WIRES is Australia’s largest wildlife rescue organisation. WIRES has been rescuing and caring for sick, injured and orphaned native animals for over 35 years, and our mission is to actively rehabilitate and preserve Australian wildlife and inspire others to do the same.
WIRES operate a dedicated Wildlife Rescue Office assisting wildlife and the community across Australia 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, providing rescue advice and assistance for over 130,000 animals annually, as well as providing full-time mobile Wildlife Emergency Responders operating across Greater Sydney, South-East Queensland and Tasmania.
WIRES is providing significant national support for hundreds of projects to assist with wildlife rescue and rehabilitation across Australia. It is also working nationally with strategic partners to support the long-term recovery of wildlife habitat and the long-term preservation of native species in the wild.
WIRES began in 1985 in response to a glaring need for a native wildlife rescue service. At the time, no organisation, government or conservation group could take specific responsibility for native animal rescue and care. WIRES quickly established a coordinated network of wildlife carers and rescuers and officially launched as an organisation in March 1986.
WIRES rescue and cares for wildlife under a license issued by NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service and WIRES Rescue Office can be reached 365 days a year by calling 1300 094 737 or filling in our report a rescue form.
In 1992, over 14,000 rescues were conducted. By June 1997, this grew to 38,000 animal rescues state-wide. In the last financial year WIRES received over 186,000 calls to the 1300 number and provided rescue advice and assistance for over 131,000 animals.
Whilst helping hundreds of thousands of community members with wildlife advice and rescue assistance annually, WIRES also responds to requests for help from businesses, the RSPCA, zoos, government departments, local councils, and the police.
WIRES has developed a comprehensive animal database that records information on types of animals, injuries, fates and locations for rescue and release. Continuously working on ways to help rescue more animals faster, WIRES has also implemented technology that enables the Rescue Office to instantly contact every available volunteer with the right training, in the right area, about outstanding rescues, using multiple devices.
Every year WIRES train hundreds of new volunteers in wildlife rescue and care and we are dedicated to the ongoing recruitment of new volunteers and the ongoing training of existing volunteers. Training starts with the compulsory Rescue and Immediate Care Course, covering policies, licensing, animal identification, rescue and first aid.
WIRES advanced Species Courses are available for WIRES volunteers, veterinary staff and licenced members of other wildlife rescue and care organisations. Advanced courses cover; macropods, wombats, flying-foxes and microbats, reptiles, birds, birds of prey (raptors), possums and gliders and other small mammals.
WIRES is regularly requested to provide wildlife training for other organisations and professionals working with wildlife. WIRES also offers an extensive wildlife educational service to the community through our rescue office, website, social media platforms, talks to schools and community events.
For more detailed information, please review WIRES FY23 Annual Impact Report.