Get Involved
Join the wildlife community
and help native animals have
a second chance of life in the wild
Emergency
Response
WIRES provides 24/7 Rescue and Emergency Response Nationally.
Call us on 1300 094 737
Support Us
Help us to rescue and rehabilitate native wildlife and give them a second chance of life in the wild.
WIRES Mission
WIRES is Australia’s largest wildlife rescue organisation. WIRES has been rescuing and caring for sick, injured and orphaned native animals since 1985, and our mission is to actively rehabilitate and preserve Australian wildlife and inspire others to do the same.
Since 1985, WIRES has rescued and rehabilitated hundreds of thousands of sick, injured, and orphaned animals through its 24/7 Wildlife Rescue Office and dedicated Emergency Response Team, supporting regions across NSW, South-East Queensland, and Tasmania. As the leading organisation in wildlife rescue and rehabilitation, WIRES empowers thousands of volunteers and partners with wildlife rescue groups nationwide to provide resources such as food support, training, systems assistance, and disaster relief.
WIRES is committed to securing a sustainable future for Australian wildlife through conservation, habitat protection, and collaboration with stakeholders to ensure the long-term recovery and protection of native species in the wild.
At no other time in history has WIRES' mission been more critical for the future of Australian wildlife. For some species, every native life returned to the wild is a buffer against extinction.
Now is the time to harness our collective power.
Support WIRES
Thanks to the generous support of the WIRES community, we achieved some amazing things during FY24:
197,708
Rescue calls answered
by WIRES
148,276
Native Animals
Assisted
4000+
WIRES Wildlife
Volunteers
500+
Vets work with WIRES to
assist native animals in need
At no other time in history has WIRES' mission been more critical for the future of Australian wildlife. For some species, every native life returned to the wild is a buffer against extinction. Now is the time to harness our collective power.
With supporters like you, we will amplify WIRES unique skillset and emergency services to increase rescue and rehabilitation capacity across the country. We will support our network of volunteer carers, accelerate best practice rehabilitation, fund innovative programs into habitat and species recovery and continue to support trusted partners across Australia to safeguard precious ecosystems for the decades to come.
Get Involved with WIRES
If you live in NSW you could become a vital part of the WIRES community as a WIRES volunteer. Find out more here.
WIRES offers people outside of NSW alternate support options such as joining our National Wildlife Network or further education with our National Training.
Get Involved with WIRES
WIRES Wildlife Updates
Here, we share inspiring stories of wildlife rescues, celebrating our dedicated volunteers and updating on wildlife related issues nationally.
Celebrating National Tree Day
Tree Hollows: Hidden Homes Worth Protecting
This National Tree Day, we’re turning our attention to...
Read More...Collaboration ensures successful release for lucky Pelican
This beautiful pelican was found weak and unresponsive — eyes closed, unable to move — and...
Read More...From Rescue to Release: Ajooni and Maz Return to the Wild in Appin
Two orphaned koalas—Ajooni and Maz—took their final steps into freedom on Friday, marking a...
Read More...Introducing the WIRES Veterinary Training Hub
Supporting Wildlife Through Veterinary Education – Introducing the WIRES Veterinary Training Hub
Read More...Volunteer Week Spotlight - Alyce's Story
National Volunteer Week 2025: Alyce’s Story
This National Volunteer Week, WIRES is celebrating the...
Read More...Return and Earn for WIRES
It’s estimated that more than 160 million drink containers litter our streets, beaches, waterways,...
Read More...Wet Weather and Wildlife
Wet Weather Wildlife Help: What To Do After Storms
When wild weather hits, many native animals can...
Read More...Possum in Your Roof? Here's How to Help
If you're hearing scratching, thumping or scampering above your ceiling at night, there’s a good...
Read More...September is Biodiversity Month!
Biodiversity Month is held in September each year and aims to promote the importance of protecting,...
Read More...Entanglements: What to Do If Wildlife Gets Trapped
Entanglement is one of the most common and preventable threats facing native wildlife in Australia....
Read More...What to Do If You See a Snake in Your Garden
Spotting a snake in your garden or home can come as a surprise. But the truth is, snakes are a...
Read More...WIRES Emergency Response in the wake of ex-tropical cyclone Alfred
In the aftermath of ex-tropical cyclone Alfred, we wanted to share some key insights from our...
Read More...International Women's Day Volunteer Spotlight: Shelley
On International Women’s Day, WIRES is celebrating the talented, hardworking, and compassionate...
Read More...Celebrating National Eucalypt Day
March 23 is National Eucalypt Day, a special occasion dedicated to honouring the vital role that...
Read More...Interview with WIRES Training & Development
Jenn Rhodes - Head of WIRES Training & Development, pictured, gives us a brief insight into the...
Read More...Corporate Workshops with WIRES
WIRES is now working with Pinnacle Team Events to offer WIRES Wildlife Workshops. In this...
Read More...Pelican
Just before Xmas, longtime rescuer and carer Dave Millett was called to a rescue of a pelican on...
Read More...Emergency Help Needed for Flying-foxes
Large areas of Northern NSW and South East Queensland are experiencing what appears to be a severe...
Read More...Wildlife and Pool Safety
As the weather warms up, more Australians head outdoors to enjoy their backyard swimming pools. But...
Read More...Positive change for nature?
The global Nature Positive Summit took place last week, 8-10th October in Sydney. The Summit was...
Read More...Shensu
Last October, a Grey-headed flying-fox was taken by a python from a white mulberry tree in a beach...
Read More...What it takes to rehabilitate for the wild
4AM wake ups and around the clock feeds, WIRES Wildlife Volunteer, Georgia gives us a special...
Read More...WIRES Continuing RRANA’s Wildlife Rescue Legacy in Far West NSW
After dutifully serving Broken Hill and the Far West of NSW for over 30 years, RRANA (Rescue and...
Read More...Being prepared is critical to reduce the wildlife impacts of a H5N1 outbreak in Australia
Viruses are not new, and some variants of avian influenza have existed in Australia for many years...
Read More...A 24/7 Emergency Rescue Service dedicated to wildlife - thanks to you.
Since the catastrophic bushfires of 2019/20, when an estimated 3 billion native animals lost their...
Read More...WIRES Assists Gumbaynggirr Country Weave Roosts For Threatened Bat Species
As part of NAIDOC Week, WIRES is proud to highlight a project that was supported through our...
Read More...Why become a wildlife carer?
“My personal journey began in 2016 when I witnessed a kangaroo hit by a car near my home. She...
WIRES grant provides life-changing support for marine conservation
World Ocean Day is a great time to shine a light on the amazing work of Australia’s marine...
Read More...Orphaned Wallaroo joey
It was a very cold morning, below zero, when Jacob stopped and checked the pouch of a female...
Read More...18 months on - the fight to protect wombats from Mange grows
Mange is a highly contagious skin condition which is decimating our wombat populations. It causes...
Read More...National Volunteer Week 2024
May 20th to May 26th marks National Volunteer Week; a time to acknowledge and celebrate the...
NSW Koala Strategy Under Review Amidst Threat of Extinction
The NSW Koala Summit took place in Sydney on March 22, 2024, bringing together 150 prominent...
Read More...Saving Orla
When WIRES carers in the mid-north coast were first called to rescue Orla, a young Yellow-bellied...
Read More...WIRES Teams Up With SES To Save Black Swan
WIRES had a bustling March, receiving over 12,000 rescue calls throughout New South Wales,...
Read More...Celebrating World Earth Day: The History of Environmental Action and Collaboration
As we commemorate World Earth Day, we reflect on the journey of environmental awareness and action...
Read More...WIRES and Taronga Team Up To Deliver World-Leading Platypus Facilities
Earlier this week, the Taronga Conservation Society officially unveiled their Platypus Rescue HQ,...
Read More...WIRES Vet Dr. Tania Bishop's Wildlife Journey
Every year, 11th February signifies the International Day of Women and Girls in Science.
Read More...Securing Koala Survival: Appin Road Wildlife Crossings Fall Short, Urgent Need for Overpasses
In a recent announcement, Transport for New South Wales (TfNSW) has released a response to...
Read More...A Journey to Preserve: Glossy Black-Cockatoos and Unexpected Visitors
WIRES National Grants Program 2021: Three-Year Timeline Overview
In a bid to support displaced...
Read More...Flying Fox Mass Death Event: WIRES' Efforts to Protect and Preserve
Australia's unique biodiversity hinges on the pivotal role played by its four mainland species of...
Read More...Answering the Call of Australia’s Wildlife
The Early Days
The year is 1988, and the place is a home in NSW’s Blue Mountains. Heat lies over...
Read More...WIRES Contributes Significant Funds to Great Eastern Ranges Project
The Great Eastern Ranges Project ‘Glideways, Flyways and Stepping Stones’ has recently concluded...
Read More...WIRES Snake Handling Training
With the arrival of warmer months, snakes become more active and encounters with them in the wild...
Read More...Canberra Excludes Wildlife Rescuers from Disaster Preparedness: A Call for Action
As we stand on the brink of another potentially catastrophic bushfire season, our hearts are heavy...
Read More...Helping feed 350 Parma Wallabies
WIRES is working with wildlife conservationist Peter Piggott to feed a group of 350 Parma...
Read More...Coming Together to Save Pelicans After the Western Australia Oil Spill
In recent years, Australia has been no stranger to nature's fury. Record-breaking droughts,...
Read More...$80 Million to Protect Koalas in South-West Sydney
In a significant move towards wildlife conservation, the NSW Government has allocated a substantial...
Read More...Safeguarding Australia's Cherished Wombats: A Compassionate Collaboration
Australia's wombats, those beloved marsupials known for their remarkable burrowing abilities and...
Joining Forces for Platypus Rescue: WIRES and Taronga Zoo's Collective Mission
WIRES is excited at the progress of a groundbreaking initiative aimed at rescuing and conserving...
Read More...Helping Endangered Cockatoos: WIRES Grant Success Story
In 2021, Native Animal Rescue, located in Malaga, WA, was awarded $20,000 via the Pat Connors Avian...
Read More...Highlights from the Australian Wildlife Rehabilitation Conference 2023
Recently, the annual Australian Wildlife Rehabilitation Conference has become a focal point for...
Read More...Preparing for Elevated Bushfire Season
At WIRES, we are dedicated to rescuing and rehabilitating native wildlife in Australia, and we...
Read More...How a Community Saved a Kangaroo Mob from Ticks
Against the raw backdrop of South Durras, where waves and sand meet in a rugged dance, a story of...
Read More...Primary Schoolers become Wildlife Warriors
On a bright morning in the Illawarra region of New South Wales, 20 excited primary school students...
Read More...Sophie and Oscar's Journey Back to the Wild
In the southwest of Sydney lives a population of koalas known as the Campbelltown koala colony. In...
Read More...WIRES Introduces New Wildlife Rehabilitation Governance Courses in Collaboration with NPWS
WIRES recognises that effective governance is crucial for the success of any organisation,...
Wedge-tailed Eagle crashes through windscreen
The last thing a young man and his friend were expecting when driving their ute on a back road...
Read More...Phillip Island Nature Parks National Grant Update
Phillip Island is home to a colony of over 1.4 million native short-tailed shearwaters! This...
Read More...Research Grants Program-2023 Recipients Announced
1: Dr Martina Jelocnik, Lead Chief Investigator for the University of the Sunshine Coast project
Read More...National Koala Conference
In May 2023, the Port Macquarie Koala Hospital hosted the third National Koala Conference, where...
Read More...Support Stronger Nature Laws
Australia’s environmental laws are being rewritten for the first time in over 20 years.
Read More...Landmark Conservation Project Ensures The Future of The Northern Bettong
We are thrilled to share an exciting update from WIRES partnerAustralian Wildlife Conservancy,...
Read More...Netting a hazard for python
Our Rescue Ambulance was called to a house in northern Sydney this morning to rescue a snake.
Read More...Caring motorist rescues kestrel
Late last week Neil, a caring motorist, was travelling between Wellington and Orange in central...
Read More...Nature Conservation Council's Bushfire Conference
WIRES recently attended the Nature Conservation Council's Bushfire Conference for 2023. The...
Read More...Wildlife Road Collisions Unveiled
Motor vehicle accidents pose a significant threat to Australia’s wildlife populations, leaving an...
Read More...National Volunteer Week
National Volunteer Week provides an opportunity to express gratitude for the selfless efforts of...
Loggerhead Turtle Release
On this World Turtle Day, we celebrate the extraordinary journey of Olivia, an endangered...
Read More...Wombat joey, growing up
This young female wombat came into care in late October last year weighing less than a kilogram,...
Read More...Trapped in chicken coop
Earlier this winter WIRES was called when a juvenile Wedge-tailed eagle managed to find itself...
Read More...WIRES springs into action on native animal rescue
WIRES has announced its Spring Rescue Appeal with the help of award winning actor Noni Hazlehurst...
Read More...WIRES EMERGENCY WILDLIFE RELIEF AND RECOVERY PLANS
In the aftermath of Australia’s devastating bushfires and drought, WIRES (NSW Wildlife Information...
Read More...Sugar Glider
A little while ago a member of the public found two baby sugar gliders whose mother had been killed...
Read More...Wedge-tailed Eagle
Vicki and Anthony are both WIRES members who live in a regional area in the South West of NSW,...
Read More...Brushtail Possum
A member of the public put a trap inside her roof and caught a female Brushtail Possum with her...
Read More...WIRES Introduces Rescue Course for Sea Snakes
WIRES has launched a new Sea Snake Rescue Course which will be available nationally for registered...
Read More...Support WIRES when you shop online with PayPal
PayPal is featuring WIRES during the month of February as a charity you can support at checkout.
Read More...Community Support for Post-Bushfire Recovery of Wildlife in the Greater Blue Mountains
In May 2023, the Great Eastern Ranges (GER) and WIRES supported the local launch of the ‘Glideways,...
Read More...WIRES 2nd Wildlife Ambulance in Tasmania
WIRES Emergency Response Team is delighted to announce the launch of our second Tasmanian Wildlife...
Read More...WIRES Research Grant Recipient Aims to Protect Platypus Populations
In 2023, Western Sydney University received a WIRES Research Grant to investigate the impact of...
Read More...Tambaroora fire wildlife search and rescue
WIRES Emergency Response Team (ERT) has been working tirelessly to provide on-ground assistance to...
Read More...Snake-friendly Fire and Rescue
Collaboration between different agencies can often lead to innovative solutions to problems. WIRES...
Read More...Lesser Long-eared Bat home rescue
A member of the public noticed a small bat flying around his bathroom after leaving the window open...
Read More...Drones Used to Monitor Post-Release Outcomes of Koalas
In 2022, researcher Dr Ryan Witt and his research team from the University of Newcastle were...
Read More...Restoring Wildlife Corridors
WIRES, in partnership with the Great Eastern Ranges (GER), is taking a collaborative approach to...
Read More...Limited edition wombat cake helps to support wildlife
Woolworths Supermarkets has created a limited edition 'Wally The Wombat' chocolate cake to help...
Satin Bowerbird chicks reunited with parents
After a weekend of very high winds a call came to our rescue office about a juvenile bird requiring...
Read More...NSW Flood Response November 2022
Our Emergency Response Vehicles and Emergency Response Teams (ERT) have been deployed across NSW...
Read More...Emergency Response Training for Wildlife Volunteers
We are excited to share that WIRES is now offering two extensive online training courses to help...
Read More...WIRES partnership with Flight Centre Foundation takes off
We are excited to announce a new partnership with the Flight Centre Foundation. This ongoing...
Read More...Join the fight to save wombats from mange
WIRES is calling on the people around NSW to become community wombat warriors and help stop the...
Read More...Improving Animal Rescue Response Times
Everbridge’s xMatters Digital Service Availability Platform is Improving Animal Rescue Response...
Read More...Australia State of the Environment Report 2021
The release of Australia State of Environment Report 2021 (SoE Report 2021) has raised national...
Read More...Vets Beyond Borders - upskilling the veterinary sector to help wildlife
(L-R) Fran Kearey (Comms Manager, World Animal Protection Australia); Dr Robert Johnson AM, (Chair...
Read More...WIRES attends the Conservation in Action Conference
The Conservation in Action Conference in Orange, NSW this month brought conservation leaders...
Read More...WIRES Emergency Response Team attends the Response, Recovery and Resilience Expo
The WIRES Emergency Response Team attended the Response, Recovery and Resilience Expo, held at the...
Read More...University of Sydney Native Wildlife Health and Disease Research Grant Update
WIRES is currently funding research at the University of Sydney School of Veterinary Science to...
Read More...WIRES Research Survey
If you work with Australian wildlife and their habitats, WIRES is interested in hearing from you!
Read More...Official Opening of Currumbin Wildlife Hospital Extension
Just 12 months ago Australia was at the end of our worst fire season in history, which followed...
Yellow-bellied Glider, vocal and vulnerable
In October the female glider pictured above was found entangled in the barbed wire surrounding an...
Read More...Sleepy Grumpy Wombat
Is that a possum I see before me....NO, it is a sleepy, grumpy wombat. This wombat found a nice...
Read More...Heat Stress in Flying-foxes - Interview with Dr. Tania Bishop
Wildlife rescuers and carers rely on veterinary clinics and wildlife hospitals to triage and treat...
Read More...National Science Week: Conservation Ecology with Aussie Ark
To celebrate #NationalScienceWeek we caught up with our partners AussieArk to talk about...
Read More...Koala Health Hub | Project Update
Following the major 2019/20 bushfires, the Koala Health Hub (KHH) at the University of Sydney was...
Read More...WIRES Supporting ARC in Emergency Response Capacity Building
WIRES has announced $420,000 in funding for Animal Rescue Cooperative (ARC) to help improve...
Read More...Men's Sheds Helping Wildlife
Natural tree hollows are an increasingly scarce and valuable resource for many native species and...
Read More...Bushfire recovery update: Mid North Coast Macropod Enclosure Construction
Many WIRES members directly felt the impact of the 19/20 bushfire season and continue their efforts...
Read More...International Women’s Day 2021
Today is International Womens day and we want to celebrate the amazing efforts of women in the...
Read More...Tiny Rocky
Tiny Rocky came into care grey, fluffy and weak, with a broken wing tip, and badly broken leg!
Read More...Superb Fairy Wren
One of our WIRES Mid South Coast volunteers made their way to Moruya to rescue three little unknown...
Read More...Magpies
Spring is usually busy baby bird season with lots of chicks coming into care. These magpies quickly...
Read More...Little Lady
As you can see this little lady was very sad looking when she was rescued in Bathurst just before...
Read More...Baby Kookaburra
From a chick to an adult, what a difference two months makes! This baby kookaburra was fortunate to...
Read More...Australian Bushfires Impact and Recovery
A year on from Australia’s worst bushfire season in history, WIRES and Bush Heritage Australia...
Read More...WIRES Water for Wildlife Project
WIRES Water for Wildlife collaboration will build and distribute $1 million worth of arboreal water...
Read More...WIRES and AWC
WIRES and the Australian Wildlife Conservancy (AWC) have joined forces to help save threatened...
Read More...WIRES uses bushfire donations to support University koala research
WIRES has announced a three-year grant to the Koala Health Hub (KHH) a University of Sydney's...
Read More...Emergency Relief Grants Overview
The first week of January 2020 was one of the worst in our history, as the ongoing tragic toll of...
Read More...FAQs Bushfire Funding
The level of compassion for the plight of wildlife and the outpouring of support for our rescue and...
Read More...Feathers of Change: Native Duck Identification Project
The Native Duck Identification Project in Tasmania has recently concluded. It was a collaboration...
Read More...Supporting Emergency Vet Care
The emergency events over the last spring and summer were some of the worst ever experienced. Many...
Read More...Water Stations for Wildlife
Due to the tragic fires and drought surviving wildlife in the wild have been facing significant...
Read More...Wallaroo rescued from suburban roof!
Late on Sunday night a very unusual call was received from a suburban location in South Western...
Read More...Over 1 Billion Animals Lost
After months of concurrent fires devasting Australia there are still dozens of fires burning in NSW...
Read More...WIRES announce 3 Million Dollars for Emergency Wildlife Rescue and Care
NSW Wildlife Information, Rescue and Education Service (WIRES) has launched two national emergency...
Read More...Emergency Help Requests
During the emergency events underway in Australia WIRES have received an overwhelming amount of...
Read More...Emergency Update January 2020
It is with shock that we continue to face the unfolding fire and drought catastrophe in NSW and...
Read More...Emergency Wildlife Rescue Advice
NSW is again in a State of Emergency, there are currently 135 fires still burning in NSW, over 4...
Read More...Unrelenting Fire Emergency
Over 2 million hectares of land have been burnt, dozens of fires are still burning and we are now...
Read More...Koala Rescued from Tragic Fires
Only weeks into this year's fire season it is already believed to be the worst on record. Lives...
Read More...NSW Fire Catastrophe
NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian has declared a state of emergency due to the catastrophic fire...
Read More...Why Birds Swoop and How to Stay Safe
For a few weeks during the breeding season each year, birds such as Magpies, Masked Lapwings and...
Read More...Native animals are not pets
As a part of the Biodiversity Conservation Bill, the Office of Environment and Heritage (OEH) is...
Read More...Wet Weather and Wildlife
The rain and winds across NSW today may have caused tree damage, brought down nests and separated...
Read More...Young Archie finalist inspired by wildlife
Maya was recently selected as a finalist in the Young Archie's for 2018. Maya's 'self portrait with...
Read More...Black Swan Cygnets
A local couple from Bawley Point on the mid-south coast called WIRES to report they had two young...
Read More...Vale Helen George
The WIRES family was deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Helen George late last year.
Read More...How to rescue an echidna
There is a Short-beaked echidna somewhere in the wilds of north west Sydney, who has been given a...
Read More...New Bat Rehabilitation Centre opens at Goulburn
In a first for NSW, a new microbat aviary has been built near Goulburn. Owned and managed by WIRES...
Read More...Chaci
Hi, my name’s Chachi. I’m a Common Wallaroo and this is me way back in March 2016. My mum had been...
Read More...Hatching a Green Tree Snake
WIRES is often called, especially about reptiles as people are nervous about seeing them in close...
Read More...Photo Montage - Lorikeet chicks
Kristin shared this story about two lorikeets (and fantastic photo montage depicting the...
Read More...Brown Cuckoo-Dove
This is a Brown Cuckoo-Dove. These birds are most commonly found in rainforests and they have a...
Read More...Black-Cockatoo
This sick juvenile Yellow-tailed Black-Cockatoo was found orphaned at Marrickville Park in early...
Read More...Murray River Local Rescue - Australian Hobby
>An Australian Hobby came into care from the Burraja/Lowesdale area with an injured right wing and...
Read More...Reuniting Chicks - Magpie
A young magpie, unable to fly, was found on the ground outside our front gate. It had fallen from...
Read More...The love life of a Brush-tailed phascogale
These unusual Australian marsupials that many people have never heard of have unusual mating...
Read More...Whistling Kite Chick
The Whistling Kite pictured came into care from Brooms Head. Our member at Broom, Stephanie was...
Read More...‘15 Ways to Help Wildlife’
Sign up to receive our monthly eNewsletter with wildlife rescue stories and updates on our work rescuing, rehabilitating, and releasing native wildlife.
