This is the advice Kylee Donkers, co-owner of emergency rescue service and licensed wildlife shelter Dutch Thunder Wildlife, gave when asked what motorists should do if they hit an animal on the road.
According to Ms Donkers, who attended 36 suspected road strikes in April alone, the stretch of road between the Murray Valley Hwy/Goulburn Valley Hwy intersection through to the roundabout in Tocumwal is notorious for animal collisions.
The Murray Valley Hwy between Echuca and Wodonga also has a high number of collisions.
Ms Donkers said that if a driver hit an animal they must report it regardless of whether it was alive, injured or had flown or fled from the scene.
“Animals can flee a scene after being hit and die a slow, painful death. Volunteer rescuers are trained to track and search for injured wildlife,” she said.
“Each state will have a statewide number that can be called for wildlife, but you are better off contacting your local wildlife group, who know the area.”
Though it is natural for people to want to render assistance to an injured animal, Ms Donkers warned against rushing in to help, as injured animals could be dangerous or otherwise carry diseases.
“Never approach an animal until you have spoken to and gotten advice from an experienced wildlife rescuer,” Ms Donkers said.
“If it is safe to do so you can use a towel or blanket to pick up and contain small animals (such as birds, turtles or possums) and transport them to the closest wildlife shelter or vet.”
Many of Australia’s animals have pouches to carry their young, including kangaroos and wallabies, koalas and wombats, and Ms Donkers again advised caution, as untrained people with no instructions could easily injure a joey, for example.
“You can check to see if it is carrying a joey but this isn't as easy as it may seem, so again, call a wildlife group for advice,” she said.
Ms Donkers emphasised it was illegal to euthanise an animal you had just hit, and said all animals must be assessed by an experienced person, who would then take the appropriate steps.
As for how to avoid avoid collisions with wildlife, Ms Donkers said drivers should slow down when travelling through known wildlife corridors and when travelling between dusk and dawn, and drive to conditions.
“Smoke, fog or heavy rain can cause wildlife to become disorientated,” Ms Donkers said.
Should you accidentally hit an animal you can call Dutch Thunder Wildlife Rescue on its 24/7 wildlife hotline, 0417 560 910.
“Our service covers north-central Victoria and southern central NSW,” Ms Donkers said.
“People can also call this number from other areas and we can refer them to their closest wildlife group.”
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