July 21-27, 2024: Issue 631

 

Wildlife are NOT Pets: Volunteer Carers - NSW NPWS Issue plea to surrender found wildlife to trained registered carers


July 12, 2024
Authorities are reminding NSW residents they must not attempt to take care of an injured, sick or orphaned native animal, instead they must ensure the animal is given the correct medical treatment by a vet or qualified carer.

With Winter well and truly upon us, there is often an increase in the number of animals hit on the road, particularly wombats and kangaroos. In the case of these animals, it's vital they receive the proper medical treatment as females may have joeys in their pouch.

While National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) and WIRES acknowledge that people often have the best intentions when rescuing an animal in need, it is important to understand that treatment of a native animal is complex, and attempting to do so without proper expertise can often cause more harm than good.

Native animals have specific dietary and living requirements that only a qualified wildlife carer can effectively maintain. In situations where these requirements are not met, the animal can suffer irreversible harm. This not only affects the animal but also causes distress for the wildlife rescuer who must intervene when the situation becomes critical.

The best and easiest way people can help wildlife requiring assistance is to contact a veterinarian or local wildlife rehabilitation group, or the 24/7 Sydney Wildlife Rescue on 9413 4300 or 24/7 WIRES Rescue Office on 1300 094 737.

For further information regarding what you should do if you find a sick, injured or orphaned animal please visit the NSW Government website.

Under the NSW Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016 it is illegal to possess or rehabilitate a native animal without authority. Only licensed wildlife rehabilitation providers or registered veterinarians can take a sick, injured or orphaned native animal into care.

If you would like to volunteer to rescue and rehabilitate native animals, you can join a wildlife rehabilitation group and complete the training required to care of sick or injured native animals.

WIRES CEO Leanne Taylor has stated:

'Whilst WIRES understands that members of the public intend no harm when they attempt to raise an orphaned or injured native animal themselves, invariably the animal either doesn't survive due to an incorrect diet or becomes humanised so it can't fend for itself and is unable to be returned to the wild.

'Too often we have animals surrendered to WIRES once they become ill through being fed the wrong food and by then it can be too late to save them. In cases involving kangaroo and wombat joeys or emu chicks if the animals do manage to survive, they can develop into adults with problematic or aggressive behaviours.

'The best way for the community to help a native animal in need of human intervention is to contact their nearest wildlife rescue group or WIRES for advice and if needed, a trained and authorised wildlife carer can attend, and they will contain and transport the animal for immediate veterinarian assessment. It is then raised according to NPWS protocols for release back into the wild where it belongs.'

Who you can contact for help
If you find injured, sick or orphaned native wildlife, you can contact either of the following for help:
  • a licensed wildlife rescue and rehabilitation group in the local area or, if it is a marine animal, a group who can help with an injured or sick marine animal.
  • the nearest vet in the local area.
  • the nearest National Parks area office.
For non-native species, contact the RSPCA or a vet.

Provide the respondent with as much information as possible about the native animal's location. The respondent will then arrange for a trained rehabilitator to rescue the animal.

If possible, you should stay with the animal until a rehabilitator arrives. There are some things you can do while waiting for a rehabilitator as listed below but follow any instructions if they have been provided to you by the respondent.

While waiting for a rescuer or taking an animal to a wildlife rehabilitator or veterinarian
If it is safe for both you and the animal, here are some things you can do.
  • Cover the animal with a towel or blanket.
  • Try to keep the animal calm and safe by placing it in a cardboard box or covered cage if you are able. Ensure the box or cage is secure so the animal can't escape.
  • Put the box in a quiet undisturbed dark place and do not offer any food or water unless advised by a vet or wildlife rescuer.
  • If it is an orphaned young animal or a bird, it will need to be kept warm.
  • Keep any pets and people well away from the area to reduce stress from sight, noise or handling.
How to get involved
If you want to volunteer to rescue and rehabilitate native animals, you can join a wildlife rehabilitation group and take the training required to care for sick or injured native animals so they can be returned to the wild.

To become a volunteer at Sydney Wildlife Rescue visit: www.sydneywildlife.org.au/become-a-volunteer
To become a volunteer at WIRES visit: www.wires.org.au/wildlifevolunteering

Both these groups have members who respond to calls for help in our area.

There are many ways you can help out and be part of the solution which do not require rescuing wildlife - cutting up food for rehabilitation facilities, for example, or answering the phone for call outs.

In text Photo: Blossom the Ringtail Possum, courtesy Sydney Wildlife Rescue


Wildlife laws could be overhauled in Queensland after the saga of Molly the magpie, a bird kept by former wildlife carers to make money from through an Instagram page and products/ books sold, sparked a national uproar. 

A review of nature laws could allow Queenslanders, due to have a state election this October 26 2024, to acquire licences to care for native animals that are deemed “unsuitable” to be returned to the wild.

Queensland’s Environment Minister Leanne Linard confirmed on May 1 2024 to Yahoo News she had asked her department’s Director General to undertake an eight-week review of the Code of Practice that governs the care of injured, sick and orphaned animals.

“As the current Code of Practice has been in place for more than three years, and its operation has been tested in that period, it is [time] for a detailed review to consider its effectiveness, useability and completeness. In particular, lessons learnt from recent cases will be considered as part of the review,” she said.

Molly was taken from a Gold Coast couple because the Department of Environment (DESI) determined it was unsuitable to live as a wild bird because it was “highly habituated” to humans and likely had “developmental issues”. With the Peggy and Molly accounts attracting a following of over two million people across Instagram, Facebook and YouTube, there was never any thought the bird would be euthanised and plans were made to place it in a sanctuary.

But the case uncovered a separate instance of birds that weren’t so lucky. This involved a native white raven and exotic eclectus parrot that had been cared for by Twinnies Pelican and Seabird Rescue for five years, which were surrendered due to a paperwork error and then destroyed by DESI on advice from vets.

The Twinnies case resulted in their local member Jason Hunt rushing to their house to break the heartbreaking news, and he then wrote to Linard asking her to intervene.

“With the recent cases of Molly the Magpie and the white crow and eclectus parrot cared for by Twinnies Pelican and Seabird Rescue, and following representations made by the Member for Caloundra, I asked the Director-General of my Department to undertake a review into the settings for the care of injured, sick and orphaned animals under the Nature Conservation Act 1992 and associated regulations and the Code of Practice,” Linard said.

“The Director-General has proposed that Queensland’s Chief Scientist undertake the review, supported by a panel of experts to provide a range of scientific input into the process.”

While Molly the magpie's followers were overjoyed by its return, many wildlife rescuers have been concerned Premier Steven Mile's intervention could lead Australians to believe its okay to take magpies and other wildlife home and raise them.

Linard said her review will focus on three aspects of the Code of Practice which include:

  1. The regulatory framework as it relates to the care of injured, sick and orphaned wildlife,
  2. The effectiveness, useability and completeness of the Code of Practice for injured, sick and orphaned animals, and
  3. The case for a new class of carer's licence for animals that are unsuitable to be rehabilitated and returned to the wild, but might otherwise be healthy.

However, on May 30 2024 the Queensland government released the following statement:

$500,000 in grants for passionate wildlife carers

By: Minister for the Environment and the Great Barrier Reef and Minister for Science and Innovation; The Honourable Leanne Linard

The Miles Government is making up to $500,000 in funding available for individuals and organisations who care for sick and injured native wildlife.

Grants of up to $10,000 are available to individual wildlife carers, with up to $25,000 available for wildlife care organisations.

People with a passion for caring for sick and injured native animals and releasing them back into the wild are encouraged to apply for funding to increase their capacity for rehabilitation services.

The funding will help existing or new wildlife carers and wildlife organisations with current and valid rehabilitation permits to provide services that generate the greatest benefit for Queensland’s sick, injured or orphaned wildlife.

Eligible applicants include individuals and not for profit organisations that:

  • Hold a current Queensland rehabilitation permit as an individual wildlife rehabilitator or wildlife care group
  • Are conducting or intend to conduct rehabilitation activities in accordance with their rehabilitation permit issued by the department.

The grants will cover training expenses, care equipment such as enclosures and shelters, hospital and feeding consumables, food and food preparation and storage equipment.

The Minister for the Environment and the Great Barrier Reef and Minister for Science and Innovation Leanne Linard has stated:

“Our wonderful wildlife carers and care groups provide a vital service to our native wildlife and the Miles Government is committed to supporting them.

“This $500,000 investment under round eight of our Community Sustainability Action grants will increase the availability of expert help for sick and injured native animals across Queensland.

“This new funding with help our dedicated cares expand their capacity to support native wildlife rescue, rehabilitation and release to the wild.

“Our passionate wildlife carers will be able to purchase the necessary equipment to support the provision of acute, intermediate and pre-release care.

“Importantly, this funding will benefit wildlife rehabilitation across Queensland by helping train the next generation of wildlife carers.

“I have seen first-hand the vital work of Queensland’s passionate and dedicated wildlife carers, and I’m pleased this funding will allow them to continue caring for animals in need.

“Providing care for sick and injured animals can be a 24/7 responsibility and there is great joy when our wildlife carers release rehabilitated animals back into the wild.”

NSW Government Is Looking To The Future: Improving Wildlife Rehabilitation And Care

The NSW Government announced on Wednesday May 15 2024, it is launching statewide consultation on the wildlife rehabilitation sector to gain a detailed understanding of how NSW can improve the way we care for our native animals.

The consultation will examine the challenges facing the sector, identify best practices and recommend next steps.

Parliamentary Secretary for the Environment Trish Doyle will lead the consultation and provide a report on the outcomes to Minister for the Environment Penny Sharpe within 12 months.

In NSW, 40 wildlife rehabilitation groups involving more than 8600 people rescue an average of 110,000 animals a year.

The sector is mostly made up of dedicated and passionate volunteers who respond to more than 180,000 calls for help from the community each year.

This work is supported by specialised wildlife hospitals and many local veterinary services.

The value of the sector’s work is estimated at $27 million a year.

The consultation will consider a range of areas:
  • challenges for the sector
  • resourcing
  • connections within the sector
  • service gaps and duplication
  • involvement in emergency response and significant wildlife events
  • administrative and legislative provisions
  • support for wildlife hospitals and veterinary practices.
'Our state is home to animals which live nowhere else on this planet and the NSW Government is committed to ensuring sick and injured native wildlife receive the best care and rehabilitation. The government recently invested $8 million into wildlife hospitals and care facilities across NSW and another $500,000 to support wildlife rehabilitators in Sydney’s South West.' the government said in a release

This consultation will inform next steps for the NSW Volunteer Wildlife Rehabilitation Sector Strategy 2020-23. That strategy will be extended until 30 June 2025 while this review is underway.

Minister for Climate Change and the Environment Penny Sharpe said:

“Wildlife rescuers and rehabilitators are essential to the care and survival of native animals across NSW.

“We need to build on the achievements of the previous strategy and ensure the sector is supported for the future.

“I look forward to receiving this review, which will help inform and guide this important work.”

Parliamentary Secretary for the Environment Trish Doyle said:
“The NSW Government values the contribution of wildlife rehabilitators, who provide valuable work for the community by rescuing and caring for sick, injured and orphaned native animals across the state every day.

“I look forward to listening to their experiences to understand the challenges and opportunities facing the sector.

“We need an integrated, future focused strategy to support the wonderful people who care for our native animals, while ensuring wildlife rehabilitation services are well connected and sustainable.”