Rescue

Members of the NATF Wildlife Rescue Service respond to calls from the Emergency Hotline to provide assistance for wildlife that have been injured, are sick, orphaned or distressed.
We wish to acknowledge the support of other services such as the SES, Energy Australia and the Coast Guard who are called on at times to assist in complex rescues.

 

What you can do if you find wildlife that is orphaned or sick:

* place it in a secured box, clothes basket or pillowcase
* place in a quiet, warm location
* do not feed
* contact the Hunter Wildlife Rescue (NATF) on the 24hr Emergency Hotline: 0418 628 483

 

Rehabilitation

Members of the NATF Wildlife Rescue Service are trained to provide maximum assistance to wildlife that comes into care.

This starts with seeking veterinarian assistance to assess any injuries or illnesses. Members monitor the progress of the animal, providing for its immediate needs including administration of prescribed medications, appropriate food and shelter. The aim is to ensure a quick recovery and return to the natural environment from the area in which it came, when it is healthy and able to fend for itself.

Raising orphaned young requires much time and dedication to ensure each animal develops the skills essential for long term survival in the wild. This includes learning to find or hunt natural food, finding adequate shelter, being predator proof and not being reliant on human support.

We wish to acknowledge and thank those who support NATF Wildlife Rescue Service members in rehabilitating our local wildlife, in particular our local veterinarians and Taronga Wildlife Clinic.

 

Release

“Back to the wild!”

The objective of the NATF Wildlife Rescue Service is to return all rehabilitated wildlife back to their natural environment from the area in which it came, when they are healthy and are able to fend for themselves.

 

Disaster Relief

The Hunter Wildlife Rescue (NATF) Disaster Relief Team operates search and rescue of distressed and injured wildlife after natural and man-made disasters including bushfires, storms and floods, oil spills or  heat stress events.

Members will be alerted to a potential natural disaster and to be on standby. Activation of the Hunter Wildlife Rescue (NATF) Disaster Search and Rescue Unit in in line with DPII Emergency Animal Service Plan.  The Disaster Relief Team works alongside DPII;  SES;  RFS;  NPWS;  VRA;  Energy Australia;  Local Councils;  Rangers

When DPI informs the Disaster Coordinator that the area is safe, the Disaster Communications Officer will call for volunteers from the membership to participate wildlife disaster relief including:
1.   Field search and rescue
2.  Transportation of injured wildlife to vets and approved rehabilitators
3.  Allied support ie  general assistance setting up base; picking up water and food supplies; making lunches for search and rescue volunteers and delivering to field base.
4.  Administration support and donation coordination.

Donations, monetary and in-kind, are needed in order to oversee further Search & Rescue operations of any future bush fires or other disasters. In-kind donations can include towels, sheets, socks, obsolete cages or aviaries.
Tax deductible donations to support the work of Disaster Relief can be sent to:

Friends of the Native Animal Trust Fund
PO Box 17
SHORTLAND NSW 2307.

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