods.
- It is important to keep the injured animal in a warm, dark, quiet place away from pets or noise.
- Most animals can be safely picked up by first throwing a large towel over them. Keep domestic animals and children away from these animals as they will be extremely stressed.
- Marsupials cannot tolerate the lactose in cows' milk so it should not be offered to them.
- If you injure an animal check to see if it is still alive. If so cover to keep warm and get help. Check the pouch for young. If young are still attached to a nipple, DO NOT detach. Keep mother and young together and call Wildcare. Removing dead animals from the side of the road prevents more animal injuries, but please take care.
Birds after a storm
Top End birds breed all year round in Darwin but the peak time is October to January. Fledgling and baby birds are often found on the ground, especially after storms and high winds or after taking their first flight.
Over 75% of young birds that are rescued by people with good intentions, are in fact not orphans at all, are being well cared for, and don't actually need anyone's help.
Either return to original nest (if safe), or make an artificial one using an old ice cream container with some drainage holes, hangingplanter or basket, lined with dry grass.
Hang on a tree branch closest to where baby was found, 2-3m off the ground if possible and well away from the trunk, with overhead branches for protection from the sun. Keep all activity, children and pets away, or the parents will be too nervous to return to feed the baby. Observe from a distance for 2 hours. Once left alone, the parents should return and begin feeding the baby.
If not, place in a cardboard box and keep in a warm, dark quiet place and please drop it off at your vet. Large birds may need to be handled with caution.
Emergency First Aid
Knowing what to do can make all the difference. It is important to keep the injured animal in a warm, dark, quiet place away from pets. Most animals can be safely picked up by first throwing a large towel over them. Wildcare NT is supported by several vet clinics in and around Darwin. If you find an injured animal please drop it off during business hours at:
- All Pets Vet Hospital
- Parap Veterinary Hospital
- University Avenue Veterinary Hospital
- Howard Springs Veterinary Clinic
- Paul Arnold Bush Photos
- Litchfield Vets
- Darwin Mobile Vets
or ring Wildcare NT 89 886 121 if you are unable to drop it off.
More information
Support Wildcare Inc
There are many ways to support Wildcare Inc and support our native animals.