Hospital Helpers

Wildlife

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COMMON SPECIES - SHORT TERM MANAGEMENT

I must reiterate here - it is illegal to keep any wild animal in captivity. Lort Smith is happy to accept any wild animal any day of the year. These following notes are intended for an overnight stay only, until you can contact us.

The most common species Lort Smith have received over the past three years are:

• Possums (brushtails and ringtails)
• Ravens.
• Silver Gulls
• Magpies
• Medium sized parrots, e.g. Rosellas, Lorikeets
• Large parrots, e.g. Galahs, Cockatoos

1. Possums

Possums are nocturnal, so any possum found during the day has a problem. If the possum is injured, place it in a large pet carrier, or two laundry baskets that you can wire together. A large towel or blanket is handy to pick it up and transport it. If you find one that is dead, check if there is any pouched young. Pouched young are best put into a sock and near body warmth (i.e., under your jumper) for the trip to the vet or shelter operator.

If you have an unwanted brushtail possum living in your roof, block off any entrances and build it a nesting box in a nearby tree. Many people live quite happily with the novelty of their own possum. If you do want the possum removed it is illegal to replace it somewhere else. Brushtail possums fight to the death over territoriality so the most humane way of disposing of them is to take it to a vet to be euthanased. It sounds cruel, but is better for the possum than dying from horrific war wounds. Possum traps for this purpose can be obtained from most councils.

Brushtail possums are cat sized brown animals with a black bushy tail. They are often found in suburbia as a result of a fight (they are very territorial), dog attack, or having been in a car accident. Although they look cute they have very sharp claws so be careful.

In the short term, ensure water is available. Food is not necessary unless the possum is captive for over 12 hours, as trying to feed it will stress the animal. A brushtails natural diet consists of buds, flowers and fruit from native plants, as well as insects. In captivity supply them with fresh native leaves and flowers. Do not give non-native plants, vegetables or birdseed, as these may be toxic.

Ringtail possums are smaller than brushtails. They are often brown with a cream underbelly and characteristically have a tail that spirals around your finger.

For temporary housing, a jumper or large sock or padded bag is ideal. Ringtails eat the same as brushtails, although are more selective, preferring young shoots of gums, tea trees, bottlebrush, wattles as well as flowers from grevillea, bottlebrush and native fruit. Ensure it has water at all times.

2. Ravens, Magpies and Magpie Larks

Magpies are large (38 - 44 cm) black and white coloured birds with large black beaks. They are well known for swooping on intruders at breeding time. Magpie larks (or mudlarks) are smaller (26 - 30 cm) and coloured black and white. They are also territorial, taking on many larger birds as well as people to protect their nests. Ravens are large (>50 cm) black birds of similar morphology that are often mistaken in Victoria as crows.

All of these birds can become quite friendly and seemingly easy to look after. However they do bite readily so be careful handling them. They also imprint quickly and can become dependant on humans for food so get them to a wildlife carer quickly so they can be released as soon as possible.

In the wild these birds are insectivorous, also eating fruit and plants. The magpie and raven in addition, eat carrion. In captivity they can be fed a mixture of mince/soaked dry dog food or mealworms, insects, mice etc. Do not feed live mealworms to baby birds and do not spray the insects with pesticides to kill them. Don't feed insects that have been caught near roads (lead pollution), or where dogs may have urinated. Sources for insects could be on plants, in compost heaps or around outdoor lights at night. Make sure the bird has access to fresh water at all times.

Transport and housing of these birds is ideally a cat cage or birdcage with a shade cloth or linen lining to prevent damage to their feathers or necks. Do not endeavour to hold the bird in a car - even a pillowcase is better than your bare hands.

3. Silver Gulls and Sacred Ibis

A silver gull is your typical sea gull yet it is a native species. The Sacred Ibis are large white birds with long necks and long thin turned down beaks. The beak, head, tail and wing tips are black.

Silver gulls and many other gulls and terms eat insects and worms as well as scavenging for food scraps. Their diet in captivity should include fine meat and eggs as well as insects. They can be comfortably housed for a short time in a cat cage or wooden box with a mesh lid.

Sacred Ibis along with other ibis, spoonbill, herons etc naturally eat a variety of insects, small fish, crustaceans and amphibians. A balanced captive diet incorporates lean mince, soaked crushed dry dog food, carrots and whitebait. In the short term a can of fish cat food can be used.

Housing for these birds can be a concern due to their size. Use nothing with large mesh holes as they can easily get their heads caught. Furthermore, along with many water birds, Ibis are riddled with lice, so keep handling to a minimum! The best thing would be to put the bird in the back of your car and heading straight for a wildlife carer! Ibis can bite so in transport tie their beak with a sock or piece of gauze or put the bird in the back of a station-wagon.

4. Medium sized parrots, e.g. Rosellas and Lorikeets

Granivores usually have shorter, wider beaks to crush the seed. Identification of the bird in the short term is not necessary - but acknowledgment of the beak size and shape is important to determine what to feed the bird. Most parrots and rosella (i.e. smaller than galah size) eat medium sized seed, such as budgie mix. In addition they require apple or pear and greens to eat. Gum tree branches should be provided to allow the parrot to sharpen their beak and claws.

Lorikeets naturally eat pollen, nectar, flowers and fruit. Seeds and insects play a minor part of their diet. In captivity, a mix can be made from Farax (baby cereal), warm water, honey and vegemite. They also need fresh greens, apple/pear and fresh gum leaves and branches.

Parrots are very valuable on the black market. Even containing them for a short period of time can pose a legal problem if you are unlicensed. In addition, they die from shock very easily. It is best to keep these birds overnight only if necessary, and take them to a wildlife licensee as soon as possible.

For an overnight stay a birdcage is ideal housing for these birds. For direct transport a birdcage or shoebox is ideal. Keep the bird in a dark environment and minimize handling to alleviate stress.

5. Large parrots, e.g. Galahs, Cockatoos

Many people own galahs or cockatoos and as a result it is difficult to maintain boundaries over whom can keep these animals. If you find a large parrot such as a galah or electus there are several people you should contact. If the bird is obviously tame - i.e. it has a band, or talks it obviously belongs to someone. Trying to find the owner can be achieved through animal shelters (contact us) or by checking lost and found advertisements. If the owner cannot be contacted or you are unsure if it is tame contact us. There is only one person in Victoria at this stage who is legally allowed to look after such birds and we will direct you to him. If the bird is definitely wild it must be redirected to a wildlife licensee. Under no condition can you keep the bird or give it to a pet shop - they must legally obtain the bird as you do.

Until you can contact these people, the diet for large grainivores is seeds, nuts, fruit, insects, larvae and new shoots. In captivity, a cockatoo seed mix obtained from your local pet shop is ideal. They also need apple/ pear, gum tree branches, greens and soft corn.

Large parrots are best put into a large bird cage or cat box for transport. If you are stuck - two laundry baskets tied together may suffice in the car - but be careful, they can chew through almost any media very

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