Rehabilitation of sick, injured and orphaned animals

To report all wildlife emergencies such as sick, injured or orphaned animals, please call RSPCA on 1300 264  625 (1300 ANIMAL).

To report marine animal strikes or strandings, please contact the department on 1300 130 372.

Much of Queensland's native wildlife is protected under the Nature Conservation Act 1992. This legislation provides for a licensing system to help protect native wildlife from over exploitation and to ensure wild populations of plants and animals are protected. Anyone who intends to take, use or keep native plants and animals should be familiar with Queensland’s wildlife laws and regulations.

The Nature Conservation Act 1992 provides a mechanism for the rehabilitation of sick, injured or orphaned protected animals so that these animals can be returned to the wild.

Volunteer wildlife carers perform a valuable community service by rescuing and rehabilitating thousands of protected animals each year. The regulation allows for the rescue of sick, injured or orphaned native animals in emergency circumstances by unlicensed persons. A person who is not licensed should give the animal to the holder of a rehabilitation permit immediately. However, where this is not practical, arrangements must be made within 72 hours for the animal to be given to licensed carer. Please consider the animal’s welfare at all times as delays in getting the animal to a carer are likely to cause its condition to deteriorate.