Animal carers say they are developing PTSD from the volume of injured wildlife

Published: April 13, 2016

Wildlife rehabilitators across Tasmania are raising concerns about the mounting psychological toll of their volunteer work. The high volume of injured animals they manage, combined with the often-distressing nature of the injuries, has led many to report symptoms consistent with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

The relentless cycle of rescue, medical treatment, and, in many cases, euthanasia is proving to be a catalyst for compassion fatigue. Carers often work in isolation, handling wildlife impacted by vehicle strikes, dog attacks, and habitat loss, with limited access to specialized mental health support.

“It is not just about the rescue,” one volunteer noted. “It is the cumulative exposure to trauma. When you are looking after dozens of animals simultaneously, the emotional burden of the ones you cannot save becomes impossible to ignore.”