It is not recommended to handle bats unless you have had the appropriate immunisation. If you do need to, ensure you use thick gloves or a towel to avoid being scratched or bitten. Place the animal in a box or cage with a towel hanging in there for it to climb onto. If you are scratched or bitten see a doctor as soon as possible.

Bandicoots are difficult to hold as they have a smooth slippery coat. They bite and have very strong hind legs with sharp claws that can deliver a good kick and scratch. To pick up, throw a towel over the animal, grasp behind the head and place in a pillow slip and then in a secure cage or box. If deceased, check the pouch for young. Seek advice from the HHWC Wildlife Helpline on removing joeys.

Where possible, uninjured baby birds should be placed back in their nest or in an artificial nest to be reunited with their parents. Only if obviously injured or abandoned should the babies be removed. Place them in a small, secure, ventilated box with a towel on the bottom to prevent sliding and causing injuries.

Wherever possible, avoid handling adult birds without thick gloves and a towel. Cover the head and beak with a towel and grasp the birds body securing the wings against it to avoid flapping. Some birds have very sharp claws and strong grip so beware of the feet. Wrap a towel around the bird (not too tight) to avoid injuring its wings in the cage. Roll up a towel and form a circle with it and place in the bottom of the cage. Sit the bird in this circle to help keep it stable.

If a bird has been attacked by a cat or dog it is critical to get them to a vet as soon as possible as they will require antibiotics to prevent infection.

Echidnas are great escape artists, and they are incredibly strong, so any carrier needs to be secured with cable ties or similar. As their spines are sharp, wear thick gloves and use a thick towel to carefully pick up and place in the cage.

Do not place them on any heat.

Large wild emu’s can be very dangerous. If an emu has broken legs it will need to be euthanised. Contact the HHWC Wildlife Helpline for advice.

If you have to rescue an emu chick then as with a bird, grab around the body supporting the wings against the body. Place in a ventilated cage with soft bedding to help avoid injuries. Get the animal to a vet as soon as possible.

Large kangaroos can be very dangerous especially when injured; they have an incredible tenacity to still be able to move with injured limbs. The best thing to do is contact the HHWC Wildlife Helpline for advice and provide them with an exact location so that help can be arranged. If the kangaroo is in the bush, try and place something to mark the location to assist the rescuers.

If the kangaroo is dead and it is safe to do so, remove it from the road and move into the bush as far as possible.

Check if it’s a female: if so, check the pouch for a joey. This may seem scary to do, but you might save the life of a joey. If the mum has died recently, the inside of the pouch will be warm and a bit sticky feeling. It is quite deep so reach the whole way down as the joey will move away from you.

If the mum has been dead awhile and rigor mortis has set in, then the pouch will have to be cut to remove the joey. Use scissors and cut down the length of the pouch until you can get the joey. Place your hands around the joey and scoop it out. Joeys can survive up to 48 hours inside a dead doe’s pouch.

If the joey is still attached to the teat, cut the teat as long as possible. Place a safety pin through the teat to stop the joey swallowing it. If you pull the joey straight off the teat you will cause injury to their mouth.

Place the joey in a pillowcase/pouch and call the HHWC Wildlife Helpline who will direct you to a rehabilitator. If the joey is furless (pinkie) then place it down your top to help keep it warm.

Do not try to feed or offer water to the animal.

When handling an adult possum (Ringtail or Brushtail) use thick gloves and a towel or pouch to protect yourself. Grasp the animal securely around the back of the neck and near the base of the tail. Try and face the possum away from yourself because they are going to wee on you. Place in a pillowcase or pouch and secure the top as they will escape. Put in a cage or box with ventilation holes.

Ringtail possums are listed as critically endangered so please deliver directly to the vet. If you have a Brushtail ring the HHWC Wildlife Helpline for further instructions. A joey possum is not as aggressive, but it pays to still take care.

If you find a deceased possum, please check the pouch for joeys.

ALWAYS seek assistance with snakes from a registered snake relocator. Do not handle them yourself.

To pick up lizards, use a towel and gloves and approach the animal from behind where possible. Grasp at the back of the neck and support the body with your other hand. Be aware that they have strong jaws and can inflict nasty bites. Clean your hands after handling reptiles as Salmonella bacteria can be present on their skin.

Caution: turtles have strong legs and sharp claws, making it difficult to hold and pick them up.

Lift the turtle by the top of the shell behind the neck and support the base of the shell with the other hand. Place into a cage with a damp towel underneath them. If the shell is damaged, broken or moving, carefully secure with a soft bandage and get the animal to a vet as soon as possible.