SPOTTER CATCHER

I have a Development Application that says i need to have  Fauna Spotter or Koala Spottter. When should i contact them and what do they do?

If your DA states that you require a Fauna Spotter or a Koala Spotter, then they should be contact before arranging for the tree crew. They will come out to your site and assess the habitat and animal potential for the site. They will write a report outlining the clearing method, which will then need to be passed on to the tree crews. Depending on what they identify, they may recommend:pre trapping, the use of tower trucks, climbers etc to deal with existing  habitat. The Fauna Spotter will be required to be on site during the clearing to deal with any animals or habitats. They will also need to complete a final assessment report, outlining any animals killed injured or removed from the site and any mitigation actions taken on their or anyone elses part.  If a Fauna Spotter is not engaged the works will be halted until one is available. Fines for not complying with a DA directive can be hefty. Do you want to risk it?

I need to pull down a old dead tree in my yard. Do I need to have it checked for wildlife?

If you live within the defined Koala Habitat area, you are required by law to have a Koala Spotter on site during any removal or action involving a habitat tree. Habitat trees are not limited to Eucalyptus, they are defined as "a tree species identified as Angophora, Corymbia, Eucalyptus, Lophostemon and Melaleuca with a minimum trunk diameter of 10 cm at 1.3m from the ground".

Additionally hollow trees, yes old dead trees, are like apartment blocks for animal...Many reputable arborists engage Spotter-Catchers to be on site prior to and during the removal of trees with hollows or signs of wildlife. Killing or injuring wildlife is illegal. If you believe your actions may kill or injured wildlife please call and discuss this matter with us.



WILDLIFE
I have found  an injured native animal. What should i do?

If you can safely pick up the animal/bird and put it in a box, you can take it to your nearest Vet surgery. Vets don't charge to see wildlife and they will be able to get it on to a suitable carer in you area.

If you can't safely pick it up, then contact a wildlife care group which is listed under "ANIMAL WELFARE" in your Yellow Pages  phone book, or check our contact page for some numbers of Wildlife Groups.

I have found an Injured or Orphan BIRD in my yard, what should i feed it?

*Please note*  not all baby birds are Orphaned.

Some types of baby bird such as Bush Turkey Chicks are self sufficient from day one and do not need to come into care.

Other types of birds, such as ducks and Plover, have babies that can up and run from the time they hatch out. Often these chicks are inadvertently 'Kidnapped" by well meaning people. If you see one of these types of birds or any other young bird  without an obvious parent around....take the time to watch it. It may be that the parent is returning to feed the bird or is hiding nearby until you go away in order to protect it's young.

If you are concerned that the baby bird has fallen from a nest and is siting on the ground, you could try placing it in a hanging basket or similar and placing it up a nearby tree. Make sure that the parent birds can still see it and get to it.

If you do have to bring a bird into care remember that birds diets vary from one species to another and feeding the wrong type of food to a bird can cause more harm than good. Older birds can be given access to water, but DO NOT tip water down their throat, you will drown them. Birds should be placed a a secure dark box with something for them to perch or stand on. In the case of a young bird they should have a small towel or something to snuggle into. If you feel you need to put some food in for them you could put in some native flowers or fruit for them to browse.

SNAKES

Why do snakes attack?

When an animal perceives a threat, it usually displays some warning, cats- hiss, dogs - bark, but snakes don't make nosies, so their first line of defence is to strike out. Most snakes  will dash for cover if they are able to, but if cornered or they perceive the threat to be immediate, they will strike out. This is their way of saying , "Get out of my way and let me get out of here". And usually if you do move away they will disappear pretty quickly.

Are all snakes poisonous?

The word "Poisonous is a misnomer, unless you are considering eating the snake. Some snakes are venomous, which means they use venom to stun or kill their prey. However even venomous snakes can "dry bite" which means that they may bite, but not envenomate their victim. Nevertheless if you are bitten by ANY snake you should follow the SNAKE BITE procedures and seek medical advice immediately

There's a snake in my yard. Can you come and get it?

Unless the snake is IN or ON your house or is threatening the lives of your family or pets, it is best to let the snake just go on its way. Bring everyone inside, shut the doors and windows and stay well away from the snake. If it is in the house ring us IMMEDIATELY and keep a watchful eye on the snake. DO NOT attempt to capture or kill the snake. That is how people get BITTEN.

Why do SNAKE CATCHERS charge money to catch a snake? 

Snake Catching is a professional job, which includes, advertising, travel, insurances, training , etc. Any professional that comes to your house to do a job charges you..so do professional snake catchers. Professional Snake Catchers have Public Liability Insurance to cover you and your property for any injury or damage. Without insurances, YOU may be liable if the Snake Catcher is injured or damages something during the course of the capture.

Dont the Snake Catchers sell the snakes they catch?

NO!!! By Queensland law all wild caught snakes MUST be released the same day as they are captured.

Often this is the hardest part of the snake catchers job as not only do they need to safely capture the snake from your property, they also have to release that snake to a suitable habitat which will not endanger the lives of others or the snake. Licenced Snake Catcher must record their capture and release sites to submit to DERM in order to have their permits re-issued every 3- 6 months.

How can I SNAKE PROOF my dog?

There is no way to SNAKE PROOF your dog, or any other animal for that matter. Some dog trainers may use an aversion therapy technique to teach dogs to stay away from snakes, but this is not snake proofing. This merely teaches the dog to associate a snake (a fake snake) with an unpleasant experience. As it would be unethical and inhuman to use a real snake for this training, there is no guarantee that this would work in the event that the dog then encountered a real snake.

POSSUMS

I have heard noises in my roof at night? Is it a possum in my roof? Can you come and take it away?

It may be a possum, but if you hear the noise throughout the night it may be also be rats. It would be worthwhile having a look through the manhole. If you can see a large chink of daylight from inside the ceiling (in other words, there's a large hole leading to the outside world) then it is possible that you do have access and a possum may have entered.

I definitely have a possum in my roof/yard. I want it taken away.

Possums are protected native wildlife. It is illegal to move possums more that 25 meters.
Moving a possum is certain death for the possum and will not prevent another possum moving into the territory. Lock away your dogs and cats and the possum may move on of its own accord once it gets dark. If the possum has taken up residence in your house we can trap and remove it, but we need to release it into your yard. If this is the case, it's a good idea to install a possum box in an appropriate location in your yard. However to trap a possum (with a humane possum trap) you will need to ensure that the possum could not get back into your house/shed first, by blocking any holes or entry points.


I need to pull down a old dead tree in my yard. Do I need to have it checked for wildlife?

If you live within the defined Koala Habitat area, you are required by law to have a Koala Spotter on site during any removal or action involving a habitat tree. Hollow trees, yes old dead trees, are like apartment blocks for animal...Many reputable arborists engage Spotter-Catchers to be on site prior to and during the removal of trees with hollows or signs of wildlife. Killing or injuring wildlife is illegal. If you believe your actions may kill or injured wildlife please call and discuss this matter with us.