Animal Welfare Australia Project #44512

Support Australian wildlife rescue to release

by Wildlife Information Rescue and Education Service Limited

Project Report | Jan 23, 2025
You helped save infant wildlife

By Linda Jordan | Community Fundraising and Events Executive

Thank you so much for the rescue and care you helped us provide native animals over the last six months. A lot of lives were saved thanks to your support – and for little joeys – it really does mean the world.

Last month, a member of the public in the Blue Mountains, NSW found a deceased Swamp Wallaby on the side of the road. He did a pouch check, and realized the wallaby still had a live infant in her pouch.

He quickly called WIRES for help. Our Wildlife Rescue Office carefully talked the man through gently removing the joey, making sure the joey’s mouth wasn’t still attached to his mother’s teat.

The joey was transferred to WIRES volunteer Tracey, who’s providing him with the care and rehabilitation he needs, until he’s old enough for release back into the wild.

Another tiny infant - this time a long necked turtle was found a week later in a pool filter. It was the size of a 50 cent coin. Our volunteer carer Inga is an expert in turtle rehabilitation. She carefully checked the turtle for injuries, making sure the legs and neck could move and retract fully. The turtle seemed healthy and alert and had no injuries. As newly hatched turtles are fully independent, it was transferred immediately to a local fresh waterway.

Before finishing up, we wanted to introduce you to beautiful Ajooni featured at the top of this email. She was found on the side of a busy road in south west Sydney. Her mother had been struck and killed by a car.

A motorist saw Ajooni on the side of the road and called WIRES for urgent help. We sent out an emergency alert, and Ajooni was provided with the swift emergency rescue and care that saved her life. She's now doing well with WIRES koala carer Emma.

As with every single one of these rescue stories – thank you so much, for the critical role you play. We honestly could not do this work without you.

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Sep 30, 2024
Displaced koala receives urgent rescue

By Linda Jordan | Community Fundraising and Events Executive

In June, we received an urgent call about a young, displaced koala who was stranded on a fence line between two properties – both of which had large dogs. Worryingly, WIRES are receiving more and more calls about displaced koalas, as roads and housing developments cut through their remaining habitat.

We quickly dispatched our Queensland Emergency Responder Amy who, after some patient maneuvering, was able to safely enclose the young koala and gently check him for injuries.

Luckily, he didn’t appear to have been harmed by the dogs, but was sent for a more thorough assessment to Currumbin Wildlife Hospital. When ready he’ll be released into more suitable habitat nearby.

Strange sounds leads to rescued ducklings

Last month we received a call from a concerned member of the public. She could see a mother and one duckling on her neighbour's property, but she was also certain she could hear many more ducklings close by. She could also hear a dog barking and was worried he'd scared the ducklings away from their mother.

Our Wildlife Rescue Office stayed in touch throughout the morning. On the third call the woman had surprising news – she believed the sound was coming from the roof, inside a chimney! WIRES volunteer Helen arrived, and with our Rescue Office organized for the local Fire and Rescue to attend the scene and retrieve the trapped ducklings. The mother and ducklings spent the night with their WIRES volunteer for some rest and recuperation, and were released next to their local river the next morning.

Water Dragon lucky escape

Last month a member of the public found a Water Dragon stuck in the lid of her pool filter. Whilst the lid was able to be removed, the lizard appeared to be firmly stuck. She called WIRES and we dispatched our Emergency Responder Holly.

On arrival, Holly noted that the front half of the Water Dragon was out of the filter, but his bottom half and tail were lodged inside the skimmer box. Holly was able to release him by gently folding his legs into his body and carefully moving one shoulder through at a time. Once free, she gave the lizard a thorough physical examination. Happily there were no signs of dehydration, injuries or damage to the scales.

With the householder's permission, the Water Dragon was released back into her garden and she discussed with Holly how to prevent native animals from entering and getting stuck in her pool and filter in the future. Thank you for making sure these vital rescues took place.

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Jun 7, 2024
Helping to rescue Australia's threatened species

By Linda Jordan | Community Fundraising and Events Executive

Thank you so much for helping us rescue and protect Australian native animals.

When it comes to threatened species such as the two little beings below, you’re not just helping to save their individual lives, you’re helping to protect the future of their species. Our wildlife rescue work is such an important safeguard - thank you for being a part of it!

Blossom Bat is back in the wild

A few months ago our specialist bat carer Denise was called to rescue what she originally believed to be a displaced microbat. On arrival she saw it was actually a Blossom Bat – a species that has only come into her care three times in the 12 years she’s been a WIRES volunteer.

The Blossom Bat was hanging on a brick windowsill in a suburb with remnant bushland nearby. She was in quite a bad way. Denise noted she had a parasite infestation, with mites completely covering her wing membranes.

Denise cared for the bat and treated her infestation. The original solution of bi-carb and salt had little effect on the mite eggs and so she moved to a very mild Ivermectin solution.

After several weeks the Blossom Bat was strong, healthy and mite-free. She was released into bushland where she’ll continue her vitally important work - pollinating our native plant species.

A second chance for Tex the koala

A member of the public witnessed a distressing koala hit and run on the notorious Appin Road in Southwest Sydney. The koala was thrown a number of metres. After sitting dazed for a few seconds, he quickly climbed high into a nearby tree.

WIRES rescuers were called to the scene. Over the course of the day they monitored the koala but he was way too high for them to reach, and it was deemed too risky for Fire and Rescue to close a lane of the busy road to reach him.

WIRES called local arborist Chris Walker of Tex's Timberland. Using his specialist equipment Chris quickly climbed the tree and enclosed the injured koala in a bag.

Our koala expert Tracey transported the koala to Bradbury Vet Clinic, where he was triaged and found to have a fractured limb. He was provided with pain relief and transferred to specialist care at Western Sydney University Wildlife Hospital.

Named Tex after his rescuer, the koala is now in care with WIRES carer Kate, where he’ll remain until well enough for release. A big thank you to Chris Walker of Tex's Timberland for providing this lifesaving service free of charge!

Thank you again for making sure these lifesaving efforts are taking place with the help of your donations. Together, we're making a difference!

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