Dispose of dead wildlife on your property

You can safely dispose of dead wildlife if:

  • you have advice from the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline
  • the animals are small enough to fit into a leakproof plastic bag in your general rubbish bin
  • they cannot be left where found.

Report signs of bird flu

Bird flu is a nationally notifiable animal disease. Anyone who suspects an animal might be infected with bird flu has a legal responsibility to report it immediately.

Avoid direct contact

If you find sick or dead wild birds or wildlife, avoid direct contact with the animal.

Keep children and pets away.

Do not touch dead wildlife, feathers, droppings, fluids, or anything the animal may have touched with your bare skin.

If contact occurs, wash the affected skin thoroughly with soap and water. Use hand sanitiser or cleansing wipes (baby wipes) if soap and water are not available.

Gather items

  • 2 pairs of disposable, waterproof gloves (a plastic bag fully covering your hands can be used as makeshift hand protection)
  • A surgical face mask (or P2/N95 fitted mask, if available)
  • Eye protection such as sunglasses or goggles
  • A tool (e.g. shovel, garden trowel, rake)
  • Long-sleeved shirt
  • 2 leakproof plastic bags, large enough to completely enclose the dead wildlife
  • Strong tape or zip ties to seal the bags
  • Soap or household detergent and water for cleaning hands and tools afterwards
  • Disinfectant such as household bleach or other product that states it kills viruses on the label

Put on personal protective equipment (PPE)

  • Disposable, waterproof gloves
  • A surgical face mask
  • Eye protection
  • Long-sleeved shirt

Put the animal inside the first bag

  • Prod the wildlife gently with a tool to ensure it is dead.
  • Place the dead animal into the bag:
    • use a tool to gently lift the dead animal into the open bag, or
    • place the bag over your hands, grasping the dead wildlife through the bag, then turning the bag inside out so the animal is fully enclosed in the bag.
  • Tie or seal the first bag securely.

Remove PPE and double-bag

  • Remove gloves carefully, turning them inside out.
  • Avoid touching the outside of the gloves with bare skin.
  • Place used gloves on top of the first sealed bag.
  • Put the second bag over your hands and collect the first sealed bag (with dead animal inside) and used gloves.
  • Remove eye protection and place aside for cleaning.
  • Remove the face mask using ear loops and place it inside the second bag.
  • Tie or seal the second outer bag.

Dispose of the bag

  • Dispose of the sealed double-bagged animal into an outdoor, lidded general rubbish bin.
  • Do not take dead wildlife indoors or store dead wildlife in your fridge or freezer.

Clean up

  • Wearing a new pair of clean gloves, wash any reusable equipment, such as tools and eyewear, with detergent and water.
  • Avoid splashing or spraying yourself while cleaning.
  • Disinfect the cleaned reusable equipment with household bleach or disinfectant and allow them to dry completely.
  • Place used gloves in a plastic bag and dispose of them in an outdoor rubbish bin.
  • Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water.
  • Apply hand sanitiser.
  • If your clothing has been contaminated with fluids or droppings from the animal, wash clothing in a hot wash cycle.