Rescuers urge drivers to look out following spike in echidnas on the roads

Why did the echidna cross the road? It’s a prickly question, and one wildlife carers are urging Langwarrin drivers to consider after a sudden spike in these cute critters taking to our thoroughfares.

This little guy was rescued after dicing with a drain on Quarry Rd in Langwarrin.

A wildlife rescue group is urging motorists to keep their eyes peeled following a spike in echidnas crossing the road at Langwarrin.

AWARE wildlife rescuer Michelle Curtain made the plea after she saved an echidna who got himself into a prickly situation when he became stuck inside a drain at Quarry Rd on Sunday.

A child in a passing car noticed the critter who was jammed inside the gutter and the driver immediately called the wildlife hotline.

With traffic flying by at 60km/h, the advanced rescue mission drew a crowd including Victoria Police and Ambulance Victoria who stopped to see what the commotion was about.

Ms Curtain said the rescue required extra care as the further the animal went down the gutter, the more his spikes became stuck.

Michelle Curtain lowered herself into the drain while members of the public and police attempted to budge the animal out.

“All the spines press in together and once they go all the way in, you can’t get them back out,” she said.

“The police came and blocked off Quarry Rd, we got some tools and removed the gutter lid.”

The lucky critter had no injuries and scurried away into the bushes.

Michelle Curtain frees the echidna from the gutter.

Ms Curtain said the group had been called out to multiple echidna-related incidents on the roads, including an accident last week where one bloodied victim could not be revived.

She said she has been petitioning to Frankston City Council for up to a year to have an echnida wildlife warning sign installed on the road, which is a hotspot for creatures crossing over.

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“The weather is getting warmer which means more animals will be out on the roads,” she said.

“If you see an echidna stuck or injured, do not try to help it yourself, call the wildlife rescue hotline immediately.

“Echidnas are a part of our unique Australian wildlife … we need to make sure we protect the animals that have managed to adapt in suburbia.”

If you see an animal in trouble, call the 24/7 Wildlife Emergency Hotline on 0412 433 727.