Animals are on the move in the Highlands as spring approaches, and the mating season has already begun for many species.

Lucy was found by a concerned Highlander and was taken to the vet before she was given to WIRES volunteer Michelle Lewis.

Ms Lewis said Lucy was too young to survive on her own.

“She would have been riding on her mother’s back, as she was just 380 grams, but thanks to plenty of feeds with special joey milk formula, Lucy has reached 460 grams already,” she said.

“She’s now lapping from a bowl and will soon go into an outdoor enclosure in preparation for release later this year.”

Echidnas have also been spotted on our roads, even though their breeding season is in winter.

Yerrinbool resident Jen Bucknell recently moved an echidna off the road near Catherine Hill.

“We need to be aware of animals crossing the roads,” she said.

WIRES Wingecarribee is in need of more volunteers to help look after injured or abandoned animals.

IRES members will hold a Rescue and Immediate Care Course (RICC) in Mittagong on September 11, as caring for NSW wildlife requires specific training and licensing.

The course is fully accredited and costs $175.

Ms Lewis said the training course was “terrific” for anyone who wanted to help care for and protect native wildlife.

“I did the training course back in 2008 and I absolutely love doing what I do with WIRES,” she said.

“I wanted to make a difference, and by rescuing and rehabilitating our unique native animals I feel I really am.”

For more information on the upcoming WIRES RICC course, email Training@wires.org.au or visit www.WIRES.org.au.