Raptors WILDLIFE CARE GUIDELINES: CARING FOR SICK, INJURED AND ORPHANED
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PA R K S AND WIL DL IF E COM M ISSION OF TH E N ORTH ER N TE R R ITORY
WILDLIFE CARE GUIDELINES:
CARING FOR SICK, INJURED AND ORPHANED
Raptors
J ULY 2 0 1 4
BACKGROUND
Raptors may need rehabilitation for around water—such as the sea eagle and osprey—are
many reasons. For example, a fledgling susceptible to injuries caused
may be injured falling from a nest or a by entanglement in fishing line.
bird may be wounded in an escape from
a predator. However, the most common The Tiwi Islands masked owl (Tyto novaehollandiae
reasons for a raptor to come into care melvillensis) is considered endangered in the
are as a direct result of increased Northern Territory. The grey falcon (Falco hypoleucos),
urbanisation, such as vehicle strike red goshawk (Erythrotriorchis radiates) and Top End
and domestic animal attack. masked owl (Tyto novaehollandiae kimberli) are considered
vulnerable in the Northern Territory. If you encounter any
Raptors that have an ‘attack’ of these species, report it to Parks and Wildlife Commission
hunting style—such as goshawks, of the NT immediately.
sparrowhawks, harriers, hobbies,
kestrels and falcons—are more likely Please note: this information should be used as a guide
to suffer from direct collisions with only. Species-specific information is necessary to properly
fences, windows and power lines. care for injured and orphaned wildlife.
Raptors that scavenge for food—such
as eagles, buzzards and kites—are
prone to being struck by vehicles while
foraging along roads. Raptors that hunt
Wildlife Care Guidelines I Page 2
Wildlife Care Guidelines I Page 3
RESCUING AND RELEASING ANIMALS
IN THE NORTHERN TERRITORY
If an animal is old enough to be independent of its The animal’s survival is dependent on its physical
mother and any injuries are minor, it should be returned health, behaviour and ability to adapt to the wild.
to the wild as soon as possible. After even a few weeks An animal unlikely to survive must not be released.
in captivity, it’s possible for a rescued animal to adapt When receiving an animal, a carer must assess whether
to human contact to the point where it’s unable to or not it’s likely to be suitable for release. This then
survive in the wild if it’s released without appropriate informs an appropriate treatment and care plan.
rehabilitation.
Related reading:
Releasing long-term captive animals is rarely justified • ‘Procedures for wildlife carers’
on conservation or animal welfare grounds. There’s little www.parksandwildlife.nt.gov.au/wildlife
conservation value in releasing a common animal back
to the wild, particularly if it’s behaviourally, physically or • ‘Criteria for determining when to rehabilitate,
otherwise impaired. release or euthanise injured and orphaned wildlife’
www.parksandwildlife.nt.gov.au/wildlife
The rehabilitation and release of a rescued animal must
• ‘Wildlife first aid’ flowchart, page 5.
be carefully planned and take environmental factors
and the animal’s suitability for release into account.
Wildlife Care Guidelines I Page 4
PERMITS OTHER LEGISLATION
All native wildlife is protected in the Northern Territory All animals in the Northern Territory must be cared for
(Section 43, Territory Parks and Wildlife in accordance with the Animal Welfare Act.
Conservation Act).
To legally care for any wildlife in the Northern Territory,
you must hold a ‘Permit to Keep Protected
Wildlife’ (Carer).
This permit does not allow the holder to keep native
animals permanently.
You must adhere to all permit conditions, including the
requirement to provide records and reports.
CARER RESPONSIBILITIES
Hand-rearing and rehabilitating wildlife requires escapes, break-ins (e.g. by dogs or snakes) and
experience. Inexperienced carers should have a mentor cross-infection. Carers must also consider any
until they can develop the experience they need. impacts a wildlife care facility may have on their
Carers must have: neighbours—check local by-laws and planning
• an understanding of the biology of wildlife requirements for your responsibilities.
• proven experience with wildlife or an experienced
Hand-rearing and rehabilitating wildlife can be intensive
mentor
and time consuming. Carers’ work is voluntary and
• sound knowledge of species, feeding regimes,
costs for food, bedding, cages, equipment and
dehumanising, etc
veterinary attention may be high.
• an understanding of the principles of wildlife
rehabilitation. While orphaned young need interaction with their carer
to meet their physical and psychological needs during
It’s important that carers understand the animal’s care, this interaction must be progressively reduced as
requirements and can provide suitable facilities before the animal is prepared for release back into the wild.
it’s released. Cages and enclosures must be the Carers must understand the purpose of their work is
right size for the animal/s and have adequate shelter. rehabilitation for release, not creating dependent pets
Security is important—enclosures must prevent or captives.
FIRST AID
The following flowchart demonstrates the steps to be taken in the initial assessment, application of first aid
and decision for ongoing rehabilitation and release of an injured or orphaned animal:
Ensure personal safety.
Assess animal for life-threatening processes.
Gather circumstantial information.
Animal has poor chance of survival due
Animal is likely to be suitable for release. to severe injury, excessive stress, early
developmental stage or disease.
Apply first aid to address life threatening
conditions (i.e. stop blood flow, stabilise Humanely euthanise.
injury, provide warmth, rehydrate).
Apply first aid to reduce stress (i.e. place
animal in a secure holding box, move
into warm, quiet place).
Seek veterinary attention.
Seek experienced carer advice
and direction.
Animal is likely to be Animal has poor
suitable for release. chance of survival
due to severe injury,
excessive stress, early
developmental stage
Rehabilitate. or disease.
Release. Humanely euthanise.
Wildlife Care Guidelines I Page 5
HOUSING
Enclosures must be appropriate for the animal and In pre-release enclosures, the bigger the better.
maintained to ensure the safety of the animal and the Pre-release enclosures must give the raptor the
carer, their family and other pets or animals in care. opportunity to self-exercise. Open-plan flight aviaries
constructed from loosely hung nylon mesh are
Raptors should be housed in a quiet, secure location preferable. Care must be taken to ensure the lower
away from family pets. Excessive noise should never part of the enclosure is predator proof. Ideally, fences
be allowed close to raptors. This includes general should have a 1m flat skirt section on the outside to
household noise, traffic, domestic animals and stop predators digging to access the enclosure.
construction noise. Keep the flight paths clear in the aviary. Planted aviaries
provide good shelter and enrichment opportunities and
Intensive care enclosures should be set up to allow a natural floor surface provides foraging opportunities.
for the stabilisation of injuries, assist feeding and the Different types of perches should be placed around the
application of medication. Raptors in intensive care enclosure. High perches are sought after by healthy
should be housed separately. For smaller raptors, raptors. However, low perches are required by those
there are commercially made heavy-duty plastic boxes still undergoing rehabilitation.
that can be easily cleaned and disinfected and moved
around easily. For larger raptors, custom-made wooden Don’t use wire mesh in raptor rehabilitation—it causes
boxes that have been surface-sealed to make them feather damage, which extends rehabilitation periods.
waterproof for easy cleaning and disinfecting are ideal.
Recommended enclosure sizes:
Secondary care enclosures should allow for some
• Small raptors: 25m in length.
movement to maintain/build fitness. The enclosure
• Large raptors: 50m in length.
should be sealed and the raptor should have some
access to natural light. The floor should be made of
Large flight aviaries are the easiest way for raptors
sealed, cleanable material. Depending on the raptor’s
to achieve fitness and other behavioural conditioning
mobility, various perches are needed around the
such as foraging. It should be noted however, that
enclosure. Don’t use smooth branches because they
large flight aviaries is not the only acceptable technique
can cause calluses and foot sores. Wrap the perch
for pre-release preparation. Falconry-based training
in materials like hemp rope or astroturf to create a
techniques such as free flying and creancing (tethering
textured surface. The raptor’s talons should not be
the bird by the leg), may be used for pre-release
able to completely encircle the circumference of the
conditioning, assessment and release. These are
perch. Secondary care enclosures are ideal for
complicated techniques that must only be undertaken
nervous species such as goshawks, and release
by experienced and skilled carers. Pre-approval must
can be done from this type of enclosure if the raptor
be sought from Parks and Wildlife Commission of the
is in short-term care.
NT to undertake this practice.
Wildlife Care Guidelines I Page 6
Wildlife Care Guidelines I Page 7 FEEDING The ideal diet for any raptor is as close In the Territory Parks and Wildlife Conservation Act, the term to its natural diet as possible. Quail, ‘protected wildlife’ includes any native flora or fauna that is rodents and pigeons are good choices. living, deceased, or parts thereof. Because taking, interfering Day-old chickens as a main dietary or possessing protected wildlife is illegal without appropriate source are nutritionally inadequate authorisation, collecting road kill for use as a food source and should strictly be used only as can only be done with authorisation from Parks and Wildlife a supplement. Commission of the NT. For adults of a normal weight for their sex and species, feed the appropriate amount once per day. For orphaned raptor chicks: • Chicks aged 1–10 days: a minced, skinned rodent with head, feet and intestines removed. Feed every two hours and only feed if the crop is totally empty. • Chicks aged 10–15 days: a chopped, skinned rodent with head, feet and intestines removed. Feed every four hours and only feed if the crop is totally empty. • Chicks aged 15–25 days: a whole skinned rodent or plucked quail. Ad-lib regime. Never re-use food that has not been eaten and do not re-freeze frozen food. Only feed out enough for one meal, and ensure food is at room temperature before feeding.
Wildlife Care Guidelines I Page 8
WATER
Raptors need fresh water that’s changed daily.
Raptors need to drink and bathe:
• Large raptors: a pool no more than 300mm deep
at the deepest point.
• Small raptors: a pool 100mm deep at the
deepest point.
CAPTURE, RESTRAINT AND HANDLING
Raptors, particularly large raptors, may be dangerous animals. In defending themselves they may kick out and
scratch with their powerful talons and inflict painful bites. Capture requires experienced carers.
During capture, take care not to injure or restrict breathing by holding raptors too tight (Walraven, 1999). It’s also
important not to stress the raptor. In many cases it’s best to wait until you have the right equipment or ideal timing
to minimise the risk and impact of stress.
Two people may be needed to capture an injured raptor. The first person approaches the bird quietly from the front,
while the second person holding a net, towel or blanket, approaches from behind. Throw the net, towel or blanket over
the raptor. Secure the raptor in the towel or blanket, which will minimise further injury. Cover the raptor’s head
to reduce stress.
Limit handling raptors to the shortest time possible.
Wildlife Care Guidelines I Page 9
TRANSPORTATION
Acceptable methods for containing raptors during transport are: Don’t use wire mesh enclosures when transporting
raptors—it causes feather damage, which extends
• A solid wooden box that’s been surface-sealed and allows
rehabilitation periods.
the bird to perch upright but only allows for minimal
movement to prevent injury.
Raptors need to be kept warm (25–27°C). Featherless
• A pet pack with perching material that allows the bird young need higher temperatures of approximately 36°C.
to perch upright but only allows for minimal movement
to prevent injury. Keep noise to a minimum—that means turning off the car
• A thick cardboard box with perching material that allows radio. Warm, dark, quiet environments minimise stress
the bird to perch upright but only allows for minimal during transportation.
movement to prevent injury.
RELEASE
Rehabilitated raptors are ready for release when they • Demonstrate proper foraging behaviour (i.e. ability
meet all of the following criteria: to recognise, source and harvest food).
• Be in perfect feather condition, with no broken or missing • Demonstrate normal species behaviour (e.g. not
feathers other than those that have been naturally improperly imprinted, appropriate nest construction,
moulted out. ability to define territory).
• Be able to negotiate the full length of the enclosure • Be of correct age for independent survival. In the case
in level flight. of foster care, must be positioned within appropriate
social group.
• Be able to use both legs and have perfect vision.
• Be of correct weight for that sex, species, age and season.
• Demonstrate recovery from the original injury or
from injuries incurred while in care. • Possess pelage, scales, skin or plumage that is adequate
for that species to survive.
• Be no longer in need of medical care.
• Exhibit waterproof pelage/plumage sufficient for that species.
• Exhibit no signs of active disease.
• Demonstrate an appropriate level of physical fitness. Wherever possible, a rehabilitated animal must be released
• Exhibit locomotive skills necessary for that species where it was found—in the animal’s normal habitat and
to survive. where those animals are ordinarily found in the wild. Doing
• Navigate in a complex environment. this minimises the unnatural spread of parasites, diseases
and genetic material among wild populations and maximises
• Demonstrate an appropriate fight or flight
the animal’s chance of survival.
behavioural response.
HEALTH AND DISEASE
In caring for all wildlife species, there’s a significant risk • Make sure you’re up to date with vaccinations (especially
that the act of caring for them may actually spread disease. tetanus). Wildlife carers that handle bats should have
Disease can affect human health, domestic animal health pre-exposure rabies vaccination for lyssavirus.
and biodiversity. Some diseases have had devastating • If you become pregnant, talk to your doctor about how
consequences on entire species (such as chytrid in frogs), to care for wildlife safely during pregnancy.
and others have been fatal to humans (such as lyssavirus,
which is transferred from bats). Some of the diseases that can be transferred to humans
to be aware of are:
Follow these practices to reduce the potential for animals
to contract parasites or disease: • Reptiles: Salmonella, Mycobacterium and
Cryptosporidium.
• Maintain good hygiene. Clean enclosures and equipment
• Birds: Salmonella, Psittacosis (Chlamydiophila psittaci)
regularly with proper cleaning/sterilising agents.
and Mycobacterium.
• Maintain a low-stress environment.
• Mammals: Salmonella, Ringworm, Sarcoptic mange,
• Isolate new animals in a separate area (quarantine) until Q Fever, Toxoplasmosis.
their health status can be determined.
• Bat Viruses: Lyssavirus, Menangle and Hendra virus.
• Quarantine sick animals throughout the period of their
rehabilitation. Handling raw meat, including post mortems of native
• Care for as few animals as possible. mammals, is considered a route of transmission.
• Keep animals of different species separate.
Wildlife carers are an important source of wildlife health
• Do not combine animals that come from different areas.
information and knowledge, and contribute much to
• Keep wildlife quarantined from pets and domestic animals, increased awareness and monitoring diseases. If you
particularly related species (e.g. wild and pet parrots). see any signs of disease that are unusual or clusters of
• Only care for island species on their island of origin, not wildlife deaths, please contact your vet, Parks and Wildlife
on the mainland. Island species are especially vulnerable Commission of the NT or Wildlife Health Australia.
to disease. If they’re transferred to the mainland, they
must not be returned to the island of origin. It’s beyond the scope of these guidelines to note specific
health issues. For any animal health-related concerns,
Diseases can be transmitted between humans and animals contact your vet. For any human health-related concerns,
(these are called ‘zoonoses’). Doing the following will reduce contact your doctor.
the likelihood of this happening:
• Wear gloves.
• Follow the handling techniques explained on page 8.
Wildlife Care Guidelines I Page 10Wildlife Care Guidelines I Page 11
EUTHANASIA
Where possible, the decision to euthanise and the euthanasia
itself should be undertaken by a vet. When this isn’t possible,
it’s recommended that euthanasia is carried out following the
standards set out in the ‘AVMA Guidelines for the Euthanasia
of Animals’, 2013 edition www.avma.org/KB/Policies/
Documents/euthanasia.pdf
Related reading:
• ‘Criteria for determining when to rehabilitate, release or
euthanise injured and orphaned wildlife’
www.parksandwildlife.nt.gov.au/wildlife
FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
Wildlife Operations, Darwin Wildlife Operations, Alice Springs
564 Vanderlin Drive, Berrimah NT 0828 Tom Hare Building,
PO Box 496, Palmerston NT 0830 South Stuart Highway
Tel: (08) 8995 5008 Alice Springs NT 0870
Mob: 0401 115 702 PO Box 1120, Alice Springs NT 0871
Tel: (08) 8951 8250
Wildlife Operations, Katherine
Mob: 0401 115 731
32 Giles Street, Katherine NT 0850
PO Box 344, Katherine NT 0851
Tel: (08) 8973 8888
Mob: 0419 828 487REFERENCES
Naidbitt, R & Holz, P. 2004. Captive Raptor Management & Rehabilitation. Hancock House Publishers Ltd. Blaine, WA.
Everybird: A guide to Bird Health. 1994. Macwhirter, P. (ed). Reed International Books Australia Pty Ltd, Inkata Press,
Chatswood, Australia. 190 pp.
Parsons, H. 2007. Caring for Australian Native Birds. Kangaroo Press, NSW, Australia. 167 pp.
Walraven, E. 1999. Care of Australian Wildlife. New Holland Publishers (Australia) Pty Ltd, Sydney, 140 pp.
White, S. 1997. Caring for Australian Wildlife: A practical guide to the captive management of Australian native animals.
Australian Geographic Pty Ltd. NSW, Australia, 152 pp.
Information is gathered for this section from Care of Australian Native Birds (Parsons, 2007).
Wildcare Australia website. www.wildcare.org.au/html/birds
South Australian Government website. www.environment.sa.gov.au/parks
Guidelines developed by Tess Cooper, Wildlife Ranger, Parks and Wildlife Commission of the Northern Territory.
Photos supplied by Michael J Barritt and Damien Stanioch.
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