Vet Register

The Newsletter of the Veterinary Surgeons Board of Queensland

From the September 2001 edition...

Care of injured wildlife by veterinarians

The Board has sought up-to-date information from the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) on the obligations imposed on veterinarians to provide care for orphaned, sick or injured protected wildlife.

The Board also sought that agency's views on whether Government should be providing funds for compensation to veterinarians treating sick and injured wildlife presented to them by persons unwilling or unable to cover the cost of the necessary veterinary treatments.

Following for your information are extracts from responses received from the Parks and Wildlife Service.

Legislative provisions

(Extract QPWS letter 19.01.99)

The Nature Conservation Act 1992 states that it is an offence to take, use or keep a protected animal without a licence or permit. Most vertebrate native wildlife in Queensland is protected and includes wildlife that is threatened, rare or common.

In the case of injured and sick wildlife, the Nature Conservation Regulation 1994 provides for the keeping of an injured animal for up to 72 hours without a rescue permit. If the animal is brought in from the wild it must be returned to its natural habitat as soon as the animal is fit to live in its original habitat. If the protected animal belongs to the holder of a recreational wildlife licence a permit is not required for the animal to be brought to and from the veterinary surgeon.

If the veterinary surgeon decides in a professional capacity that an injured animal, which is otherwise unlicensed, needs to be kept for longer than 72 hours application must be make for a rescue permit. These permits can be obtained from the National Parks and Wildlife Service. Alternatively either written or oral notice can be given to a conservation officer who is an officer of the Department. 

The departmental officer can advise the veterinarian to either obtain a permit, release the animal or otherwise deal with the animal.

Veterinary practitioners have the power to euthanase a protected animal according to their professional judgement or under the instruction of a conservation officer. They are not liable for an offence if this course of action is taken.'

Code of practice

(Extract QPWS Letter 24.05.99)

'The Code of Practice for the Care of Orphaned, Sick or Injured Protected Animals recognises the expertise of veterinarians and requires wildlife carers to seek the assistance of a veterinary practitioner in some cases. However, there is no legal obligation on practitioners to treat protected wildlife or do so without receiving reimbursement. Most wildlife care volunteer groups and wildlife carers have well established contacts with veterinary practitioners in their area and often have donated funds available to cover veterinary costs. When funds are not available there is only an ethical obligation on the veterinary practitioner to provide a service.

In regard to native animals brought into a practice by a member of the general public (i.e. a person who has the animal within the 72 hour 'window' afforded by the legislation when no permit is required for protected wildlife) it is at the discretion of the practitioner to treat the animal or otherwise refer the animal to the RSPCA or a wildlife care group.

The Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service aims to ensure the conservation and humane treatment of all protected animals and if a veterinary practitioner can help in this regard it would be greatly appreciated. Unfortunately, the Government is not in a position to compensate practitioners for costs incurred in the treatment of sick or injured protected animals.'