About WIRES

WIRES (Wildlife Information, Rescue and Education Service) is Australia’s largest wildlife rescue organisation, dedicated to rescuing and caring for sick, injured, and orphaned native animals since 1985.

Our mission is to rehabilitate and preserve Australian wildlife and inspire others to do the same.

We operate a 24/7 Wildlife Rescue Office providing nationwide advice and assistance, along with full-time mobile responders across Greater Sydney, South-East Queensland, and Tasmania.

WIRES also supports hundreds of wildlife rescue and rehabilitation projects across Australia and works with strategic partners to protect habitats and ensure the long-term survival of native species.

In 2024, WIRES assisted over 148,000 animals, and provided rescue services 24/7 across Australia, including providing Emergency Response to Greater Sydney, South-East Queensland, and Tasmania. We use advanced technology and an animal database to speed up rescue efforts, ensuring the right volunteers are contacted quickly.

WIRES trains hundreds of new volunteers annually, equipping them with the skills needed for wildlife rescue and care.

Recent natural disasters, such as droughts, fires, and floods, have further threatened Australia’s wildlife, accelerating risks like habitat loss and disease. WIRES is focused on mitigating these challenges and supporting long-term recovery through partnerships with wildlife rehabilitators, researchers, conservation professionals, and government agencies.

WIRES’ efforts are focused on rescue, rehabilitation, and education, we are dedicated to preserving Australia’s unique wildlife and inspiring others to protect it for future generations. Find out more here:

Improving Emergency Rescue and Response

Wildlife Rescue Office - operating 24/7, 365 days a year, providing the community, organisations, and government departments, rescue advice and assistance to improve welfare outcomes for over 140,000 native animals annually.
Emergency Response Team - operating across 3 states, WIRES provides emergency vehicles and trained personnel with specialised rescue and safety equipment to respond to urgent wildlife rescue calls and the increasing quantity of natural disasters.
Disaster Relief Program - providing immediate aid nationally to wildlife rescue groups assisting wildlife impacted by major emergency events.

Rescue and Rehabilitation

Volunteer Support and Training - providing extensive support to dozens of groups and thousands of volunteers across Australia, including food support programs, systems access and support, introductory and advanced wildlife training courses, and grant programs.
Welfare Programs - developing new programs and processes, to improve rehabilitation and release outcomes for wildlife, such as WIRES Community Mange Treatment Program, and Council Tree Planting Projects to support wildlife in care.
Best Practice Facilities - addressing major gaps to build and operate critical rehabilitation facilities, required to improve outcomes for native species.

Recovery and Risk Reduction

Wildlife Preservation - collaborating on projects, including wildlife research, to improve the recovery and conservation of wildlife habitat, and native species in the wild.
Risk-Reduction - implementing programs and campaigns to improve long-term outcomes for wildlife, including road awareness, waste reduction, and advocacy for improved protection.
Community Wildlife Information and Education - building wildlife knowledge and community engagement to secure a wilder future for Australian wildlife.