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Baby
Birds
Any bird that is sick
or injured will need veterinary treatment. If a baby bird has
fallen from a nest and is uninjured the first option is to return
it to the nest and observe it for a period of time to ensure that
the mother feeds it. If the nest is too high a makeshift nest
can be made from a hanging basket or ice cream container (with
a few holes punched in the bottom to let rain water escape or
the baby will drown), place some nesting type of vegetation in
the bottom and secure the “nest” as high in the tree
as possible or on a balcony or similar, hopefully safe from predators
and in a leafy position so that the nest doesn’t get too
hot. Again the baby bird will need to be observed for a few hours
to make sure that the mother feeds it. If the mother does not
return to the baby in a few hours it must be brought into care
so contact your local wildlife organisation.
If the baby bird is a magpie, butcherbird or peewee the baby cannot
be returned to the nest as currently approximately 90% of these
babies have gape worm and must be treated. Any magpie, butcherbird
or peewee should be brought into care by a wildlife carer and
taken to a vet.
If the weather is bad,
windy or rainy or if it is too close to evening, or if you cannot
spend the necessary time observing the nest please contact your
local wildlife organisation.
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Snakes
in your Yard
Don’t panic!!!
If the snake is in your yard it may just be passing through, warming
up prior to eating or searching for food such as chooks or mice.
Snakes do not go looking for people! If the situation is distressing
you, we suggest that you keep your children, dogs and yourself
away from the snake and wait for it to move on. If the snake is
in your house, garage, swimming pool, car or school yard, or you
feel that you are at risk contact your local wildlife organisation
to obtain the names of licenced snake handlers in your area. As
removing snakes is a business for most snake handlers there may
be a charge for them to remove the snake but this can be discussed
with the snake handler.
Remember that snakes
are native animals and are protected by law.
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Possums
in your Ceiling
Possums that take up
residence in ceilings are usually brushtail possums. Keep an eye
out to watch where the possum is exiting the ceiling, which usually
occurs just on dusk or up to an hour or so after. Have your tools
ready to block the entrance to the ceiling, splash a bit of disinfectant
around and have a new home ready for the possum by putting up
a possum box high in a tree. Remember that possums only look to
human habitation because their preferred sleeping places - tree
hollows - are non-existent or already occupied.
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Possums
in Chimney
If the sides of the
chimney are smooth and do not allow the possum to climb out, and
the chimney is accessible from above, a rope or sheet secured
above and dangled down may give the possum something to grip on
and climb up. Alternatively the possum may be able to be reached
below using gloves and a towel but be careful of the claws and
teeth or may be lured into a box with some fruit. Failing all,
call your local wildlife organisation. Captured possums should
not be released until nightfall (the same applies to any noctural
animal).
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Racing
Pigeons
If you find a pigeon
that is banded contact your local racing pigeon club and provide
details of the ID number from the band if possible so that they
can locate the owner of the pigeon.
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Frogs
Frogs are better not
handled however if they are required to be handled your hands
should be clean and wet. Frog spawn, tadpoles and frogs should
not be moved. For information on frogs contact your local frog
organisation for advice. Refer to the links page in our website
for information on local frog groups.
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Bees
For information on handling
problems with bees contact your local Bee Keepers Association.
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Bandicoots
As bandicoots eat lawn
grubs and other insect pests, count your blessings that you will
not have to spray for such insects. Remember that the damage that
they do with their holes is only short term.
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Attacking
Magpies
This behaviour usually
only lasts a few weeks so try to avoid the area that the bird
is protecting for this short time. Try wearing protective clothing
and remember that they are only protecting their family just as
we humans would.
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Birds
Flying at Windows
This is usually a territorial
behaviour as the bird sees its own reflection in the window as
a rival. If one window is involved trying covering it for a short
period until the breeding season is over. Alternatively trying
placing pot plants or a screen of some sort in front of the window
to deter the bird.
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Birds
Flying Into Windows
If the bird is bleeding
or has broken bones take it immediately to your local vet. Otherwise
place the bird in a warm, dark quiet place for a couple of hours
and then take the box outside and gently open it. Often the bird
will have made a full recovery and will fly off. If it still looks
poorly it may need to go into care after being seen by a vet so
contact your local wildlife organisation.
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Ducks
in your Pool
Turn off the filtration
system or the ducklings will risk being sucked into it. Provide
a ramp or some sort of method so that the ducks can exit the pool
easily. Trying providing an alternative water source such as a
fish pond if the ducks keep returning. If you need to catch the
ducks to remove them, remember that you must catch the mother
first or she may take off and then the ducklings will be orphaned.
Ducklings do not have waterproof feathers as the mother provides
the oil for waterproofing, so if they are left wet or in water
they will die of pneumonia. Keep them warm and dry and contact
your local wildlife organisation as soon as possible.
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Eggs
on the Ground
Some birds lay their
eggs on the ground so if you find any eggs, do not disturb them.
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Birds
Trapped in a Building
Open all the exits and
keep quiet and out of the way and hopefully the bird will fly
out. If the exits are small and inaccessible and the ceiling is
high, the bird may have to be caught which can sometimes prove
to be very difficult. A long handled fishing net may help or if
the bird is a seedeater, seed may entire them to the ground to
enable them to be captured more easily.
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Nuisance
domestic or exotic animals
Contact your local council
by referring to your local telephone directory
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