Extreme Heat Factsheet 

EXTREME HEAT AND WILDLIFE

Extreme heat can significantly impact wildlife, leading to dehydration, exhaustion, and even death, especially if they are not accustomed to such high temperatures. Wildlife may struggle to find enough water and suitable shelter to protect themselves from the heat.

Wildlife needing rescue may show signs of confusion, lethargy, and disorientation, and species-specific indications of heat stress include:

• Birds may be panting with open beaks, wings outstretched, & seeking shade,
• Possums, gliders, and koalas, may be found on the ground, seeking cooler areas,
• Kangaroos and wallabies may be reluctant to move, salivating, and lying down without quickly moving away when startled,
• Reptiles may be seeking refuge in cool, dark places such as under bushes, burrows, or rocks.

Flying foxes are particularly vulnerable to heat stress and hundreds or thousands of animals can be impacted simultaneously. Specialist rescuers must attend bat rescues, call WIRES urgently for help.

Please report sick, injured, or orphaned wildlife and read WIRES Emergency Advice.

HOW YOU CAN HELP DURING HEATWAVES

• Keep cats and dogs inside where possible, to keep them cool and vulnerable wildlife safe.
• Leave out shallow bowls of water for wildlife, and add a few sticks or stones on one side to allow smaller animals to escape if they fall in. Ensure the containers are clean and water is changed daily. Do not attempt to pour water directly into animals’ mouths.
• Check pools and skimmer boxes twice a day for wildlife that may have fallen in and provide tethered ropes or platforms that animals can use to escape.
• Create a gentle mist with sprinklers to help animals cool down, ideally in the shade.
• Offer shade for distressed animals with garden umbrellas or other covers.
• Be vigilant on the road and keep an eye out for wildlife. Keep a cardboard box, gloves, personal protective equipment, hand sanitiser, and a towel, in the boot of your car in case you find an injured animal that you can safely contain.
• If you rescue an animal in distress do not attempt to feed it. Please wrap it loosely, ideally in 100% cotton fabric, place it in a ventilated box with a lid and keep it in a dark, quiet place whilst waiting for a rescuer or for transport to the nearest vet.

STAYING SAFE

Extreme heat can present a significant risk to human and animal safety. Stay safe by:

• Calling 000 if you require emergency assistance,
• Staying cool, keep hydrated, and follow Heatwave Preparation advice,
• Keeping up to date with Heatwave Warnings.

ADDITIONAL WAYS TO HELP

During emergency events it is common for people to want to assist impacted wildlife through volunteering, donating goods, and donations, and WIRES is deeply grateful for their support.

Although volunteering offers are always appreciated, wildlife rescue and care are complex, and we are unable to have untrained volunteers care for wildlife during an emergency. However, we encourage anyone wanting to help wildlife on an ongoing basis to join WIRES as a volunteer.

Many people want to help with donated goods during disaster events and the organisation is always in need of specific items. At times the quantity of items offered will exceed our capacity to accept, but please review our donated goods page for more information.

Everything WIRES does to help wildlife is made possible by the ongoing support of our donors, if you can donate to support our work you are helping with emergency response and 24/7 rescue support, 365 days a year. Donating is one of the best ways to support our wildlife work, as it enables us to buy exactly what’s needed, when needed, and ensures that our wildlife programs can operate long-term.