12.1.2.Wildlife and the law

In NSW, all wildlife is protected under the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974, and if an injured or orphaned animal is picked up it must be handed into a licensed wildlife group or a National Parks and Wildlife ranger.
It is illegal to keep wildlife unless you are licensed, as native animals need specialised food and housing. Carers need the skills to ‘train’ animals to be ready for eventual release back into the wild.
Baby animals can grow quite large and they eventually become unmanageable – raised in the wrong way, there will be little chance in rehabilitating animals back into the wild.