Colac Wildlife Rescue

From “Just Leave It to Die” to Freedom

When this animal was found struggling and in desperate need of help, there were people who said the easiest thing to do was “just leave it to

Through countless hours of care, patience, dedication and determination, Grant gave this animal something it wouldn’t have had otherwise — a second chance at life.

And now, after everything it has been through, that second chance has become a reality.

It has been released back into the wild. 🌿🦘

While some were prepared to walk away and let nature take its course, Grant and Megan chose compassion, effort and action. They proved that “just leave it to die” wasn’t the only option — it was simply the easiest one.

A huge thank you to Grant and Megan for refusing to give up and for putting in the time and dedication to get this animal back where it belongs.

Today, it’s free. And that’s something worth celebrating. 🖤🌿

To those who said to leave it to die: this is what happens when someone cares enough to try.


Winki Wildlife Shelter Torquay

🐾💚 A BIG THANK YOU TO THE STUDENTS AT CSC! 💚🐾

A huge thank you to the wonderful students at CSC for putting their time, creativity and care into creating possum boxes! 🥰🌿

These boxes will provide much-needed safe spaces for our local possums to shelter, rest and raise their young. 🐾🏡

It’s fantastic to see young people getting involved in wildlife conservation and learning how they can make a real difference to the animals in their community.

Your hard work and kindness will help give our local wildlife a helping hand. 🌳💚

Thank you, CSC students — you’ve done an amazing job! 👏🐾

🐾💚

🐨 BREEDING SEASON IS ON THE MOVE! 🐨

With koala breeding season underway, displaced male koalas are on the move, travelling in search of females and new territory. This can sometimes bring them into unexpected places — including our homes and garages.

Recently, a male koala was found inside a garage in Colac, after making his way into an area that was definitely not part of his usual habitat! 🐨🏠

Thankfully, he was safely assessed and relocated to suitable habitat, giving him the best chance to continue his journey and find his way through breeding season. 💚🌿

As koalas become more active and travel further during this time of year, please keep an eye out on roads, in backyards, sheds and garages. If you find a koala in an unusual or unsafe location, don’t try to handle it yourself — contact a trained wildlife rescue organisation for assistance.

Every koala matters. 💚🐨

🦠🐦 BIRD FLU: STAY INFORMED & STAY SAFE

Colac Wildlife Rescue has been responding to multiple requests involving sick and injured birds, and we want to remind everyone to take extra care when encountering unwell or deceased wildlife.

🚫 Please do not handle sick or dead birds unless you are trained and appropriately equipped.
🐕 Keep dogs and other pets away from affected birds.
🧼 Wash your hands thoroughly after contact with birds or their environment.
📞 Report sick or dead birds to the appropriate wildlife or animal health authorities.

We know it can be heartbreaking to see wildlife in distress, but please don’t put yourself or others at risk trying to help.

🐦 Colac Wildlife Rescue continues to respond to calls for assistance and help wildlife wherever possible.

Please share to spread awareness.

🐦❤️

🐍 𝐒𝐍𝐀𝐊𝐄 𝐂𝐀𝐓𝐂𝐇𝐄𝐑 𝐂𝐎𝐋𝐀𝐂 — 𝐊𝐄𝐄𝐏𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐘𝐎𝐔 𝐒𝐀𝐅𝐄 𝐅𝐎𝐑 𝐎𝐕𝐄𝐑 𝟓 𝐘𝐄𝐀𝐑𝐒! 🐍

🔸 Serving the Otway Ranges, Bellarine, Surf Coast & The Great SouthWest — Snake Catcher Colac is here to help when you need us most — day or night, all year round.

🚨 𝗪𝗛𝗬 𝗖𝗛𝗢𝗢𝗦𝗘 𝗦𝗡𝗔𝗞𝗘 𝗖𝗔𝗧𝗖𝗛𝗘𝗥 𝗖𝗢𝗟𝗔𝗖?

🔸 Fully licensed and authorised by the Conservation Regulator, providing professional and responsible wildlife management services.

🔸 Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

🔸 Over 5 years of experience locating, safely handling and removing some of Australia’s most dangerous snakes.

🔸Your safety and peace of mind come first. Fully police checked and holding a valid Working with Children Check, so you can feel confident knowing you’re in safe, trusted hands.

🔸 I work closely with a trusted network of reputable and experienced snake catchers to help ensure you receive a prompt response and assistance as quickly as possible.

🔸 Humane, safe and effective possum management to help protect your home or property while prioritising the wellbeing of the animals.

🔸 Informative and engaging snake safety talks and presentations for schools, community groups, businesses and organisations — helping people understand snake behaviour, reduce risks and know what to do if they encounter a snake.

🔸 Competitive, affordable pricing with flexible payment plans available to help make our services accessible when you need them most.

🔸 Competitions & giveaways regularly held on social media pages for followers.

🔸 No rushing you off the phone — I’ll help you understand what to do and keep you as calm as possible!

🌎 Our service areas include:

Colac • Gellibrand • Beech Forest • Lavers Hill • Apollo Bay • Lorne • Anglesea • Forrest • Cororooke • Coragulac • Alvie • Cressy • Camperdown • Winchelsea • Port Campbell • Princetown • Peterborough • Warrnambool • Torquay • Lismore • Derrinallum • Timboon •

📍And all surrounding areas.

📲 𝗙𝗼𝗿 𝘀𝗮𝗳𝗲, 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗳𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗿𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝘀𝗻𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝗺𝗼𝘃𝗮𝗹, 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗰𝘁 𝗦𝗻𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗖𝗮𝘁𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗖𝗼𝗹𝗮𝗰 𝘁𝗼𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝗼𝗻 𝟬𝟰𝟵𝟴 𝟬𝟲𝟯 𝟮𝟮𝟵.

🐾 FOUND A BABY POSSUM? HERE’S WHAT TO DO ❤️

If you find a possum joey alone, don’t assume it has been abandoned. The mother may be nearby, or the joey may have fallen from her back or out of the nest.

🩷 If you find a possum joey:

• Keep it warm, dark and quiet. Place it gently in a soft towel or pillowcase and put it in a secure box.

• Use a wrapped warm water bottle or heat pack beside the joey for warmth — never directly against it.

• DO NOT give it cow’s milk, formula, water or food. Incorrect feeding can cause aspiration, digestive problems and even death.

• If the joey is cold, injured, bleeding, covered in ants/flies, or crying continuously, it needs urgent help.

• Check the area for mum, but don’t leave the joey exposed to predators or traffic while waiting.

• Contact a licensed wildlife carer or wildlife rescue organisation as soon as possible. They can advise you on the safest next step.

⚠️ If the joey is found with a dead adult possum, always check the pouch carefully. There may be a baby still attached or inside.

🙏 Please don’t attempt to raise a possum joey yourself. They have very specific feeding, warmth and care requirements, and early professional intervention gives them the best chance of survival and eventual release.