Extreme Heat Factsheet 

Extreme Heat Wildlife Factsheet 

Extreme heat and heatwaves 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. During periods of extreme heat wildlife needing rescue may show signs of confusion, lethargy and disorientation.

Additional species-specific indications of heat stress include:

• Birds may be panting with open beaks, wings outstretched and seeking shade,
• Possums, gliders and koalas, may be found on the ground and 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 may be found on the ground or low in bushes.

Flying foxes are particularly vulnerable to heat stress and hundreds or thousands of animals can be impacted simultaneously. If you see a flying-fox or microbat needing rescue do not touch it, call WIRES immediately.

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

HOW YOU CAN HELP WILDLIFE DURING EXTREME HEAT:

• Keep cats and dogs inside to keep them cool and vulnerable wildlife safe.
• Provide clean fresh drinking water in shallow containers, ideally in the shade:
  
  • Place a rock or heavy sticks in each container to allow smaller animals to easily access the water and not become trapped.
  • Ensure the containers are clean and water is changed daily.
  • Use strong containers to avoid collapse, and place them on firm surfaces so they don’t tip if a heavy animal tries to use them.
  • Containers of different sizes and depths at different locations e.g. on the ground and higher up next to tree cover, are ideal for a range of different birds and animals. Some containers placed under bushes can provide shade and assist animals to be better placed to escape from predators.
  • Do not put electrolytes or sugar in water sources as they can be harmful to wildlife.

• Create a gentle mist with sprinklers to help animals cool down, ideally in the shade.
• 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.
• 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 have found a heat-stressed animal you can offer it a shallow dish of water to drink from. Do not attempt to pour water directly into animals’ mouths.
• If you rescue an animal in distress do not attempt to feed it. Call WIRES for advice and if it is safe to do so you may be able to wrap it loosely, ideally in 100% cotton fabric, and 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 or the local wildlife rescue organisation in your state or territory. 

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.

SUPPORTING WILDLIFE RESCUE AND RECOVERY

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 and improving long-term outcomes for wildlife.