The Gold Coast is home to a diverse range of native plants and animals. While people and wildlife usually coexist peacefully, there may be times when animals need assistance or become a nuisance.
Injured or orphaned wildlife
If you find an orphaned, sick or injured animal, stay calm and assess the situation.
Get help
Contact:
You can also take injured wildlife to Currumbin Wildlife Hospital if you can safely transport the animal.
Handling wildlife safely
- Do not handle flying-foxes or bats. Contact Bats QLD on 0447 222 889.
- If a young bird has fallen from its nest, check whether its parents are nearby before intervening.
- Small animals can be placed in a box and kept in a quiet, dark place away from children and pets.
- Larger animals can be contained in a box or washing basket to help keep them calm.
How to report a deceased animal
Council parks, along footpaths or roads:
After-hours callers will be redirected to the emergency service.
Motorways and highways
Contact the Department of Transport and Main Roads on 13 19 40.
Nuisance native animals
Native animals share our suburbs, parks and open spaces. Some species may display nuisance behaviours, such as swooping or damaging plants, but they are an important part of our local environment.
Native wildlife is protected under the Nature Conservation Act 1992.
We do not remove the following animals from private property:
- Magpies and butcherbirds
- Possums
- Snakes
- Wild pigeons
If these animals are causing problems, contact a qualified private contractor.
Information on coexisting with wildlife such as swooping birds, possums and brush turkeys can be found on the Queensland Government website.
Flying foxes
Flying-foxes are protected wildlife, and penalties apply for unlawfully disturbing them. For advice and information visit the Flying foxes page.
Magpies and butcher birds
Swooping birds can pose a risk to public safety. Visit Report a Problem – Animals for information about avoiding attacks or reporting incidents.
Snakes
It is illegal to kill, injure or remove snakes from the wild.
If you encounter a snake:
- stay calm and keep your distance
- allow the snake to move away on its own
- ·never attempt to catch or kill it.
To remove a snake from private property contact a licensed snake catcher.
If a snake on Council land poses a risk to public safety call:
Keeping native wildlife
Queensland's native animals are protected by law. You may need a native animal keeping licence to keep certain birds, reptiles or amphibians.
For information about licences and permits: