Wildlife Rescue

To report sick or injured Phillip Island wildlife:

PHONE

7:30am to 4pm daily - contact the Nature Parks on 5951 2800 and select Option 2.

or contact Wildlife Victoria any time on 8400 7300. Wildlife Victoria lines are open 24/7, 365 days a year.

ONLINE

HELP FOR INJURED WILDLIFE - ONLINE TOOL  

Help for Injured Wildlife is a web-based tool created by the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP) that provides the general public with relevant contact details and information to help when they encounter sick, injured or orphaned wildlife in Victoria. 

Please see Help for Injured Wildlife FAQs here

Cases can also be logged at: wildlifevictoria.org.au 

IN PERSON 

Sick or Injured wildlife can be taken to the Penguin Parade Visitor Centre until closing time (approx 2 hours after sunset) or to the Local Vets before 5.30pm 

GENERAL INFORMATION

  • Phillip Island Nature Parks runs a Wildlife Clinic, specialising in seabirds which we take in from across the state
  • The Wildlife Clinic can only accept other wildlife indigenous to the island, eg wallabies, echidna, possums etc
  • The Wildlife Clinic is unable to accept or attend to snakes or flying foxes/fruit bats, or wildlife not indigenous to Phillip Island such as wombats and kangaroos
  • Permit restrictions do not allow the Wildlife Clinic to accept seals for rehabilitation
  • Trained staff are on call from 7:30am to 4pm daily to attend wildlife rescue calls.

Please click here for updates on wildlife currently being monitored by Phillip Island Nature Parks rangers, and information on our wildlife protection programs.  

Approaching seals
Seals often "haul out" to lie on beaches or other areas to rest or moult, moving between land and sea of their own accord. This is normal behaviour, and is especially prevalent over the summer months as the seal pups have been weaned and are fending for themselves. Sometimes they can also look injured when they are actually not. For example, seals secrete a watery substance from their eyes which is often mistaken for crying or an injury, but it is a natural mechanism to protect their eyes.Seals are also regularly bitten or scratched by other seals. Such wounds heal quickly and don't need human help.

What to do if you see a seal on the beach:
• Leave it alone and maintain a distance of least 30 metres to allow the seal to rest
• Keep dogs restrained and at least 50m away from the seal to avoid frightening or injuring it
• Do not feed the seal as it may become habituated to humans and unable to fend for itself in the wild
• Do not attempt to move the seal back into the water or throw water over it – they can self-regulate their body temperature