The NSW Wildlife Information Rescue and Education Service (WIRES) is currently receiving a large number of calls for echidnas hit and injured by cars.
The cooler weather means Echidnas are more active and travel further afield. This increased activity makes echidnas more vulnerable on the roads.
Echidnas move at a slow pace so please be alert if you are driving between dusk and dawn. If you do see an echidna on the road, it may have been hit and injuries may not be apparent. Echidnas aren’t easy animals to handle – If you can, cover the animal with a towel and move it off the road.
Please stay with the animal and call WIRES straight away. A volunteer will talk you through the situation. It is very important to note where you found the echidna as WIRES aims to return each animal to their home.
The WIRES hotline receives many calls about echidnas that have been spotted in house yards, ‘dug in’ or rolled into a ball. This is the echidna’s way of defending itself when it feels insecure and in danger. The best solution is to leave the echidna alone, remove the threat (usually the family dog) and the echidna will go on its way.
If you are keen to make a difference for the wildlife in our area, consider joining WIRES.
WIRES relies heavily on the generosity of donations, $2 and over are tax deductible. Now is a great time to join WIRES and start learning to be a wildlife rescuer. The 24-hour hotline is for all rescue, advice or membership calls in the Northern Rivers – call 02 6628 1898 or go to http://wiresnr.org/Helping.html to find out how you can help.
