Wet Weather and Wildlife

Wet Weather Wildlife Help: What To Do After Storms

When wild weather hits, many native animals can become vulnerable. Strong winds and heavy rain often damage trees, destroy nests and leave young or injured wildlife exposed and in need of help.

Storms across New South Wales have been known to bring down branches, displace chicks and joeys, and separate young animals from their parents. After these events, WIRES receives a surge in calls from concerned members of the public wanting to help. If you find wildlife after a storm, here’s how you can assist safely and effectively.

Signs an Animal Needs Help After Rain or Storms

Storms can leave wildlife exposed to the elements or stranded far from shelter. Animals to look out for include:

Nocturnal animals, such as possums, seen out during the day
Baby birds alone on the ground with no sign of parents nearby
Wildlife that appears injured, cold or disoriented

It is always best to observe quietly from a distance before intervening. Some animals may be fine and simply waiting for their parents to return.

Helping Baby Birds on the Ground

It is quite normal for fledgling birds, such as magpies, to spend time on the ground as they learn to fly. During this stage, their parents will usually remain close by and continue feeding them while they build their strength.

However, storms may bring chicks to the ground before they are ready. These younger birds may need several more weeks of growth before they are able to fly or survive on their own.

How to Reunite a Chick With Its Parents

If the original nest is unreachable, there are ways to create a safe artificial nest nearby:

Use a small basket or container with drainage holes, lined with natural material
Secure it to the tree the chick came from, or to a post placed firmly in the ground
Create a landing perch if needed to make it easier for parents to access
Step well away and observe from a distance

If the parents return and begin feeding the chick, this is the ideal outcome. Chicks raised by their parents learn essential survival skills and have a much better chance of thriving in the wild.

If the chick is very young or the parents do not return within a couple of hours, please contact WIRES on 1300 094 737 or report online via our rescue form.

Helping Injured or Cold Wildlife

After storms, you may find native animals that are wet, shivering or in distress. Here’s how to help:

Check pouches carefully if you come across a deceased marsupial
Keep the animal warm, dark and quiet using a ventilated box lined with a towel or blanket
Wrap the animal in natural, breathable material such as wool
Keep them away from noise, pets and children
Do not handle more than necessary and do not attempt to feed them

If you are unsure what to do or cannot reach WIRES, take the animal to your nearest vet. All vets in New South Wales can provide initial care and contact licensed wildlife carers on your behalf.

To help you act quickly in future, consider downloading the free WIRES Rescue App to your phone. It will help you locate nearby vets and provide guidance during an emergency.