Native wildlife struggle through extreme heat with risk of dehydration, injury and death

Campaign manager for WIRES Wildlife Rescue Kristie Newton said they’ve received an influx of calls during the recent heatwave.

“We’ve been absolutely inundated with calls for help with the multiple days over 35-40 degrees, so it’s clear the wildlife is really suffering,” she said. 

Mrs Newton said animals react in the same way humans do when it comes to weather. 

“I think it’s the same risk of illness and injury, or threat to health that we feel,” she said.

“When we have hot weather we feel dehydrated and lethargic, and it’s the same for these animals.”

While it can sometimes be hard to resist going straight up to these animals, Mrs Newton advised people to exercise caution and first assess the situation when it comes to helping wildlife. 

“With any wild animal we should always practice caution, especially if you’re unsure of the animal’s behaviour,” she said.

“Particularly with snakes and bats too, keep your distance and call your local wildlife group straight away.”

Mrs Newton said other, low-risk animals can be helped though. 

“If it’s like a bird or possum, you can offer assistance to the animal straight away, but still be cautious and call a wildlife group to get talked through how to help properly,” she said. 

“A good tip at this time of year is to put water bottles out; they’re simple items that everyone has at home so we encourage everyone to do it.

“Put the water bottle out in a shaded area, and make sure to put rock and stick in it so smaller animals that might get in can get back out.” 

Mrs Newton said this was the same with pools, suggesting people place a rope or items like boogie boards half in and half out of the water so animals going in to cool down do not get trapped and drown. 

One worker in Wagga had his own experience with the region’s native wildlife.

Nic Driscoll spotted a possum on the farm he works at in Wagga and said it wasn’t a regular occurrence. 

“He was just on my farm where I work, just a one off spot so we don’t normally see them around too often,” he said.

“He looked a bit warm so I tipped some water on him first to try and cool him down, but then he jumped up some branches to my level to get to the water so I held out the tub and he was happy to have a drink.”

Mr Driscoll said he hasn’t been able to check on the possum since, but the water should have eased any dehydration.

“He wanted to keep drinking but I obviously had to work so I set the tub on ground and left him be, but I haven’t been back to check if he’s still there,” he said. 

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