It is certainly turning into that crazy springtime for wildlife carers. Calls for every local species seems to have come through the WILVOS 5441 6200 Hotline in the past weeks.
Each day brings another animal into my care and I am babysitting quite a few as well. I soon find homes for most of the new patients. ‘Queenie’, the red-necked wallaby was looking sad and sorry for a week but is now a bundle of energy, trying to master balance on those slender, delicate legs. She lays in her pouch on the grass very contentedly, until suddenly it is time to stand up and hop. It is funny to watch, sometimes nerve-wracking!
The humicrib is housing eggs from rather unpopular birds – brush turkeys, currawongs and crows! I’m sure I’ve mumbled obscenities at all these fascinating birds at some stage, but one must respect their unique traits. I was not endeared to the local currawong as it optimistically visited my backyard when hearing the cute noises of Cheeky the Curlew chick. Cheeky has now grown into an almost adolescent curlew, losing the chick fluff while the legs look more like stilts.
The short-eared brushtail possums have been joined by a very small ringtail possum in its cosy little carry basket. These joeys usually come in as twins but sadly this little fellows sibling died, as did the mother after being hit by a car. Luckily someone stopped and saved this little ones life. Now to find a new family of ringtail possum joeys for him. They thrive so much better with others the same size.
With our next WILVOS induction coming up at the end of October, it is hoped more people are interested in learning about our unique Australian wildlife. Visit the website for membership application forms and plenty of interesting reading.
Donna Brennan Wildlife Volunteers Assoc Inc (WILVOS) PO Box 4805 Sunshine Coast Mail Centre Q 4560 PH 5441 6200 www.wilvos.org.au