Protecting our wildlife in Darebin

A baby flying fox and its parent cuddling on a branch

Darebin is home to a wide variety of native wildlife, from birds, bats, and possums to frogs, lizards and more.

As we share our city with these animals, it’s important to understand how to live alongside them in ways that support their wellbeing.

Learning about our wildlife and taking small actions can make a big difference!

Don’t feed wildlife

Feeding wildlife might seem kind, but it can cause illness, dependency, and even aggression. Animals thrive best when they find their own food.

What you can do

  • Let animals find their natural food sources.
  • Avoid leaving scraps outside.
  • Plant indigenous species in your garden to provide wildlife with the right food.
  • Sign up to a Darebin Gardens for Wildlife visit.

Visit Wildlife Victoria for more information

Responsible pet ownership

Cats and dogs are beloved companions, but they can harm wildlife if not managed responsibly.

Roaming pet cats significantly impact native wildlife, with each cat in Australia killing an average of 186 animals annually, including 110 native animals such as reptiles, birds and mammals.

Domestic dogs can harm wildlife by directly attacking animals, harassing them and causing stress, or damaging sensitive habitats like nesting sites.

What you can do

Cats

Learn more about cat owners' responsibilities in Darebin

Dogs
  • Keep your dog securely at home. This means having a gate and an escape-proof fence.
  • Keep your dog on-leash in public spaces in Darebin, unless specified as an off-leash area.

Learn more about dog owners' responsibilities in Darebin

Wildlife friendly habitat

Urban development reduces natural habitat, but we can help wildlife by transforming our gardens and balconies into wildlife-friendly spaces.

What you can do

Wildlife and fruit netting

Have you checked your fruit tree nets?

Illegal household fruit tree nets are dangerous for native and endangered wildlife. Since 2021, Victorian laws have banned the use and sale of household fruit netting with mesh larger than 5 mm × 5 mm.

A simple way to check your net is the finger-poke test. If your finger can fit through the mesh, the net is illegal and should be replaced.

Darebin Net Swap program 2026–27

From October 2026 to March 2027, Darebin is partnering with the Conservation Regulator, RSPCA Victoria, Zoos Victoria, Wildlife Victoria and Animal Welfare Victoria and other Victorian councils to help residents swap illegal fruit tree netting for safer alternatives.

How the program works

  1. Check your fruit tree netting using the finger-poke test.
  2. Bring any illegal netting to a participating Darebin collection point (locations will be announced on this page). Anyone can surrender illegal netting, even if they’re not Darebin residents.
  3. Eligible Darebin residents can receive one free replacement product per household, while stocks last. Proof of address is required. Replacement options may include fitted insect netting, fruit protection bags or fruit protection sleeves.

All surrendered nets will be recycled through UPPAREL, helping prevent future wildlife entanglements and reducing waste.

Other tips to protect wildlife

  • Only cover the fruit you plan to harvest.
  • Consider fruit protection bags instead of netting whole trees.
  • Check nets regularly for trapped wildlife.
  • If you find an entangled bat, do not handle it. Contact Fly By Night Bat Clinic for assistance.
  • Report the sale or use of illegal fruit netting to the Conservation Regulator via Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Not a Darebin resident? Visit the RSPCA website to check whether your local council is participating in the Net Swap Program.

Help injured wildlife

There are many organisations across Victoria that provide rescue advice and assistance for sick, injured, and orphaned wildlife.

What you can do

Driving and wildlife

Wildlife often crosses roads, especially near waterways such as Edwardes Lake, Edgars Creek, Darebin Creek and Merri Creek, with many species most active at dawn and dusk. Collisions can be fatal for animals and dangerous for drivers.

What you can do

Visit Wildlife Victoria for more information

Heatwaves and wildlife

Hot days can be dangerous for animals, just as they are for us. Many species struggle to find water and shade during extreme heat.

What you can do

  • Leave shallow bowls of water in shaded areas.
  • Provide artificial shade and cool environments by misting trees and shrubs.
  • Contact Wildlife Victoria if you encounter a heat-stressed animal. 

Bird swooping season

In spring, some nesting bird species may swoop to defend their eggs and chicks. This natural behaviour occurs during breeding season from August to October, and Council installs signs at known swooping locations during this time.

What you can do

  • If possible, avoid known swooping spots.
  • Wear sunglasses, a hat, or use an umbrella to cover yourself.
  • Move calmly and quickly – don’t run or ride your bike.
  • Keep dogs on-leash and supervise children.
  • Do not harm swooping birds or interfere with their nests – native birds are protected under the Wildlife Act 1975.
  • Visit Victoria’s Swooping Bird Map to find swooping hotspots in your area or add a location to let others know about new swooping sites.

Wildlife-safe fencing

Some types of fencing can trap, injure or block the movement of native wildlife, but simple changes can make fences much safer.

What you can do

  • Avoid barbed wire or replace the top strand with plain wire to reduce entanglement.
  • Increase visibility using white sight wires or tape so animals can see the fence.
  • Leave small gaps or raise the bottom wire to allow wildlife to pass underneath safely.
  • Check fences regularly and report any trapped or injured animals.

Visit Wildlife Victoria for more information

Wildlife-safe decorations

Seasonal decorations like fake spiderwebs can trap birds, bats, and beneficial insects and cause fatal injuries. We can still celebrate our favourite holidays with decorations that don’t harm our wildlife.

What you can do

  • Don’t use fake spider webs, fishing lines, single-use plastic, balloons, or illegal fruit tree netting.
  • Choose bird-safe decorations instead: use natural materials like straw, twigs or leaves, DIY decorations from recyclable materials like cardboard or paper, or look for second-hand decorations.

Use of rodenticides

Second-generation Anticoagulant Rodenticide (SGARs) poisons are unregulated in Australia. They don’t just kill invasive rodents, but also harm our native wildlife including owls, possums, and other predators that eat poisoned animals.

What you can do

Become a citizen scientist

By doing so, you will be contributing to science by recording your observations of nature. Every observation helps us understand and protect our local species better.

What you can do

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