Halloween warning from wildlife authorities

As we get closer to the tail end of October (and a particularly spooky date), locals are encouraged to be mindful about what kind of decorations they use.

Whether or not you believe Halloween should be celebrated in Australia, locals are being encourage to stay away from a specific spooky styling, being the popular 'fake cobweb' props.

Usually produced from a plastic cause or synthetic cotton-wool blend, the decoration has actually be revealed to pose a serious risk to wildlife, with many species susceptible to being trapped in it, or choking on it when mistaking it for food.

Do you celebrate Halloween? Have your say here!

Images surfaced online in October 2025 of a Kookaburra found dying after being entangled in the fake webbing, restricting its neck. Among birds, possums and lizards are the most impacted species.

While no fines are imposed in Baw Baw Shire, or elsewhere in Victoria at this stage, South Australian Councils' are beginning to ban the use of artificial webs, with Marion Council residents facing $300 if found using them on their property, which officers on foot patrol will be on the lookout for in the municipality as part of the Council's second year of their official opposition.

"If a community member raised a concern around this issue (in Baw Baw), it would be investigated and addressed appropriately", a Baw Baw Shire spokesperson said when approached for comment.  

RSPCA Australia Chief Science Officer, Dr Suzie Fowler, said spider web decorations were "the main risk to our native animals", listing fledging birds as "particularly vulnerable during Australia's spring nesting season.

RSPCA advises that if you find entangled wildlife, contact your local wildlife rescue organisation immediately rather than attempting a rescue that could cause further harm.

While Wildlife Victoria doesn't collect data on the impact of seasonal decorations, the organisation actively encourages the community to use "wildlife-safe alternatives" when decorating homes for Halloween.

Their suggestions include:

• Straw-Twigs and branches
• Cardboard cutouts
• Sheeps wool

"Switching out the synthetic decorations or avoiding them entirely allows our wildlife to enjoy the Halloween season safely", Wildlife Victoria told the Gazette.