With a hot summer approaching, our local wildlife face serious risks from dehydration, heat stress, and in severe cases, death. 

Your backyard can be a refuge for native animals struggling with soaring temperatures. Our Gardens for Wildlife team recommends these essential measures to create a safe and inviting habitat:

• Provide several shallow dishes of fresh water in shady spots throughout your garden, avoiding metal containers that can become hot in direct sunlight. Place some rocks or sticks on the edge of the saucer for small birds or insects to perch on.
• Position some dishes at ground level for reptiles and insects, while placing others higher up or near dense shrubs to give birds and small mammals a safe drinking spot away from predators. Remember to refresh the water regularly to prevent disease transmission and mosquitoes.  
• Indigenous plants provide wildlife with shelter from heat and predators. They are also naturally adapted to local soils and designed to withstand hot, dry summers, making them low-maintenance and robust.  
• Keep watch for signs of heat-stressed wildlife. Possums and bats may be found unresponsive on the ground, or birds may also be on the ground with their mouths open and wings spread out to try and cool themselves. If you encounter an animal in distress, contact Wildlife Victoria on 8400 7300. Do not try to capture or handle wildlife. 

By taking these precautions, you can make a significant difference in protecting our wildlife from extreme conditions this summer.  

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