Native animals can be injured, orphaned or killed as a result of human activities or natural disasters and around 7,000 native animals are treated in Victorian animal shelters each year.

The best way to look after an animal in distress is to call the right people immediately, and if you hit an animal it is important to check whether they are alive or deceased and whether they have any young.

If they are alive and need help DSE have a customer service centre which will direct you to the closest local animal shelter or refuge.

For more information on caring for wildlife please visit the DSE website www.dse.vic.gov.au, call the the DSE Customer Service Centre 136 186 or contact Jirralingha Koala and Wildlife Sanctuary on 03 5254 248.

For further information on caring for wildlife read our blog post on the subject here.