National Emergency Response and Recovery
WIRES, Wildlife Information, Rescue and Education Service, is the largest wildlife rescue organisation in Australia, focused 100% on improving outcomes for Australian wildlife. WIRES has been actively rescuing, rehabilitating, and working to preserve Australian wildlife for over 35 years.
Post the Black Summer fires WIRES key objectives have been to increase national rescue and rehabilitation capacity, improve emergency wildlife response capability, and support species and habitat recovery projects. WIRES has collaborated extensively with government agencies, rescue organisations and research institutions to implement programs designed to improve rescue response, deliver best-practice rehabilitation outcomes, and support the long-term protection and conservation of native habitat and native species.
IMPROVING EMERGENCY RESPONSE
WIRES operates Australia's largest wildlife rescue office receiving over 180,000 calls to our 1300 094 737 number per annum. The rescue team has been expanded and is available 24/7 to assist the community nationally with wildlife information and rescue advice. WIRES works closely with the community, vets and rescue organisations around Australia to help rescue and rehabilitate sick, injured and orphaned native animals.
WIRES has also developed a professional Emergency Response Team (ERT) with full-time Emergency Responders in QLD, NSW and TAS working closely with local volunteers to manage the high volumes of rescues during emergency situations. In NSW, WIRES has over 3,800 volunteers involved in wildlife rescue and rehabilitation. In addition, WIRES is supporting wildlife organisations in QLD, NSW, SA and TAS with access to WIRES rescue communications platform to help facilitate faster rescues.
Key initiatives include:
- Expanding WIRES Rescue Office to enable the fastest possible responses to calls 24/7
- Growing WIRES dedicated Emergency Response Team so that more trained staff and volunteers are available for urgent rescues and major disasters
- Improving animal welfare outcomes
View WIRES Flood Response 2022
INCREASING RESCUE AND REHABILITATION CAPACITY
WIRES has supported hundreds of national projects to increase wildlife rescue and rehabilitation capacity, including the provision of food for wildlife in care and the purchasing of medical supplies, rescue equipment, enclosures and facilities. After the Black Summer fires WIRES initiated Emergency Relief Grants that supported 223 projects across Australia and has since launched a new five-year National Grants Program designed to provide support to the rehabilitation sector.
WIRES has created a National Training Grants Program to support rescue organisations’ access to wildlife training to improve the skills of new and existing volunteers. There is a range of new courses planned for release in 2022. WIRES is also working closely with research institutions to identify and support programs to improve rehabilitation and release outcomes.
Key initiatives include:
- Increasing national access to best-practice wildlife training courses
- Supporting the rehabilitation sector with access to food for wildlife in care
- Implementing strategic initiatives to increase long-term rescue and rehabilitation capacity
View WIRES Training Grants Program, WIRES & Woolworths Programs and WIRES National Grants Program
SUPPORT SPECIES AND HABITAT RECOVERY PROJECTS
Australia has the worst mammal extinction rate in the world and the series of unprecedented disaster events in recent years have taken an enormous toll on native species. We have experienced horrific droughts, fires, floods and extreme weather and scientists have confirmed that we will continue to experience more frequent, intense extreme weather events due to climate change. Long term and short-term solutions are needed to help native species recover from these disasters and reduce their future risk, and WIRES is collaborating with leading research institutions, government agencies and environment organisations, to identify the best programs and projects support national wildlife recovery, protection, preservation and conservation.
Key initiatives include:
- Initiating projects that protect and preserve native habitat and native species
- Partnering in wildlife conservation programs and projects to mitigate future risk to wildlife
- Supporting critical habitat and threatened species recovery programs
View WIRES Landcare Program, WIRES National Grants Program, WIRES Research Grants Program
EMERGENCY FUND
The catastrophic 2019/2020 bushfires took an unprecedented toll on native animals and this crisis event was preceded by one of the worst droughts in Australia's history. The fires destroyed millions of hectares of critical wildlife habitat, and there are hundreds of species at risk of extinction. WIRES established an Emergency Fund to respond nationally to these disasters and support the long-term recovery of native species. The global support of WIRES work with wildlife has already delivered enormous impact for wildlife and we have many major projects in the pipeline. Learn More
PROJECT UPDATES
First step toward National Conservation AI Network underway
The first step toward building a national conservation AI network is underway, with the WildSeek Project: Community Wildlife Intelligence Hubs... read more
Vets Beyond Borders - upskilling the veterinary sector to help wildlife
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Australian Wildlife Conservancy Project Update
Following the Black Summer bushfires WIRES provided funding to Australian Wildlife Conservancy (AWC) to support three key projects. AWC has... read more
WIRES Emergency Response Team attends the Response, Recovery and Resilience Expo
The WIRES Emergency Response Team attended the Response, Recovery and Resilience Expo, held at the Mittagong RSL on the 3rd... read more
WIRES attends the Conservation in Action Conference
The Conservation in Action Conference in Orange, NSW this month brought conservation leaders together nationwide. From presentations by government agencies... read more
50+ threatened species benefit from landmark Wildlife Grants Program
Over 50 threatened fauna species including Regent Honeyeaters, Platypus, Koalas and Greater Bilbies have benefitted from the landmark WIRES Landcare... read more
As the floods recede and access becomes possible, our teams have continued to reach into flood affected areas to rescue... read more
WIRES has developed a $1.5 million research grants program to provide support for wildlife researchers across Australia. read more
2021 WIRES National Grant Program Grantees
WIRES has announced the 67 recipients of the 2021 WIRES National Grant Program whose projects aim to improve outcomes for... read more
University of Sydney Native Wildlife Health and Disease Research Grant Update
WIRES is currently funding research at the University of Sydney School of Veterinary Science to better understand and manage wildlife... read more
NSW Flood Response November 2022
Our Emergency Response Vehicles and Emergency Response Teams (ERT) have been deployed across NSW over the last few weeks due... read more
Phillip Island Nature Parks National Grant Update
Phillip Island is home to a colony of over 1.4 million native short-tailed shearwaters! This migratory bird is protected and... read more
WIRES opens Greater Sydney’s largest purpose-built Koala Rehabilitation Centre
WIRES recently established the purpose-built Western Sydney University Koala Facility in Richmond NSW, to support our Hawkesbury branch in their... read more
Floods and Storms - Wildlife Assistance Advice
As storms and heavy rain continue to cause widespread flooding, we are receiving calls to assist animals impacted by the... read more
Flying-fox Veterinary Vaccination Grant
Updated 21st March 2022Thank you to all the veterinary practices who applied for a WIRES Flying-Fox Veterinary Vaccination Grant in... read more
WIRES extends national support for koala research
As part an ongoing commitment to protect and preserve koala species nationally, WIRES has announced a major grant to the... read more
If you work with Australian wildlife and their habitats, WIRES is interested in hearing from you! This survey will be... read more
November is Turtle Month and WIRES has announced it will be supporting more projects to address the vital conservation of... read more
To mark the official day of the Wombat, WIRES has announced a range of new initiatives to support this much... read more
Introduction to Wildlife Rehabilitation Course
To help improve wildlife rescue and rehabilitation outcomes and help more animals faster throughout Tasmania, WIRES has been working closely... read more
WIRES Launches Major Grant Program for Wildlife Sector
WIRES has announced a $5million grants program to improve outcomes for Australia’s native wildlife. WIRES National Grant Program will be... read more
WIRES Introduces National Course for Sea Turtle Rescue
To mark National Threatened Species Day WIRES has launched a Sea Turtle Rescue Course as part of its National Training... read more
National Science Week: Conservation Ecology with Aussie Ark
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NSW Rehabilitation Capacity Building Project
WIRES is undergoing a comprehensive review of wildlife rehabilitation facilities across NSW. This will lead into the biggest rehabilitation capacity... read more
Koala Health Hub | Project Update
Following the major 2019/20 bushfires, the Koala Health Hub (KHH) at the University of Sydney was the recipient of a... read more
Wildlife Research Grants Program
WIRES has announced it will fund a $1.5 million wildlife research grants program to be launched early 2022. This program... read more
WIRES Supporting ARC in Emergency Response Capacity Building
WIRES has announced $420,000 in funding for Animal Rescue Cooperative (ARC) to help improve national emergency response capabilities and provide... read more
Natural tree hollows are an increasingly scarce and valuable resource for many native species and for some they are essential.... read more
Australian Floods - Wildlife Assistance Advice
Extreme weather events can result in stress and shock for wildlife. As storms and heavy rain continue to lash Australia,... read more
RESCUE 101 – WIRES calls for more volunteers
In response to a growing number of wildlife assistance calls WIRES has launched a new volunteer program, Rescue 101, making... read more
Official Opening of Currumbin Wildlife Hospital Extension
Just 12 months ago Australia was at the end of our worst fire season in history, which followed one of... read more
In collaboration with Vets For Climate Action we are taking time to remember the 3 billion native animals affected by... read more
Australia’s outdated environmental law urgently needs overhaul
The release of the 10-year independent review of environmental laws by Professor Graeme Samuel AC is the reform Australia desperately needs... read more
Australian Bushfires Impact and Recovery
A year on from Australia’s worst bushfire season in history, WIRES and Bush Heritage Australia continue to work collaboratively across... read more
Official Opening of the Barrington Wildlife Sanctuary
Official Opening of Barrington Wildlife Sanctuary © WIRES WIRES was invited to Aussie Ark for the official opening of their... read more
WIRES Introduces Vaccination Grants Program for Veterinary Clinics
UPDATE: Applications for Round 1 have closed. Round 2 Applications are now open please visit https://www.wires.org.au/veterinary-vaccination-grants to apply WIRES... read more
Eastern Quoll Joeys © WIRESMany native Australian species were already at risk of extinction, before approximately 3 billion native animals... read more
WIRES is Preparing for the Bushfire Season
With the bushfire season fast approaching WIRES has been working on a range of initiatives and programs in preparedness for... read more
Aussie Ark Partners with WIRES in Landmark Partnership for Australian Wildlife
WIRES has granted Aussie Ark $1,045,000 to support the long-term recovery of native threatened wildlife The funds will be directed towards... read more
WIRES Launches Water for Wildlife Project
WIRES is proud to announce the Water for Wildlife collaboration that will build and distribute $1 million worth of arboreal... read more
WIRES Water for Wildlife Project
WIRES Water for Wildlife collaboration will build and distribute $1 million worth of arboreal water stations for native wildlife. The... read more
WIRES Partner with Currumbin Wildlife Hospital to Help Wildlife
Image: Steve Holland PhotographyWIRES is proud to be supporting Currumbin Wildlife Hospital, Queensland to expand its facility and be equipped... read more
WIRES and the Australian Wildlife Conservancy (AWC) have joined forces to help save threatened Australian wildlife in response to the... read more
Monday July 13 2020: WIRES and Landcare Australia have announced that 64 environmental groups across the country will benefit from... read more
WIRES uses bushfire donations to support University koala research
WIRES has announced a three-year grant to the Koala Health Hub (KHH) a University of Sydney initiative to support koala... read more
WIRES uses bushfire donations to support University koala research
WIRES has announced a three-year grant to the Koala Health Hub (KHH) a University of Sydney's School of Veterinary Science... read more
Emergency Relief Grants Overview
The first week of January 2020 was one of the worst in our history, as the ongoing tragic toll of... read more
The emergency events over the last spring and summer were some of the worst ever experienced. Many vets were inundated with... read more
WIRES and ARC Helping Wildlife
WIRES have been working closely with ARC, the Animal Rescue Cooperative, during and in the aftermath of the bushfires that... read more
WIRES Landcare Wildlife Relief and Recovery Grants Program
WIRES and Landcare Australia have joined forces in a landmark $1million partnership supporting recovery of wildlife habitats impacted by bushfire... read more
WIRES and Landcare Join Forces
WIRES and Landcare Australia are delighted to announce a landmark $1 million partnership supporting the recovery of wildlife habitats impacted... read more
Due to the tragic fires and drought surviving wildlife in the wild have been facing significant challenges. Additional access to... read more
WIRES Emergency Wildlife Relief and Recovery Plans
In the aftermath of Australia’s devastating bushfires and drought, WIRES (NSW Wildlife Information and Rescue and Education Service Inc) has... read more
The Ripper Alliance Partnership
WIRES has partnered with The Ripper Alliance investing $150,000, with the generous support of Westpac, in a six-month trial to... read more
WIRES announce 3 Million Dollars for Emergency Wildlife Rescue and Care
NSW Wildlife Information, Rescue and Education Service (WIRES) has launched two national emergency relief grants programs to support volunteers assisting... read more
After months of concurrent fires devasting Australia there are still dozens of fires burning in NSW alone. During the worst... read more
During the emergency events underway in Australia WIRES have received an overwhelming amount of calls, enquiries and offers of help from... read more
Statement from WIRES CEO, Leanne Taylor
Statement from WIRES CEO, Leanne Taylor. For immediate release, 10th January, 2020. In what has become one of Australia’s most... read more
It is with shock that we continue to face the unfolding fire and drought catastrophe in NSW and Australia. Over... read more
Emergency Donations to Help Wildlife
Updated 6th Feb During the worst drought on record, catastrophic fires have ravaged Australia for months. Over 4.9 million hectares of... read more
Emergency Wildlife Rescue Advice
NSW is again in a State of Emergency, there are currently 135 fires still burning in NSW, over 4 million... read more
Over 2 million hectares of land have been burnt, dozens of fires are still burning and we are now bracing... read more
NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian has declared a state of emergency due to the catastrophic fire conditions. The state is facing... read more
WIRES Major Wildlife Rescue, Rehabilitation and Recovery Partners
Animal Rescue Cooperative
Australian Wildlife Conservancy
AussieArk
Currumbin Wildlife Hospital
Landcare Australia
The University of Sydney