Help needed for wildlife rehabilitation

Volunteers with a redneck wallaby joey.

By Margaret Maccoll

Spring is a busy time for the Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre at Eumundi and with 15 to 20 animals coming in daily, the centre would be grateful of some volunteer assistance.
Noosa Today spoke with centre manager Vicky Toomey this week which marked World Animal Day on 4 October.
Operated by the RSPVA, the centre has three paid staff and a “flotilla” of volunteers – who in the past year – cared for 2400 animals that were brought in from across the Sunshine Coast region including Noosa.
At present it houses koalas, possums, amphibians, reptiles and birds as they recover and rehabilitate from injury, illness and accident, but birds are the most common visitor now.
“There is a high component coming through with injuries,” she said.
While birds are preoccupied feeding the chicks and young birds are starting to fly, they are vulnerable to dog and cat attacks.
At other times they end up on the ground where well-meaning people sometimes find them and bring them in.
“It’s always good to return them to their parents,” she said.
There are also a number of lizards arriving at the centre.
“They go in search of sun to warm up and dogs and cats find them.”
Anyone wanting to help can phone 5442 8057.