Bundaberg Wildlife Rescue & Rehabilitation | AusWild

Behind every wildlife rescue is a story you rarely see.

When someone finds an injured kangaroo on the roadside, an orphaned possum in their backyard, or a bird lying motionless beneath a window, they often see just one moment in that animal's story.

For wildlife rehabilitators, that moment is often where the real work begins.

Across Bundaberg, Wide Bay and the Fraser Coast, injured, sick and orphaned native wildlife rely on a network of dedicated wildlife rescuers, rehabilitators, veterinarians and community members willing to step in when things go wrong.

And while wildlife rescue can be incredibly rewarding, there's another side to it that doesn't often make it onto social media.

The exhaustion. The heartbreak. The financial burden. The uncertainty.

And occasionally, the extraordinary privilege of watching an animal you once held in the palm of your hand disappear back into the wild.

I'm Janelle, the founder of AusWild, and I've spent more than 13 years working with injured and orphaned Australian wildlife.

After beginning my wildlife rehabilitation journey in Tasmania, I've brought that experience to Queensland, where AusWild is growing its wildlife rescue, rehabilitation and education efforts in the Bundaberg and Wide Bay region.

This is a little about what that actually looks like, and what you can do when wildlife needs help.

Wildlife rehabilitation isn't all cuddles and cute joeys.

Let's get one thing straight.

Caring for wildlife is not the same as having a pet.

That tiny joey tucked into a pouch might look adorable, but behind that photograph are carefully measured feeds, temperature monitoring, hygiene, recordkeeping, specialised milk formulas, and sometimes weeks or months of interrupted sleep.

Wildlife rehabilitation is a responsibility that can stretch from days to well over a year, depending on the species, age and injuries involved.

It's early mornings, late nights and plans that change at a moment's notice.

It's trying to fit feeding schedules around work, family and everything else life throws at you.

It's the cost of formula, veterinary treatment, transport, medications, electricity, equipment and suitable enclosures.

And in many cases, it's all paid for by the volunteer rehabilitator.

There's no clocking off at five. No guarantee of a good outcome. And very rarely, a convenient time for an animal to need help.

But then there's the other side.

The first time a critically unwell animal starts showing signs of improvement.

The little joey that finally gains weight after days of worrying.

The animal that learns to forage independently.

The moment you open a release enclosure and watch a healthy, capable wild animal return to where it belongs.

Those moments are why we do it.

Not because we want wildlife to depend on us.

But because we want them to reach a point where they no longer need us at all.

The hardest part of wildlife rescue isn't always the rescue.

Sometimes, despite everything we do, an animal doesn't survive.

Wildlife can arrive with injuries that are simply too severe. Internal trauma, infections, neurological damage, dehydration or complications that aren't immediately obvious.

And sometimes, the kindest outcome is humane euthanasia.

That's a reality of wildlife rehabilitation that deserves more open and compassionate discussion.

Because successful wildlife rehabilitation isn't measured by how many animals we keep alive.

It's measured by whether we can provide an animal with an appropriate quality of life and, where possible, a realistic opportunity to return to the wild.

Keeping an animal alive when it is suffering and has no reasonable prospect of recovery isn't necessarily kindness.

Knowing when to let go is one of the hardest responsibilities we carry.

And those decisions stay with you.

But so do the successful releases, the recoveries you didn't expect, and the animals that remind you why you started.

Found injured or orphaned wildlife in Bundaberg, Wide Bay or the Fraser Coast? Here's what to do.

Whether you're in Bundaberg, Bargara, Childers, Gin Gin, Hervey Bay, Howard or elsewhere across the Wide Bay and Fraser Coast region, knowing what to do in the first few minutes can make an enormous difference.

You don't need to be a wildlife rehabilitator to help.

Sometimes the most valuable thing you can do is keep an animal safe until an experienced rescuer or veterinarian can take over.

1. Make sure it's safe to approach.

Your safety comes first.

If an animal has been hit by a car, don't put yourself or other road users at risk trying to reach it.

Injured wildlife can also bite, scratch or kick, particularly when frightened or in pain.

Large kangaroos, adult wallabies, bats, snakes, raptors and other potentially dangerous animals should only be handled by appropriately trained and equipped people.

If you're unsure, keep your distance and contact a wildlife rescue organisation or veterinarian for advice.

2. If it's safe, contain the animal appropriately.

For small, non-dangerous animals that can be safely handled, a towel and a secure, ventilated box can be incredibly useful.

Keep handling to a minimum.

A quiet, dark environment helps reduce stress while professional advice is being arranged.

Different species require different handling and containment techniques, so seek guidance before attempting to move an animal if you're uncertain.

3. Keep them quiet and at a safe temperature.

Wild animals don't understand that you're trying to help.

To them, being handled by a human can feel like being captured by a predator.

Keep children, pets, noise and unnecessary handling away.

Avoid placing an animal in direct sunlight, against a heat source or somewhere it could overheat. Young, cold or compromised animals may need carefully controlled warmth, but this should be guided by an experienced rehabilitator or veterinarian.

4. Don't offer food or water unless instructed.

This is one of the most common mistakes people make with rescued wildlife.

Offering food, milk or water might seem helpful, but it can cause serious complications.

An injured or stressed animal may be unable to swallow safely, and inappropriate food or formula can make an already difficult situation worse.

Please don't syringe water into an animal's mouth or attempt to feed a joey without appropriate guidance.

The priority is safe containment and getting the animal assessed.

5. If you've found a deceased kangaroo or wallaby, consider the possibility of pouch young.

Sadly, vehicle collisions are a major reason marsupials come into care.

A female kangaroo or wallaby may be carrying a live joey even when she has died.

But please don't place yourself in danger checking animals on busy roads.

If it's safe to stop, contact an experienced wildlife rescuer for guidance. Pouch checks should only be attempted when safe and appropriate.

If a joey is attached to a teat, never forcibly pull it free. This can cause serious injuries.

An experienced wildlife rescuer can explain the safest next steps.

6. Contact a wildlife rescuer or veterinarian as soon as possible.

An animal that appears quiet or uninjured may still be suffering from shock, internal injuries or other serious problems.

Don't assume that because an animal can move, it doesn't need help.

Contact a local wildlife rescue organisation, appropriately permitted wildlife rehabilitator or veterinarian.

In Queensland, the RSPCA's 1300 ANIMAL hotline (1300 264 625) can help direct wildlife emergencies to appropriate assistance.

For wildlife emergencies around Bundaberg, Wide Bay and the Fraser Coast, AusWild can also provide first response guidance and assistance within our available capacity and permitted species.

If you're unable to reach one organisation, please keep trying other appropriate rescue contacts or a veterinary clinic. Wildlife emergencies shouldn't have to wait for a Facebook message to be seen.

Call me directly on 0494 761 348

Why our local wildlife community matters.

Wildlife rescue isn't something one person or one organisation can do alone.

Across the Bundaberg, Wide Bay and Fraser Coast region, there are wildlife rehabilitators quietly doing extraordinary work.

People who rearrange their days to collect injured animals.

People who drive long distances to transport wildlife.

People who spend their own money building enclosures, purchasing formula and providing specialised care.

People who answer the phone when someone doesn't know what else to do.

And people who provide safe release sites when an animal is finally ready to return to the wild.

But wildlife rehabilitation can also be an incredibly isolated world.

Resources are limited. Volunteers are stretched. And sometimes, the very people working towards the same goal aren't as connected as they could be.

That's something I want AusWild to help change.

Because wildlife doesn't care which organisation rescues it.

It doesn't care about politics, personalities or who gets the credit.

It just needs the right help, at the right time.

And I believe we can achieve far more when we work together.

You don't have to be a wildlife rehabilitator to make a difference.

One of the biggest misconceptions about wildlife rescue is that helping means taking animals into your home.

It doesn't.

Not everyone has the space, time, finances or lifestyle to rehabilitate wildlife. And that's completely okay.

There are so many other ways to contribute.

You might be able to transport an animal to a veterinarian. Provide materials for wildlife enclosures. Help with administration or fundraising. Offer suitable land for release. Share reliable wildlife rescue information. Support a local rehabilitator financially. Or simply learn what to do when you encounter an animal in trouble.

Every one of those contributions matters.

In fact, some of the most valuable people in wildlife rehabilitation never have an animal in their care.

They make it possible for the people who do.

Building something bigger with AusWild.

AusWild began with a simple belief: Australia's wildlife deserves better outcomes, and the people working to protect it deserve stronger support.

After more than a decade in wildlife rehabilitation, I've seen both the extraordinary dedication within our wildlife community and the challenges that continue to hold it back.

As AusWild grows its presence in Bundaberg, Wide Bay and the Fraser Coast, my goal is to help build a more connected, informed and supported wildlife community.

One that makes it easier for members of the public to find appropriate help.

One that encourages people to become involved, even if they can't rehabilitate wildlife themselves.

And one that recognises the enormous contribution made by the volunteers who keep wildlife rescue and rehabilitation going.

There's a long way to go.

But meaningful change rarely happens overnight.

It happens through conversations, education, cooperation, and people deciding that they want to be part of something better.

For the wild.

Wildlife rehabilitation isn't glamorous.

It's messy, expensive, exhausting and, at times, absolutely heartbreaking.

But it's also one of the most rewarding things I've ever done.

Because somewhere between the sleepless nights, the endless washing, the formula-covered clothes and the difficult decisions, there are moments that make every sacrifice worthwhile.

And when you watch an animal return to the wild, knowing you've given it another chance, it's hard to put that feeling into words.

That's why we do it.

Not to make wildlife part of our world. But to give them another chance in theirs.

If you're in Bundaberg, Wide Bay or the Fraser Coast and would like to learn more about wildlife rescue, rehabilitation or ways to get involved, connect with AusWild.

Whether you can give an hour, offer a skill, help with transport or simply share what you've learned, there's a place for you in our wildlife community.

For the Wild.

— JanelleFounder, AusWild