Download Wildlife Victoria’s 2025 Impact Report (2.8mb)
We’ve seen koalas, kangaroos, flying fox colonies and all native animals being affected by the negative impacts of our changing climate and urban expansion. Our usually ‘quieter’ winter season didn’t eventuate, and was then followed by an even busier spring, including our busiest day on record—1034 calls to Wildlife Victoria in the space of one day. With demand for our services more than doubling over the past five years, we have maintained our investment in continuous improvement, infrastructure and technology.
We’ve also invested in our people, including our hardworking frontline wildlife veterinary staff and emergency response operators. The Travelling Veterinary service in particular has been a gamechanger for wildlife and volunteer wildlife carers, who receive free expert veterinary treatment for the wildlife in their care. We also recognise the challenges resulting from the global veterinary shortage; these challenges are acute in Australia.
Our wildlife vets perform hundreds of teleconsults each year to provide wildlife specific advice for general practice vets and I am incredibly proud of the capabilities of our skilled veterinary team.
We also recognise the important work done by our dedicated volunteers, who are on the frontline attending to injured wildlife. Our volunteer engagement is trending upwards each month, and they are supported by a skilled and capable people services team, ongoing training, insurance and 24/7 mental health and wellbeing support.
In 2025, Wildlife Victoria has also continued deepening our engagement with local, state and federal government, and launched a national consortium to address the systemic issues with wildlife rescue, treatment and rehabilitation through a proposed national framework.
Over 80% of Wildlife Victoria’s staff are in operational roles and are highly motivated to continue making a positive difference, including as wildlife volunteers outside of their work commitments. We attract highly capable and compassionate people who are influencing public policy, being the voice of the voiceless, and are resolute in our shared mission to protect Australia’s native wildlife.
The work done by our people inspires me every day. We are all incredibly buoyed by the messages of support that we receive from the public, and so grateful for the support from our donors—thank you—your friendship and belief in our work helps to power us on.
I hope you enjoy reading this impactful report.
Lisa Palma
CEO Wildlife Victoria