- • exhibits no signs of active disease
- • has fur, plumage or waterproofing (where applicable) that is adequate for that species to survive
- • has adequate vision to find and catch food and manoeuvre in a normal manner
- • exhibits locomotive skills necessary for that species to survive
- • exhibits normal behaviour responses (i.e. an instinctual fear of humans and predators, able to forage and process food, find or construct shelter, mark its territory and move across the landscape with confidence)
- • is of correct age for independent survival
- • is of correct weight for that sex, species, age and season
- • has been checked by a veterinarian/person experienced in the species for any diseases that may be transmitted to native populations and been cleared.

Ensure the release site has suitable habitat, water and food, and is free from any dangers (e.g. busy roads). Do not release wildlife during extremes of weather or outside the usual active times for the species (e.g. nocturnal wildlife during the day). Some animals are best released into an existing social structure (e.g. flocking birds such as corellas). Wildlife that require hollows should be released with a temporary nest box to reduce the chance of predation.

#### Wildlife records

Condition 23 You must record accurate and up-to-date information in relation to all wildlife that you receive, acquire, possess, destroy (euthanise), and dispose of. These records must: • be recorded on DELWP Wildlife Record Sheets or in a manner approved in writing by DELWP, and • record the species, when it was found, where it was found, a summary of its injuries/condition, the cause of its injury/condition (if known), its fate (if known) and the location and date of release (if applicable), and • record details of veterinary assessment and advice, and • be kept for a three-year period, and • be available for inspection by a DELWP Authorised Officer without delay.

######## Objective

To ensure that adequate records are kept documenting wildlife that have entered care, their original rescue location, the reason for their admission and the fate of the wildlife. This information is vital to keep accurate case histories, track emerging trends or threats to wildlife populations and provides useful data for rehabilitators, DELWP, veterinarians and research organisations.

######## How to comply

Keep up-to-date records of the wildlife held under your authorisation and maintain them in a form that can easily be examined and understood. The best way to do this is to record the details of the wildlife the same day it is admitted into your care. If the wildlife is brought to you by another authorisation holder or member of the public, ask them for all the relevant details. Copies should be made in case the original records are lost. Additional information useful to keep includes treatment details (e.g. medication requirements), feeding and toileting details, and any other relevant information.

####### Please note:

You are no longer required to submit your records to DELWP each year. However, you are still required to keep these records and make them available to an Authorised Officer upon request.

#### Other wildlife licenses

Condition 24 Wildlife that you receive, acquire, or possess under this authorisation must be physically separated from any wildlife held under a private or commercial wildlife licence.

Wildlife Shelter and Foster Carer Authorisation Guide – V5.00 July 2019

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