All native fauna are protected under the Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016. Learning how to care for and help wildlife, particularly in cases of illness or injury, is crucial.
It's essential to contact the appropriate authorities for assistance. Find out about wildlife in our region and what you can do to help protect them.
Snakes
In early spring, snakes like dugites and tiger snakes become more active for feeding, breeding, and sunbathing. If a snake enters your house, stay calm, don't try to catch or harm it. Contact Wildcare Helpline on 9474 9055 for a reptile remover.
Magpies
During August to October, magpies nest, and some males may become protective and swoop if they perceive a threat to the nest or young. If swooped, stay calm, refrain from running, and avoid direct eye contact. When outdoors in nesting areas, wear a broad-brimmed hat and sunglasses to protect your face and eyes, and avoid places where magpies are known to be territorial. Residents are encouraged to report incidents of territorial magpies so that temporary warning signs can be installed.
Kangaroos
If you come across an injured adult kangaroo, please contact the Wildcare Helpline on 9474 9055. They have the expertise to assess the situation and provide appropriate advice and care. It's essential to refrain from approaching the kangaroo on your own, to ensure that others also maintain a safe distance to prevent accidents and minimise stress for the kangaroo.
Quenda
Quenda are small marsupials with a long pointed muzzle, short limbs and neck and a long thin tail. Quenda are regular visitors to homes and, they are commonly mistaken for rats. They are threatened due to habitat loss and predation by cats and foxes. These native animals are protected under the Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016.
Birds
The City contains many species of birds that are important part of our ecosystem. Feeding native fauna like birds without a license is illegal due to potential harm and environmental pollution. Birds are at risk from rodenticides, so using rodenticide-free baits is advised. You can support birds by planting native gardens, preserving trees, installing bird baths, bird watching, and participating in citizen science projects like BirdLife Australia's Birdata App. The City works to conserve protected birds like the endangered Carnaby's Black Cockatoo by installing nesting boxes, mapping nesting sites, planting native vegetation, and community education.
Southwestern snake-necked turtle
Southwestern snake-necked turtles (Chelodina oblonga) are also commonly known as Oblong or long-necked turtles, or Yaakan and Booyi, in Noongar language. The Southwestern snake-necked turtle, is the only local native turtle species found in the Yellagonga Regional Park wetlands.
The Southwestern snake-necked turtle gets its name from its appearance as it has a long, snake-like neck, and an oblong shell (carapace). The neck is almost as long as its shell and its full length can reach about 50cm. This turtle feeds on fish, frogs and macroinvertebrates (animals with no backbone such as insects, crustaceans, snails and worms). The turtle hatchlings also eat midge and mosquito larvae which can help control potential nuisance midge outbreaks.
Caring for wildlife
Contact the Wildcare Helpline on 9474 9055 if you find sick, injured, orphaned or stranded native wildlife, including marine wildlife, and are seeking advice on where to find care or assistance for the animal.
Please note:
- The City of Joondalup is located adjacent to the Marmion Marine Park, as such, any native marine wildlife in difficulty on the beach must be reported to the Parks and Wildlife Service of the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions via the Wildcare Helpline.
- The Wildcare Helpline cannot assist with non-native or domestic animals.
- The closest nonprofit organisation that rescues, treats and rehabilitates sick, injured, and orphaned wildlife is Native Animal Rescue located in Malaga.
Please refrain from feeding wildlife, as they have access to natural resources for survival and thrive without human intervention.
Feeding wildlife leads to various problems, such as:
- Creating dependency on humans for food, hampering their natural foraging abilities, particularly in young animals
- Causing sickness and deformities from salt in bread and processed foods
- Resulting in weight issues due to high-fat content in processed food and meat
- Leading to dietary imbalances and deficiencies, especially with raw meat's lack of calcium and high phosphorus levels
- Increasing aggression and stress as animals compete for food and water
- Spreading diseases by concentrating animals and food in one area
- Creating stagnant water sources with harmful bacteria
- Increasing non-native animal populations due to abundant food
- Disturbing the balance of wildlife species in ecosystems
- Feeding wildlife is illegal and may result in significant fines.
You can actively contribute to local biodiversity conservation without disturbing wildlife by:
- Volunteer your time to protect and manage natural areas, join Friends Groups, and support wildlife care or conservation organizations
- Establish a wildlife-friendly habitat at home with native plants, bird baths, and nesting boxes. Visit ReWild Perth for an action plan and more information to get started on creating a habitat for wildlife
- Build nesting boxes tailored to the needs of local birds and animals
- Visit natural areas like Yellagonga Regional Park to connect with and observe wildlife.
- Participate in citizen science projects, documenting wildlife sightings, and contributing to the Atlas of Living Australia database.
Learn more about native animals on the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions’ website.
Some of the wildlife initiatives the City has led or supports includes:
- Implementing the Yellagonga Integrated Catchment Management Plan with the City of Wanneroo and collaborating with the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions.
- Partnering with Murdoch University and others for the Saving our Snake-necked Turtle Project, which includes the Turtle Trackers program for turtle nest protection at Lake Joondalup
- Managing feral animals with the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation, and Attractions and the City of Wanneroo
- Engaging and supporting volunteers to conserve natural areas.
- Undertaking habitat creation and revegetation projects, including installing conservation fencing.
- Raising community awareness through signage in reserves and implementing various greening and biodiversity initiatives.
What the City is doing to help turtles
Southwestern snake-necked turtle populations in the Yellagonga wetlands face multiple threats, including road traffic and habitat loss due to development, which leads to increased mortality during nesting and hatchling movements.
Predation by feral animals like foxes, birds, and cats, as well as poaching for illegal pets, poses significant risks. Additionally, poor water quality, characterised by high nutrient levels and heavy metals, adversely affects turtles through ingestion and absorption. The drying climate further exacerbates the situation, reducing reproduction rates and survival chances in degraded habitats.
The City is helping to protect turtles and boost their numbers in local wetlands by:
- Controlling fox numbers in and around turtle nesting areas in conjunction with the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions and the City of Wanneroo
- Collaborating with Murdoch University and other partners on the Saving our Snake-necked Turtle Project which includes the Turtle Trackers volunteer group who patrol the wetlands, help nesting turtles and protect the nests
- Installing temporary and permanent signs – ‘turtles on the move’, ‘keep dogs on-leash’ and ‘slow down for turtles’
- Improving wetland water quality by implementing the Yellagonga Integrated Catchment Management Plan with the City of Wanneroo
- Restoring turtle shelter and habitat by replanting native plants around wetlands, in partnership with the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, City of Wanneroo, local schools and community groups
- Encouraging residents to plant native gardens, which provide additional habitat for nesting turtles.
What you can do to help turtles
You can support native turtles by:
- Watch for turtles on roads and paths, especially during rainy days in spring (September – November) when females leave the water to lay eggs
- Be alert to hatchlings in Autumn (March – June) and Spring (September – November) to avoid accidentally harming them due to their small size
- Assist turtles in need by helping them move safely and shielding them from threats like ravens, dogs, and cats
- Contact the WA Wildlife Hospital on 9417 7105 or WildCare Helpline on 9474 9055 if you find an injured or orphaned turtle away from wetlands for advice or treatment. Any injured turtles can be taken to the Native Animal Rescue hospital in Malaga
- Use the TurtleSAT app, or TurtleSAT website to record turtle observations, aiding the City's understanding of local turtle populations and their protection
- Keep dogs leashed and away from turtles and nests
- Ensure pet cats stay indoors at night and within property boundaries
- Report fox sightings to the City and the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions Regional Parks Unit on 9442 0300
- Participate in the Saving our Snake-necked Turtle Project Turtle Tracker volunteer program during spring (training required)
- Join volunteer groups like the Friends of Yellagonga Regional Park or Woodvale Waters Friends of Beenyup Channel to restore turtle habitat with native plantings in wetlands
- Report turtle poaching to the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation, and Attraction Wildlife Branch through the Wildcare Helpline on 9474 9055 or Wildlife Watch on 1800 449 453
- Protect wetland water quality by preventing household chemicals like fertilisers and detergents from entering road stormwater drains connected to wetlands.
What the City is doing to help Quenda
The City is helping to protect quenda by:
- Monitoring and managing a large quenda population within a predator-proof fenced area at Craigie Bushland
- Installing temporary and permanent educational and warning signs about quenda in the area
- Improving bushland quality and vegetation among the City’s conservation areas and reserves
- Restoring quenda habitat by replanting native plants around bushland reserves
- Encouraging residents and staff to plant native gardens, which provide additional habitat for quenda.
How you can help Quendas
These unique little diggers are a key part of our local biodiversity, and are increasingly threatened by habitat loss, roads, introduced predators and climate change.
You can help support them by the following actions:
- Grow local native plants, giving them places to hide in your garden, and a shallow source of water during the warmer months
- Participate in citizen science projects such as the Spring Quenda Count
- Be a responsible pet owner by keeping your dogs on a lead and your cats indoors
- Pay attention and drive carefully when driving or bike riding along roads or footpaths around natural areas
- Use rodenticide-free rat baits
- Consider building a novel shelter or habitat box for quenda, visit ReWild for habitat box templates for native wildlife
- Volunteer your time to protect and manage our beautiful and diverse natural areas. Find your local Friends Group today.
- Not feed quendas, or any other native wildlife. This is illegal and can incur large fines.