Become A Carer
Wildlife Caring
Why do native animals need special care?
Most animals, whether they are domestic or wild have the same needs: warmth, shelter, a balanced diet and the ability to avoid predators. But native species also have special needs. Each species eats specific food and some animals can become very sick or even die if fed the wrong food. For instance most native mammals cannot digest cow's milk and must be fed special formula. Some birds eat insects, others seeds, others nectar and others meat. Identifiying a bird in care is essential before attempting to feed it anything.
Feeding techniques are also very important and carers need to be specially trained for each species, using the right equipment. Using the wrong technique or the wrong teat size can result in overfeeding or pushing food down the respiratory tract with is likely to kill the animal.
Native animals are NOT PETS!! They must be cared for in a way that maximises their chance of going back into the wild. For native animals to prosper, they must be taught to find their own food, avoid humans and other predators such as dogs and cats. Carers have to make sure that the animals in their care are not humanized and are capable of suviving in the wild upon release.
Special skills are needed when caring for native wildlife and FNQ Wildlife Rescue aims to assist carers in developing these skills based on advice and supervision. We always welcome new members and carers, so please get in touch!
FNQ Wildlife Rescue conduct frequent courses and information sessions for new carers. Here you will learn about the different species and how to care for them effectively. They also have a strong support network with many experienced carers who are willing and able to offer advice and assistance for new starters. There is alsosome very good reference material available that will help you learn about the various species and their requirements.
