Table 8.
Standards of health and behaviour required of rehabilitated wildlife in various jurisdictions prior to release in Australia.
| NSW | NT | QLD | SA | TAS | VIC | WA | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Health | |||||||
| 1. Recovered from injury and/or disease | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| 2. Not known to be sterile/unable to reproduce | ✓ | ||||||
| 3. Weight and condition are within an appropriate range | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ||
| 4. Appropriate fitness levels | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| 5. Not a biosecurity risk | ✓ | ||||||
| 6. Pelage, plumage, scales or skin is adequate for survival | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ||||
| 7. Acclimated to prevailing climatic conditions | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |||
| 8. Must be independent of its natural mother | ✓ | ||||||
| 9. Salt tolerant, for marine species | ✓ | ||||||
| 10. Of sufficiently mature age for independent survival | ✓ | ||||||
| 11. Weaned off all unnatural feedstuffs | ✓ | ||||||
| 12. Must be released before sexual maturity | ✓ | ||||||
| Behaviour | |||||||
| 13. Can recognise, catch and consume appropriate, naturally available food | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| 14. Can recognise and successfully avoid predators and domestic carnivores | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ||
| 15. Not attracted to humans or sights, sounds, or smells that are specific to captivity | ✓ | ✓ | |||||
| 16. Show a fight or flight response similar to that shown by wild conspecifics | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ||||
| 17. Can navigate effectively through its natural environment | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ||
| 18. Can recognise and interact normally with other members of the same species | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ||
| 19. Mark its territory, if applicable | ✓ | ✓ | |||||
| 20. Find or construct shelter | ✓ | ✓ |