Rescue & rehabilitation
The centre rescues and cares all types of native wildlife, but specializes in reptiles. Animals that we receive or rescue can be either sick, injured, abandoned, confiscated or surrendered.
For further assistance or information if you have found an injured reptile, please do not hesitate to contact us. We do have a list of other reptile removalists that may be able to assist, if we cannot.
If you have found injured marsupials or birds, call the Wildcare Helpline instead on (08) 9474 9055.
Sick, injured or orphaned wildlife
- Snakes are frequently attacked by cats (targetting juveniles), dogs, run over by vehicles and injured by people. We have also rescued snakes with their heads stuck in aluminium cans. Many snakes are sighted in backyards, especially following fence lines in an attempt to try to find its way out. If a snake is sighted in the house, it is important that you watch it from a safe distance and if possible get someone else to ring for assistance. If you cannot do this, then ensure all pets are inside and keep watching from a safe distance. The reptile will either find a safe place to hide (then it can be removed by a professional) or simply find its way out.
- Bobtails are mainly hit by vehicles, attacked by dogs or cats and injured by lawnmowers, whippersnippers or bushfires. Bobtails are the most common reptile we receive being sick or injured and the number of those being attacked by dogs and cats increases each year.
- Birds (including nocturnals) are commonly found on the side of the road after being hit by a car. Baby birds attempting their first flight often fall to the ground.
- Marsupials (kangaroos, wombats, possums) are frequent victims of accidents involving vehicles and can be found on the side of the road. Most joeys survive the accidents and can be found inside their mother's pouch.
- If you find an injured reptile (or you would like a reptile to be relocated) and require assistance, please contact us. For birds and marsupials, please call the Wildcare Helpline instead on (08) 9474 9055.
Hospital
- A rehabilitation hospital is housed on the property where many sick and injured animals are nursed back to health and returned to the wild whenever possible.
- Animals ready to be released are thoroughfully assessed whether they can feed and move on their own and whether suitable and safe areas are found.
- Others with permanent injuries are kept at the Centre and utilized in our education programme for schools and communities.
Costs
- The costs of animal care include veterinary (surgery, pre and post-operation care, x-rays, medications), feeding, cleaning, enrichment, utilities and advertising.
- As it is privately owned, the Armadale Reptile and Wildlife Centre receives no financial support from the Government and is totally reliant on admission income, counter sales and the generosity of the public for its funding.
- Your visit will greatly support the work we do, so we can continue to help our native wildlife.
- Donations are always welcome.
Want to do your bit to protect the environment and to help us treat sick and injured fauna?
Help reduce negative impact on our unique wildlife
- Drive slowly and carefully on the road from dusk to dawn when animals are mostly active. Also, pay attention to some species being active during the night in warmer months.
- Keep the environment clean by disposing rubbish responsibly in adequate bins and avoid littering.
- Be aware of small mammals and reptiles that may be hiding in the tall grass in your backyard, double-check the area before starting mowing or whipper-snipping.
- Be responsible with your pets. Teach your dog to leave wildlife alone. Leave cats indoors.
Hog's community cash
Hog's Breath Cafe Kelmscott has generously offered our centre to be a part of their community cash program. For every $30 you spend you can ask for a $5 community cash card. Once we have enough cards, we can cash them in for money to help us pay for the care and treatment of such animals!
As we do not receive any funding, this is very exciting for us and hopefully can enable us to build much needed hospital boxes and to upgrade our rehabilitation facilities!
Please think of us when you are dining at Hog's Breath Cafe Kelmscott.
Cape to Cape Cocky Run
Recent environmental developments have left three black cockatoo species endangered and vulnerable.
Ecologist and long-distance runner, Rankin Salinas, ran the iconic Cape to Cape Track - from Cape Leeuwin lighthouse to Cape Naturaliste lighthouse (135km), in less than 24 hours on the 28th-29th of March 2020.
Rankin and his student-led team are using the run to help raise $10,000 for Nature Conservation Margaret River Region’s Black Cockatoo Conservation Program. This program will help us to understand how three black cockatoo species use the landscape within the Margaret River Region and to understand how the birds use roost sites, water holes and feeding sites throughout the year.
Visit their FB page at https://www.facebook.com/Cape2CapeCockyRun to know more about this project. Additionally, if you would like to support their work and make a donation, you can head over to their fundraiser page at: http://gf.me/u/xifcz8
Facilities
Multiple facilities are available to ensure visitors have a pleasant day with us at the Centre.
Parking
Free parking area with ample space.
Disabled
Cater for disabled persons: wheelchair access and ramps throughout the Centre.
Snacks & drinks
Vending machines and ice creams available.
Picnic
Picnic areas with tables and free undercover BBQ facilities.
Baby change room
Baby changing facilities available for your convenience.
EFTPOS
Payments can be made by cash or through EFTPOS
Souvenirs
A range of items from books to figurines to purchase after your visit.
Parties & social functions
Birthday parties and small social functions can be held at the centre. Undercover sitting area available.
Services
Groups
Schools and social groups are welcome, we give a discount for larger groups. After-hours visits can be arranged by appointment, this may be useful for Scout or Guide groups.
Education
We provide a mobile education service to schools who may be unable to visit the Centre due to time or supervision restraints.
In-house courses
The Centre runs in-house awareness courses and assists Environmental officers in the correct capture methods and/or identification of reptiles found in their areas. Contact us for more details.
GALLERY
Gallery of some of our australian wildlife. Click/tap on the picture to read their description. There are more animals on display at the centre and we welcome any enquiries for further information.
Contact
For more information, please feel free to contact us or send us an enquiry using the form below.
Address
308 South Western Highway, Wungong 6112, WA
Contact
08 9399 6927
armreptilecentre@bigpond.com
Klaas Gaikhorst, Mieke Gaikhorst
Kristy Gaikhorst, Lucy Kowalski
Opening hours
Open 10am to 4pm daily
Closed Wednesdays (except during school holidays)
Closed on Xmas, Boxing and New Year days
Map
Directions
By car:
From Armadale towards Byford: take South Western Hwy, right hand side after Stone St.
From Byford towards Armadale: take South Western Hwy, left hand side after Moore St.
By public transport:
From Armadale Train Station (Armadale line): catch buses 252 or 254 to Byford, stop at "St Western Hwy before Rails Cres" (number 13127).
OPEN MAP IN GOOGLE MAPS
