All native birds, reptiles, amphibians and mammals, except dingoes, are protected in New South Wales under the Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016. It is an offence to harm, kill or remove native animals unless you hold a licence.

Learn about native animals

Understanding the behaviour and needs of native animals in your area is one of the best ways to appreciate them and to avoid conflict with them.

  • Read Native animal fact sheets to learn about well-known and not so well-known mammals, birds, frogs and other native animals that may live in your local area.
  • Search the BioNet Atlas of NSW Wildlife for recorded sightings of plants, mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, some fish and invertebrates that live in New South Wales.
  • Contact your local council or Local Land Services for information or guides to native animals in your area.
Common brushtail possum (Trichosurus vulpecula) eating stolen fruit from inside house
Common brushtail possum (Trichosurus vulpecula). 
Credit: V Duncan/DPE
A common brushtail possum (Trichosurus vulpecula) eating fruit.

Why you shouldn’t feed native animals

It can be tempting to feed native animals, especially when they seem hungry or friendly, but it is usually not good for them and can create problems for the community.

Feeding wildlife can:

  • make animals sick, especially if the food is unsuitable or contaminated
  • make animals rely on people instead of finding their own natural food
  • change natural behaviour and make animals more likely to gather around homes, parks or picnic areas
  • increase aggression, competition and the spread of disease
  • attract predators and pest animals
  • create problems for neighbours and public areas, such as noise, waste and droppings.

Native animals also play important roles in the environment, such as spreading seeds, pollinating plants and helping control insects. Feeding them can reduce these natural behaviours.

If you are worried about someone feeding native animals, a friendly conversation may help. You could explain why feeding wildlife is harmful and ask them to stop.

Better ways to help wildlife include:

  • planting locally native plants that provide natural food and shelter
  • keeping pets contained
  • providing clean water in hot or dry conditions where appropriate.

While not illegal, feeding native animals on private land is discouraged, and if native animals are harmed, even accidentally, as a result of feeding them, it could be considered an offence.

More information