WIRES has asked Lismore residents to be on the lookout for injured echidnas after a member of the public helped with the rescue of an orphaned puggle.

The animal rescue organisation said “Damian” was driving along High Street in Goonellabah late Saturday night when he came across a dead echidna that had been hit by a car.

Damian noticed something moving on her stomach and after calling the 24 hour WIRES hotline for help he delivered the echidna to WIRES volunteer Leoni who was able to safely remove a tiny puggle from its mum’s ‘pouch’.

“This tiny bundle is very young - just 26 days ago it hatched from the egg,” a WIRES spokesperson said.

“Its eyes are not yet open, spines are yet to develop and weight is just 67 grams.

“Little Damian (as it has been named) is comfortable and being fed special puggle formula.

“Being so very young its long term fate is as yet uncertain. Thank you Damian for sparing this little Puggle from being left in his dead mums ‘pouch’ to slowly succumb to the elements.”.

July and August is breeding time for echidnas.

“Right now, and for the next two months, female echidnas may be carrying either an egg or a very small puggle in her ‘pouch’,” the spokesperson said.

“Should you come across an injured echidna please stop and check for a puggle.

“When mum is injured the puggle may roll away, so please check for what may look like a golf ball nearby.

“If the puggle is still in mum’s ‘pouch’ please do not remove it. Transport mum echidna as well, even if she is deceased.

“In all cases please call WIRES straight away for help on 66281898.”

Anyone keen to make a difference for the wildlife in our area can join WIRES. For more information call 66281898.