Standard Rescue vs Damage Mitigation Permit

Wildlife Rescue vs Damage Mitigation Permit — What's the Difference?

Not every wildlife situation is a rescue. Sometimes an animal is sick, injured or orphaned and needs urgent care — that's what WRAPT does. Other times a perfectly healthy animal is simply in the wrong place, like a possum in your roof or a snake in the garage. In Queensland, moving healthy wildlife requires a Damage Mitigation Permit (DMP), which is a different service provided by different people. This page explains the difference so you know who to call.

🐨 Standard Wildlife Rescue

For sick, injured or orphaned wildlife

The animal needs help — it's hurt, unwell, orphaned, or genuinely in danger (e.g. hit by a car, attacked by a pet, a joey whose mum has died).
Carried out by volunteer wildlife carers (like WRAPT) operating under a rehabilitation permit issued under the Nature Conservation Act 1992.
The goal is always rehabilitation and release back to the wild, following Queensland's codes of practice for the care of sick, injured or orphaned protected animals.
Free of charge — rescue groups are volunteer-run and funded by donations.
Starts with a call to our 24/7 hotline or an online wildlife report. See our Rescue Help guide for what to do while you wait.

🏠 Damage Mitigation Permit (DMP)

For healthy wildlife causing damage or conflict

The animal is fine — the situation isn't. A healthy animal is damaging property, threatening crops or livestock, or posing a risk to human health or wellbeing.
A DMP is a permit issued by the Queensland Government (Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation) under the Nature Conservation Act 1992 and Nature Conservation (Animals) Regulation 2020.
Covers activities such as the removal and relocation of animals (e.g. possums, snakes, brush turkeys) and, in some cases, culling or dispersal of wildlife causing damage.
Applicants must show a genuine need and that they've taken reasonable steps to mitigate the problem first.
Often carried out by licensed commercial operators (e.g. snake catchers, possum removalists) who may charge a fee.

Side-by-Side Comparison

	Standard Rescue	Damage Mitigation Permit
Animal's condition	Sick, injured or orphaned	Usually healthy — just in conflict with people or property
Purpose	Animal welfare — save the animal	Protect property, crops, or human health & wellbeing
Who does it	Volunteer wildlife carers & rescue groups (like WRAPT)	Permit holders — often licensed commercial operators or landholders
Authority	Rehabilitation permit under the Nature Conservation Act 1992	Damage mitigation permit under the Nature Conservation Act 1992 / Nature Conservation (Animals) Regulation 2020
Outcome	Rehabilitation and release back to the wild	Removal & relocation of the animal, or (in limited cases) culling/dispersal
Cost to you	Free (donations always appreciated!)	Commercial operators typically charge a call-out fee
First step	Call the WRAPT hotline: 0474 630 785	Contact a licensed removalist, or the Qld Department of the Environment about permits

Which One Do I Need?

Rescue: "A wallaby was hit by a car and is lying on the roadside." — The animal is injured. Call our hotline immediately.

Rescue: "I found a baby possum alone on the ground and can't see its mother." — Likely orphaned. That's a rescue.

Rescue: "A bird flew into my window and can't fly away." — Injured or stunned wildlife is a rescue.

DMP: "A healthy possum has moved into my roof and I want it removed." — Removal and relocation of a healthy animal requires a DMP holder, such as a licensed possum removalist.

DMP: "There's a snake in my shed." — If it's healthy, contact a licensed snake catcher (they operate under a DMP). If it appears injured, call us first.

DMP: "Kangaroos or flying-foxes are damaging my crops." — Landholders can apply to the Queensland Government for a damage mitigation permit. Non-lethal deterrents must generally be attempted first.

Not sure? Call us anyway on 0474 630 785. If it's a rescue, we'll respond. If it's a DMP situation, we'll point you toward the right licensed operator. Never attempt to catch, relocate or harm native wildlife yourself — all native animals are protected under the Nature Conservation Act 1992, and handling them without the appropriate permit is an offence.

Where WRAPT Fits In

WRAPT Wildlife Carers Townsville is a volunteer rescue and rehabilitation organisation operating under rehabilitation permit WA0072940. We rescue and care for sick, injured and orphaned native wildlife with the goal of returning every animal to the wild.

We are not a pest-removal or relocation service, and we do not carry out work that requires a damage mitigation permit. For healthy-animal removals, please engage a licensed operator, or see the Queensland Government's information on damage mitigation permits.

📞 Wildlife Hotline: 0474 630 785 Rescue Help Guide I Found... Guide Report Wildlife Online