About Us

Snowy Mountains Wildlife Rescue (locally known as LAOKO) is a not-for-profit wildlife rescue and rehabilitation group based in the Snowy Monaro region of New South Wales. LAOKO was established in 1988, making it the second longest running licenced wildlife rescue and rehabilitation organisation in NSW.

Our 100% volunteer-run organisation covers an area of approximately 15,000 square kilometres (1.5 million hectares) and encompasses towns such as Cooma, Bombala, Delegate, Bredbo, Berridale,
Jindabyne, Kalkite, Adaminaby – and also includes Kosciuszko National Park plus the ski resorts of Thredbo, Perisher, Selwyn and Charlotte Pass.

The area that we cover can be seen here.

Depending on their time and availability the involvement of our volunteers ranges from office bearers to phone staff providing emergency assistance through to rescues, transportation, euthanasia, natural disaster response, wildlife care, wombat mange treatment, media and public awareness, training, fundraising, sewing pouches/making enclosures and more.

Each year hundreds of native animals are orphaned, injured or killed due to many factors. These animals as a result will often come into care with Snowy Mountains Wildlife Rescue where they are they are rehabilitated for their eventual release back into the wild.

If you find a sick/injured/orphaned animal in our area, please contact us on (02) 6456 1313.

What we do and where donations go to

• To aid in the rehabilitation of sick or injured native wildlife. Our goal is to relocate rehabilitated wildlife back into the wild
• Promote and grow our service to ensure wildlife will continue to be cared for in the Snowy Monaro Region for many generations to come
• To provide native wildlife in need of protection with long and short-term care – including those which are sick, injured, orphaned or have suffered from mistreatment or cruelty
• To help other wildlife organisations by sharing volunteers, equipment, information and supplies whenever and wherever possible
• To provide and maintain an education program based on the principles of animal welfare, in addition to a conservation program – both directed towards a variety of ages/groups.

In 2023, we achieved our deductible gift recipient status which allows all donations $2 and above to be tax deductible.

We are also a member of the New South Wales Wildlife Council

For us to achieve our wildlife licence rescue and rehabilitation obligations, we also work with many other community organisations, government agencies and businesses such as National Parks and Wildlife Service, NSW Police – Monaro LAC, Snowy Hydro, Snowy River SES, Monaro RFS, Foundation for National Parks and Wildlife and Snowy Monaro Regional Council.