Main Content
Capturing Native Animals
All native animals are protected under the National Parks and Wildlife Act (1974) and cannot be captured without a license. However, if a resident is having difficulty with a native animal on their property, the Office of Environment and Heritage (OEH) recommends the resident call the Australian Wildlife Rescue Organisation (WIRES) or Sydney Wildlife Rescue Service who can arrange volunteers, who are trained and licensed to capture native animals, to assist. If the animal is inside the house/shed etc, the resident may open the door and wait until the animal leaves of its own accord. If the animal does not leave on its own accord, the resident is to keep the animal enclosed (i.e. by shutting doors, windows etc) until help arrives from WIRES or Sydney Wildlife.
Please be aware that the volunteer rescue services will not relocate (usually no more than 50m) and particularly not a bandicoot due to their significance in the area and their behaviour. Bandicoots are territorial animals with a burrow and family/social unit around them and they would fair badly if removed from their familiar surround. Thus, a wildlife carer cannot guarantee the animal will not return and the resident must take appropriate measures to ensure the animal cannot regain access.
For possums in the roof, a licence is required to catch them and this is easily obtained from NPWS Offices. Possums must be released back onto your property and not taken to another location to be released. Further information may be found on the OEH's website. This includes information on blocking up roof and making an alternative possum box.
If you would like to further discuss the issue of capturing native animals on your property, please call Council or contact OEH directly.
Contacts
- WIRES 1300 094 737
- Sydney Wildlife Rescue Service 9413 4300
- National Parks and Wildlife Office (Northern Beaches) 02 9451 3479
Updated: 05 Dec 2011