Images of injured wildlife tug at the heart strings, but most people are unsure of what to do when confronted with a real-life situation. With a lifelong love of animals, Bev Trevithick spent 20 years on her family’s Sydney acreage as a WIRES carer of numerous birds and possums whilst also carrying out her profession as a physiotherapist. On moving to the Sunshine Coast in 2005, Bev continued in her profession until her retirement in 2018, when she began volunteering at the RSPCA Eumundi Wildlife Centre (EWLC) as a Wildlife Assistant. At the upcoming Friday Forum, Bev will present an overview of EWLC’s development from its inception to the present day. The session will cover the importance of wildlife rescue, fundamental rescue procedures, guidelines on when not to intervene, and provide insight into daily operations at the centre, including triage and release protocols.
Bev’s love of koalas led her to join Wildcare Australia’s Noosa/Sunshine Coast koala rescue group. At this forum, Bev will be joined by Katrina Koutsellis, a qualified animal ecologist who is also a dedicated member of this team. Koalas that are injured, displaced, or diseased are rescued through trapping or poling by the team, transported to the Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital for treatment, and subsequently released back into their natural habitat. Beyond fieldwork, Katrina has contributed to the Noosa and Gympie Koala Conservation Plans, the Noosa Koala Connect Program and is focused on practical, field-based conservation outcomes for koalas and other endangered species. Bev and Katrina will discuss Wildcare Australia’s role in the rescue and release of wildlife, specifically koalas.
Join this engaging and educational session with Bev and Katrina at Friday Environment Forum on August 22nd at the Noosa Parks Association Environment Centre, 5 Wallace Drive, Noosaville, starting at 10:30am with morning tea available from 10am. Entry is $5 by ‘tap & go’ at the door which includes morning tea/coffee.
Join the bird observers at 8.30am in the carpark for interpretive birding.
For more info: www.noosaparks.org.au
