Find injured or orphaned wildlife?

Know what to do...

Snowy Mountains Wildlife Rescue (LAOKO) is the volunteer wildlife rescue group covering the Snowy Monaro region. LAOKO is the acronym for Looking After Our Kosciuszko Orphans. This was the original name of the group when it began in 1988. LAOKO operates a 24/7 emergency helpline – 02 6456 1313.

If you come across injured or orphaned wildlife needing assistance, follow these simple steps:

1. Check your safety first.

2. Be aware of traffic or other hazards.

3. Call LAOKO on 02 6456 1313 for advice/assistance.

4. If you can, wait near the animal until help arrives.

All injured and orphaned wildlife in the Snowy Monaro region must be rescued by, or delivered to Snowy Mountains Wildlife Rescue (LAOKO) for immediate assistance.

If you’re able to transport the animal to LAOKO’s triage clinic drop off point, here are some ways to keep the animal safe:

1. Approach the animal from behind, slowly and calmly.

2. Cover the whole animal with a blanket or towel.

3. Have a box ready so you can scoop the towel and animal up together and place in the box. Secure the lid of the box.

4. Place the box in a safe area in your car – the passenger seat floor or secured by a seat belt on the back seat is good.

5. Transport the animal to the drop off point specified by our emergency phone volunteer.

If you already have the injured or orphaned animal secure, and you’ve called LAOKO, you’ll be asked to drop the animal off to a specified drop off point.

COOMA – LAOKO’s Cooma drop off point is at their triage clinic located at: Cooma Snowy Mountains Tourist Park, 286 Sharp St, Cooma NSW 2630

JINDABYNE – Snowy Region Visitor Centre, National Parks and Wildlife Service, building 49 Kosciuszko Rd, Jindabyne NSW 2627

Please visit LAOKO’s website www.laokosmwr.org (or scan the QR code) to find out how you can donate and help Snowy Mountains native wildlife.

About Snowy Mountains Wildlife Rescue (LAOKO) LAOKO is an independent not-for-profit organisation run by volunteers: there are no paid staff.

They rely on the generosity of the public for donations, bequests and support.

All donations over $2 are 100% tax deductible!

Australian Business Number (ABN): 36480903947

Charitable Fundraising Number: CFN/26110