Thousands of native animals are caught in backyard nets, fences, and fishing lines each year in Australia, leading to injury and death. Here’s how you can help.
New Delhi, India Jul 11, 2026 ALN: Every year, thousands of native animals in Australia become entangled in everyday items such as fruit tree netting, fences, and fishing gear, often resulting in severe injury or death. The alarming rise in wildlife entanglements has been documented, with at least 3,500 cases reported annually in New South Wales alone, and over 2,000 incidents recorded in Victoria last year.
According to ecologist and bat rehabilitator Jasmine Vink, the scale of this issue is much greater than many people realize. The majority of entanglement cases involve flying foxes, particularly the grey-headed flying fox, which is classified as vulnerable under national laws. These bats often become trapped in backyard nets or caught on barbed wire in rural areas.
“Very few of these bats can be treated once they’re entangled,” Vink explains. “They suffer from exposure, heat, dehydration, blood loss, and predation. Raptors often prey on them while they are stuck.”
However, the problem extends beyond flying foxes; hundreds of species, including kangaroos, platypus, raptors, and gliders, are affected by entanglements. Lisa Palma, CEO of Wildlife Victoria, emphasizes that these wildlife emergencies are largely preventable. “These incidents stem from everyday human activities—not intentional harm—but they can lead to devastating injuries and unnecessary suffering for wildlife,” Palma states.
Fortunately, simple actions can significantly reduce the number of native animals harmed by entanglement. By properly disposing of rubbish, using wildlife-friendly netting and fencing, and being mindful of our impact on the , we can help protect these animals.
Backyard netting is commonly used to protect homegrown fruits and vegetables from native animals and pests, but it can also pose a significant risk to wildlife. Hungry animals, especially flying foxes, birds, and possums, are attracted to the fruits and can easily become trapped in large-aperture nets, where the mesh size exceeds 5mm.
“A good rule of thumb is that if you can poke a finger through the netting, it’s not safe for wildlife,” Vink advises. The consequences of entanglement can be horrific, particularly for mother bats and their pups, who may become trapped together, leading to tragic outcomes.
Safer alternatives include nets with smaller mesh sizes and cross-weave designs. Wildlife Victoria also promotes the use of fruit tree protection bags, which can safeguard some branches while leaving others accessible to wildlife. Additionally, light-colored materials are recommended as they are more visible to animals at night. Nets should be kept taut and checked regularly to prevent them from folding around animals.
Some state governments and bat rescue organizations offer free “net swaps,” allowing individuals to exchange lethal netting for wildlife-friendly options. In a recent program in Victoria, over 600 lethal nets were surrendered, and 359 replacements were provided free of charge. In Victoria and the Australian Capital Territory, the use or sale of large-aperture fruit netting is illegal, and community members are encouraged to report illegal netting practices.
Aquatic debris accounts for approximately 10% of entanglement cases, according to wildlife rescue data from New South Wales. For platypus, this poses a serious threat, particularly in urban waterways. These animals frequently become entangled in fishing gear and human rubbish, which is responsible for 8% of platypus mortalities in Victoria.
“Platypus are particularly vulnerable due to their webbed feet, which make it difficult for them to remove litter once it becomes entangled,” explains Dr. Geoff Williams from the Australian Platypus Conservancy. Fishing line is especially hazardous, as it can cause severe injuries by cutting through the skin.
Hair ties, commonly used for ponytails, have also emerged as a growing concern. “When people swim in summer, they often drop hair ties in creeks, where they can end up around a platypus,” Dr. Williams warns. “Elasticated hair ties are particularly problematic because they can easily be swept away by rain and end up in waterways.”
While most people are responsible, it’s crucial to properly dispose of fishing line and rubbish, especially items with loops. Dr. Williams advises, “Snip it and bin it.” Surprisingly, even flying foxes can get caught in fishing line, often while skimming over water.
In Western Australia, the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions has implemented a program called Reel It In, which has installed yellow bins at popular fishing spots for the safe disposal of unwanted fishing line and tackle, collecting over 250 kilometers of line to date. Most states, with the exception of Queensland, have banned the sale of enclosed yabby nets, which have been particularly deadly to native wildlife.
Outside urban areas, barbed wire poses a significant risk to wildlife. In the past year, Wildlife Victoria rescued over 800 kangaroos from fences. As land-based animals, kangaroos often need to jump over fences to navigate properties. If startled or moving quickly, they can become entangled in the top wires.
“There’s an overwhelming amount of barbed wire—thousands of kilometers,” Vink notes. “In north Queensland, for instance, we had nearly 250 little red flying foxes caught on a single property in just one week.” Flying foxes often cannot see fences, particularly in poor visibility conditions.
Most entanglements occur on the top strand of barbed wire, leading to solutions that involve replacing that strand with plain wire or installing reflective materials to enhance visibility.
If you encounter trapped or entangled wildlife, it’s crucial to avoid approaching or touching the animal, as this can cause additional stress. Instead, contact your local wildlife rescue or use the International Fund for Animal Welfare’s wildlife rescue app to locate the nearest licensed carer.
Flying foxes should only be handled by trained individuals with appropriate vaccinations and protective equipment. With the recent arrival of H5 bird flu in Australia, the public is urged to avoid contact with any dead or sick birds or animals displaying signs of the virus and to report such sightings to the emergency animal disease hotline.
By taking these steps and being mindful of our impact on wildlife, we can work together to reduce the number of native animals caught and killed by everyday items.
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