Echidna Season is here
It is that time of the year when WIRES receive large numbers of calls for Echidnas hit and injured by cars, they are more active in the cooler weather and for adult Echidna’s it is breeding time, they travel further afield looking for a mate.
Echidnas move slowly, they are unable to run across the road; it takes time to get across….. Be alert if you are on the road between dusk and dawn to avoid injuring a wandering Echidna. Please slow down and should you see one crossing the road please allow it to cross safely – and keep an eye out for injured animals that may be on the side of the road.If you find an Echidna on the road, it may have been hit, injuries are not always apparent. If you can, cover the animal with a towel and move it off the road, you may just save its life. Please stay with the animal and call WIRES straight away. Do not put the Echidna in your car uncontained as it may bed itself in and be very difficult to remove. Please call WIRES for help and advice.
If you are able to safely transport the Echidna to a WIRES volunteer, it is very important to note where you found it as WIRES always aim to return each animal to their home territory.
Echidnas may also be spotted in house yards. Sometimes the animal has “dug in” or rolled into a ball. This is the Echidna’s way of defending itself when it feels insecure and in danger. The best solution is to leave the Echidna alone, remove the threat (usually the family dog) and the Echidna will go on its way once it feels confident there is no threat. Echidnas have a great memory; it is unlikely that it will return after a frightening experience.
Did you know that the lifespan of an Echidna is in excess of 50 years?