Why does our wildlife need our help?

Our wildlife populations face many dangers as their habitat decreases and they are forced to live closer to us. The biggest dangers are cats, dogs, cars, poisons and loss of native habitat.

When concerned members of the public find wildlife that is sick, injured or orphaned, they look to vets and wildlife volunteers to step in and help. In a future of climate change, wildlife carers and rescuers will be more important than ever.

Save Our Wildlife Foundation Inc. (SOWFI) have partnered with NSW Wildlife Information, Rescue and Education Service Inc. (WIRES) to provide this this online Wildlife Rescue 101 course. Following completion of the online component we would like you to come to a 2-hour practical application workshop and consider volunteering for SOWFI as a Wildlife Rescuer or as part of our Wildlife Ambulance crew.

Wildlife 101 Practical Course Outline

Are you interested in becoming a wildlife volunteer?

What will you get out of it?

Learn how to rescue sick, injured or orphaned wildlife
Help with research data collection
Receive mentoring and further training
Work with like minded people

Topics covered:

WHS risks involved in rescuing and transporting injured wildlife, assess injuries and contain the animal without inducing further stress or trauma
How to confidently handle animals, identify injuries and disease as well as minimise stress
Key aspects of species identification and skills and techniques to accurately determine the species that has been rescued

Assessments:

Each module will have a range of quizzes to which the answers can be found within the theory chapters. To be deemed competent in the online component of this course, all quizzes must be completed. A total score of 75% must be achieved, multiple attempts for the quizzes will be available. A Completion Certificate will be issued at the completion of the course via the online learning portal.

An email with you login details to the online learning portal will be sent to you 3-days prior to practical workshop. Ideally, you will complete the online component prior to attending the 2-hour practical.

Requirement of a volunteer wildlife rescuer:

A current drivers licence and a car
Ability to commit your time – includes leaf collection, regular milk feed schedule, cleaning enclosures

The costs for helping sick, injured or orphaned wildlife include:

equipment such as lockable baskets, net, thick gloves
petrol costs for going on rescues and driving to collect leaf
a smartphone and or a computer for data collection

If this is not for you but you still want to help we also need help with:

Volunteers to collect gum leaf for other carers
Fundraising
Writing for or monitoring social media
Grant writing
Approaching potential sponsors

Field practical will run from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm.

09:45am Registration.

PURCHASE TICKET NOW - LIMITED PLACES - 30 people max per course

Ticket sales end Wed 20th Aug 2025, 12:00 PM ACST

Course cost $70 includes your SOWFI annual membership.

Woorabinda Education Centre, Stirling

We hope at the end of the session you would like to commit to becoming an active member and contributing to our vision to be the leading organisation in the wildlife rescue and rehabilitation sector in South Australia.

Event Queries - text Bridget - 0473 173 822