WA WILDLIFE has launched an emergency fundraiser after unprecedented demand for animal rescues drained its reserves and left it having to consider cutbacks.
The service, formerly known as Native Arc, is tucked beside Bibra Lake and for the last two years has been operating WA’s first native animal hospital to be licensed by the WA Veterinary Surgeons’ Board.
Operations director Dean Huxley told the Herald it had been WA Wildlife’s busiest two years ever, with urban sprawl and encroachment on bushland seeing more than 13,000 sick and injured animals admitted.
• Dr Justin from WA Wildlife’s native vet hospital checks up on a sleepy echidna.
Mr Huxley said some of the demand was also driven by improving attitudes towards native wildlife and their welfare.
“I think before some people would find animals and probably consider self-euthanising, but now they know that there are other options,” he said.
“I’ve definitely seen people’s attitudes towards native animals changing.”
A big drain on the reserves was treating 55 oil-covered pelicans brought in between June and September last year from around the Penguin Island and Rockingham area.
Mr Huxley said authorities were never able to identify the source of the oil spill, but it was almost certainly land-based to have lasted so long without being picked up, with the region’s landfill sites considered the most likely source.
If the culprit was identified they could have been ordered to pick up some of WA Wildlife’s costs, but while it did get a $20,000 cash injection from the International Fund for Animal Welfare and WIRES (Wildlife Rescue), the pelicans’ treatment burnt a $30,000 hole in its budget.
• A spoonbill with a busted beak gets some care and attention.
Mr Huxley said some of the pelicans were released with tracking devices in an effort to find the source, but all they learned was how free-ranging the species could be.
“One went up to Toodyay International Fund for Animal Welfare and WIRES (Wildlife Rescue), the pelicans’ treatment burnt a $30,000 hole in its budget.
Mr Huxley said some of the pelicans were released with tracking devices in an effort to find the source, but all they learned was how free-ranging the species could be.
“One went up to Toodyay two hours later, even though it had been brought in from Rockingham,” he said.
“They scattered in every direction.”
WA Wildlife’s appeal notes that in the last year, its volunteers have put 100,000 hours towards rescuing and caring for injured animals.
“Lack of funding also has an impact on our entire team,” it said.
“Only 15 per cent of our funding comes from local government, with the major source of funding coming from the public and our sponsors.
“Our dedicated team is trying their best to provide the services needed to continue to care for sick and injured wildlife.
“Unfortunately, without your support we will need to consider whether we are able to continue with the level of services currently provided.”
To support WA Wildlife, go to wa-wildlife.giveeasy.org/urgent-help-needed-to-save-more-wildlife
by STEVE GRANT