Colac Wildlife Rescue

05/01/2026

☀️ Stay safe in the extreme heat 🥵

Signs of heat stress;

Possums • 🌲 Possums will often be seen on the ground, out in the open during daylight hours or even be unresponsive when suffering from heat stress. Ringtail possums are more prone to heat stress than brushtail possums.

Koalas • 🐨 Due to a lack of energy from heat exhaustion, koalas will commonly be seen sitting at the base of a tree, or low down in a tree. They may appear lethargic or have their head down.

Birds • 🦜 Exhibit open mouth panting, wing spread out and not flying when heat stressed. They also will be on the ground, unable to hold themselves up on a branch.

Bats • 🦇 When suffering from heat stress, this nocturnal species will be seen out in daylight, often on or low to the ground.

Kangaroos & Wallabies • 🦘 Lethargy, reluctance to move, salivating, and lying down without quickly moving away when startled.

Reptiles • 🦎 Seeking refuge in cool, dark places such as under bushes, burrows, or rocks.

Snakes • 🐍 Often snakes will enter garages or open gaps to enter homes to find a cool spot to shelter. If this occurs please contact Snake Catcher Colac on 0498-063-229

Call it in 🚨 • injured, unwell, heat stress & orphan to Wildlife Victoria or call us directly on 0498-063-229

~ Colac Wildlife Rescue

27/12/2025

Slow down.
Watch for wildlife at dawn and dusk, when animals are most active.
And please, watch for wildlife rescuers too.
If you see someone on the roadside wearing a high vis vest, with hazard lights flashing, it often means an ill or injured animal is nearby. Fear and pain can make animals unpredictable, especially near traffic.
Ease off the pedal.
We don’t need you to stop, just slow down, and on multi lane roads, give space where you can.
Protect our wildlife. Protect the people helping them.
Everyone deserves to get home safely.

www.save-our-wildlife.org.au

14/12/2025

🥱 Weekend Rescues

1x Swamp Wallaby - Stuck in the water at the colac lake.

1x Kookaburra - Was hit by a vehicle at the fire station in gelibrand.

1x Common-Brushtail possum - Contacted by a Vet about an orphaned Joey.

1x Magpie - Unknown how the animal got injured.

📲 Report injured, orphaned or sick wildlife to Wildlife Victoria or call us on 0498-063-229

08/12/2025

👀 100k views

23/11/2025

🐍 Snake Safety

🐍 What should you do if you come across a Snake in the great outdoors ‼️

🦶Stay Calm:
It's natural to be startled, but panicking can lead to erratic movements that may provoke the snake.

🦶Observe from a Distance:
Give the snake space to move away on its own. Sudden movements can make the snake feel threatened.

🦶Be Aware of Your Surroundings:
When hiking or in areas where snakes may be present, stay on designated trails, wear appropriate footwear, and be mindful of where you step.

🚨 If Bitten by a Snake:
immediately call for emergency medical help (000 in Australia) and preform first aid. (Snake Bite Bandage)

🪱 Snakes are protected under the wildlife act of 1975 it is illegal to capture, harm or kill snakes.

📲 Do you have an unwanted visitor? Give us a call 0498-063-229

16/11/2025

🐢 What to do if you find a turtle on the road 🚗

🟢 Slow down: Be alert and slow your vehicle, especially after recent rain.

🟢 Move the turtle safely: If it's safe, move the turtle to the side of the road where it was heading towards, not back to where it came from.

🟢 Handling a live turtle:
To avoid being scratched, grab the turtle from the back of the shell, near its hips. Keep it away from your body.
Wear gloves or use a towel, as wild turtles may release a foul musk.

🟢 If the turtle is injured:
Do not attempt to treat it yourself.
Call a wildlife rescuer or an organization like Wildlife Victoria.
You can also take it to a vet who can contact a wildlife carer.

📲 Report sick, injured or orphaned wildlife to Wildlife Victoria alternatively you can ring 0498-063-229.

09/11/2025

🐥 What is a Fledgling?

⚪️ Appearance:
Fledglings are fully feathered but may have a short, stubby tail and appear fluffy.

⚪️ Behavior:
They are learning to fly and can often hop, flutter their wings, and grip branches with their feet.

⚪️ Development:
They have left the nest but are still under the care of their parents, who are nearby and will continue to feed them.

🪹 What to Do If You Find One

⚪️ Observe from a Distance:
Stay hidden and watch the fledgling for a while to see if the parents are around and actively feeding it.

⚪️ Check for Health and Injury:
A healthy fledgling will be able to hop, flutter, or run. If the bird is bleeding, has a broken wing, or is being attacked by predators, it needs help.

⚪️ If it's a Healthy Fledgling: Leave it alone. The parents will return to care for it.

⚪️ If it's in Immediate Danger:
Gently move it to a safer spot nearby, like under a bush or onto a low branch.

⚪️ If it's Injured or Orphaned: Contact a wildlife rescue group or veterinarian.

🚨 Please contact the Emergency Response Service on (03) 8400 7300 to report a sick, injured or orphaned native animal or for advice on wildlife situations.

📲 Speak to a colac wildlife rescuer on 0498-063-229

Wildlife Victoria

29/10/2025

⚫️ Cole’s Magpie ⚪️

We’ve had multiple reports of a magpie that’s made its way in the Colac’s Coles.

Due to management they won’t allow us to safely relocate the bird to a safer location.

We appreciate everyone reaching out.