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In this section

Sick or injured wildlife

Find out about what to do if you find a sick, injured or orphaned animal.

sick baby koala

Help spot H5 bird flu. 

Avoid, Record, Report: Emergency Animal Disease Hotline Ph: 1800 675 888

Bird Flu

UPDATED: 4PM 6 July 2026

H5 is the serious bird flu strain that has been circulating globally. This has now been detected in Australia with cases reported in WA, and South Australia and New South Wales. 

The Australian Government’s Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) is the lead agency managing the national response, with support from state authorities.  

At this stage, detections have been limited to wild birds, and there are no confirmed cases in poultry or impacts to the food supply.  

Sunshine Coast Council is closely monitoring the situation and will continue to share information from the relevant state and federal agencies as it becomes available. 

Current advice 

  • AVOID contact with sick or dead wild birds or wildlife and their environment. Do not touch or collect sick or dead wild birds or wildlife. 
  • RECORD what you see. If safe, record information on the number of dead birds/animals, species, location, date and time. 
  • REPORT sick or dead wild birds to the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline on 1800 675 888 (24/7) or 13 25 23.   

Further information and enquiries Visit birdflu.gov.au for the latest information. 

If you find a sick, or injured animal in need of rescue.

Please call the RSPCA on 1300-ANIMAL (1300 264 625).

Council is proud to support the below wildlife rescue/care groups and facilities through the Environment Levy. These groups can also be contacted directly for assistance with sick, injured or orphaned wildlife.

Consider your own safety first when tending to a wild animal. Learn more about helping injured wildlife including handling and transporting injured animals. Never handle flying-foxes or bats (see below). Only registered wildlife carers are permitted to keep, raise or rehabilitate native wildlife.

Marine animal strandings

Marine animal strandings

Please report sick, injured or dead turtles, dolphin, dugongs or whales to:

Report marine animals entangled in:

  • shark nets to the Shark Hotline on 1800 806 891, or
  • fishing equipment to the Department of Environment and Science on 1300 130 372.

Sick and injured flying foxes

Sick and injured flying foxes

NEVER handle flying-foxes or bats. 

Please report flying foxes in need of rescue to 1300-ANIMAL or to Bat Rescue via the WILVOS 24/7 Hotline on (07) 5441 6200 for assistance from a trained rescuer.

Lorikeet and flying fox paralysis syndromes

Lorikeet and flying fox paralysis syndromes

If you see groups of sick flying foxes or rainbow lorikeets, it could be lorikeet and flying fox paralysis syndromes.

What are these syndromes?

Both occur seasonally and occur across a similar geographic range – from Sydney to South East Queensland.

As the name suggests, they cause paralysis and paresis (along with some other symptoms in some instances) in each species ultimately resulting in death.

It is not clear yet whether the agent or process causing these syndromes are the same in each species, or even what it is in either species.

These syndromes appear to be seasonal and have a far greater prevalence around 2-3 days after heavy rainfall.

Due to this it is currently suspected to be a naturally occurring environmental toxin.

What can you do?

  • If you see a sick flying fox or lorikeet please:
    • Avoid contact with the animal. Record what you see, including the location of the animal and take photos or video if safe to do so.
    • Call the RSPCA on 1300 ANIMAL (1300 264 625). See the Qld Government website for further advice.
  • It is normal for a few animals to get sick for other reasons this time of year. An event is when multiple animals are impacted in a small area. Report events using the Flying-fox Event Report Form should you see any of the following:
    • 10 or more lorikeets in a small area e.g. under one tree
    • two or more flying foxes in a small area e.g. under one tree
  • Report to please include:
    • location – dot on a map/GPS co-ordinates
    • time and date
    • number of animals you have noticed
    • photo of animals
    • photo of surrounding area e.g. tree they are next to, fruit on the ground nearby etc.

High Pathogenicity Avian Influenze (Bird Flu)

High Pathogenicity Avian Influenze (Bird Flu)

High Pathogenicity Avian Influenza H5 Bird flu (HPAI H5N1 2.3.4.4b) has not been detected in Australia.

The Australian Government has an active preparedness and response plan to ensure early detection.

You can play a part by knowing the symptoms and reporting unusual bird deaths immediately to the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline on 1800 675 888.

DO NOT handle sick birds.

Visit the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) website for further advice or Wildlife Health Australia for FAQ’s

How do I dispose of dead wildlife on my property?

Follow the instructions from the Australian Government: public-guidance-disposal-dead-wildlife.pdf (use Link, or embed PDF)

Council does not attend or dispose of dead wildlife on private property.