As we settle into the first few weeks of spring, local echidnas are becoming more active and visible – you might even find them wandering through your yard or property! Wildlife experts are asking locals to leave them be, unless they need medical attention.
As the echidna breeding season commences, more and more of our spiky friends are on the move, making it more common to see them in busy areas. These spiky, monotreme marvels are traveling long distances in search of food and potential mates, and female echidnas are particularly active as they prepare to put their babies into nursery burrows.
Here’s how you can make the most of these charming encounters while ensuring their safety and well-being;
How to Handle an Echidna Sighting
Keep your distance: If you come across an echidna, the best thing to do is to admire it from afar. Echidnas are naturally shy and will dig into the ground or curl up into a ball if they feel threatened. Avoid approaching or trying to touch them, as this can cause unnecessary stress.
Create a safe zone: If the echidna has settled in your yard or garden, simply give it space. Ensure pets and children stay away, as their curiosity could disturb the echidna. Most of the time, the echidna will move along once it feels safe and secure.
Road safety: If you spot an echidna crossing a road or in a high-traffic area, do not attempt to handle it. Approaching an echidna in such situations can lead to it burrowing in place, increasing its risk of harm. Instead, if it’s safe to do so, stop traffic and allow the echidna to cross safely at its own pace.
What NOT to Do
Do NOT relocate: During this season, the Southern Koala and Echidna Rescue advise against relocating echidnas. More reports have surfaced of healthy echidnas being picked up and taken to vet clinics, which can disrupt their natural behaviours.
Female echidnas, in particular, are moving around to prepare their nursery burrows, and relocating them risks them losing their scent trail or leaving young unattended. It’s best to leave them where they are.
Avoid using tools: Never use tools like shovels to move or handle echidnas. This can result in serious injuries to the animal.
If you need to assist, do so gently and with bare hands, and only if absolutely necessary!
If an Echidna Is Injured
Seek immediate help: If an echidna is injured, particularly by a vehicle, it’s crucial to get it to a veterinary clinic as soon as possible. Echidnas need X-rays to diagnose internal injuries that are not visible from the outside.
Keep cool: Echidnas cannot tolerate temperatures above 30 degrees. Ensure that any injured echidna is transported in a cool environment. For very young puggles found alone, keep them cool with an ice brick placed nearby (but not directly on the puggle) until help arrives.
Call for advice: If you have any concerns or need guidance, call Southern Koala and Echidna Rescue Ltd’s 24-hour hotline at 0435 056 252. They can provide expert advice on how to handle the situation appropriately.
Spring is a wonderful time to observe the marvels of Australian wildlife, and echidnas are a prime example of nature’s unique charm. So, next time you spot an echidna on its springtime adventure, remember to respect its space and appreciate its role in our ecosystem.
If you have any concerns, please contact the Southern Koala and Echidna Rescue.
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