AHEAD of a high-profile local case, alleging an act senseless and deliberate animal cruelty towards wombats at Venus Bay in February this year, the State Government has moved to “stamp out wildlife crime and improve animal welfare across Victoria”.
On Saturday, October 18, Minister for Environment Steve Dimopoulos released the Government’s response to the ‘Wildlife Act Review’ backed by $2.9 million of investment to support wildlife carers, shelters and rescuers across Victoria.
“To improve access to animal trauma care services in regional Victoria we’re investing $2 million to create a new wildlife hospital at the Kyabram Fauna Park, run by Zoos Victoria.
“Regional and rural wildlife carers and shelters will also benefit from $350,000 in vet outreach and training to help build skills and capacity. A new $300,000 Wildlife Rehabilitator Rebate Scheme will also be set up to help carers cover the costs of treating sick and injured animals including food, medicine and equipment.
“We’re also investing $100,000 to bolster the number of wildlife rescuers responding to emergencies like fires and floods, $100,000 to manage wombat mange, and $50,000 in one-off grants for shelters in southwest Victoria. This investment is on top of the annual $300,000 Wildlife Rehabilitator Grants which are now open for applications.
“We’re also protecting wildlife in urban areas, with a fruit netting swap pilot in five metro councils.”
The program helps households replace illegal netting with wildlife-safe alternatives at no cost. It’s illegal to use or sell fruit tree netting with mesh larger than 5mm x 5mm, which can trap and injure animals like the grey-headed flying-fox.
In response to the Wildlife Act Review, Victoria will ban crocodiles as pets and update the licensing system for wildlife that is dangerous or has complex needs such as venomous snakes and monitor lizards, so they can only be held under tailored licences.
There will also be limits on large-scale wildlife breeding to stamp out cruel breeding practices.
“We will increase the maximum penalties and introduce new offences for wildlife crimes, and a Fit and Proper Person Test for all licences. We will also extend the statute of limitations for investigating wildlife crime and filing charges for offences against the Act.
“We're expanding the partnership with Crime Stoppers Victoria and the Conservation Regulator to report wildlife and forest crime, which will help us protect animals around the clock. We're also creating an easy-to-use online form for submitting forest and wildlife crime reports 24/7.
“We’re also creating a new online tool that can be used to verify if other party in a purchase arrangement has a valid wildlife licence and create a public record of court outcomes for wildlife and forest crime – making it easier to prevent illegal trade and protect animal welfare.
A 19-year-old Fish Creek man, charged with 20 offences under the Wildlife Act 1975 and the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1986, for alleged conduct leading to the deaths of up to 9 wombats in Venus Bay earlier this year, is due to face a Contest Mention hearing at Wonthaggi Court on Tuesday, December 9.
The charges follow an extensive investigation by the Conservation Regulator and Victoria Police into the deaths which occurred at Venus Bay on Tuesday, February 18, 2025.
The issue of cruelty to native animals was also discussed at last Wednesday’s meeting of the Bass Coast Shire Council when the Council introduced its new Domestic Animal Management Plan 2026-29, highlighting the need to protect wombats at San Remo and Hooded Plovers on the beaches.
Local native animal welfare activist, Ron Day, said after the meeting that animal strike on the roads was a serious issue that also needed concreted action.
All wildlife in Victoria is protected under the Wildlife Act 1975. It is illegal to hunt, take, destroy, injure, or interfere with wildlife without authorisation.?
The Conservation Regulator urges anyone with information about wildlife cruelty to report it to Crime Stoppers Victoria on 1800 333 000. Reports can be made anonymously.