YIKES, echidnas: There is a spike in the number of echidnas out and about at present.
Echidnas (pictured) are most often seen during spring and summer as they look for termites.
WIRES south branch has already had several calls this season to rescue the spiky little creatures after they have dug themselves in alongside roads or appeared in backyards.
The advice from WIRES to people finding an echidna is to leave it alone unless it is in danger.
The best thing to do is to restrain your pets — WIRES carers said echidnas are prone to being attacked by dogs.
The echidna will soon move off by itself — usually at dusk or under the cover of night, when all is quiet.
See more at: http://www.wiresnr.org/echidna.html
Have you spotted any echidnas in your area lately?