Recent weather events have impacted humans and animals. After such extreme weather it is in the
following days and weeks that wildlife in distress are found. The WILVOS 5441 6200 Hotline then
receives calls for help or advice.
Torrential downpours saw young chicks dislodged from nests, and fledglings often lost and
disorientated. Some adult birds were saturated but soon dried out. These birds were checked out
and reunited with their family group. There were similar situations with possums and other species.
We were fortunate to not also get the cyclone in our immediate area, but after experiencing their
unpredictability in Far North Queensland I know the importance of doing the preparation.
Changing direction and ‘reigniting’ just when everyone relaxes can be expected. Wildlife rescues
can’t be done until it is safe to venture out.
Wildlife species are affected by flooding in different ways. Echidnas love a drink of water and are
strong swimmers, but young echidnas are leaving their burrows at this time of year. It must be
challenging to be hit by a major weather event as they are finding their way in the world.
Nevertheless ants and other underground life move up out of saturated earth and timber and
provide nourishment for them and other hungry mouths.
It is extremely important that native animals are not moved out of their home territories. Suburbia
houses many native species that are often not observed until a major weather occurrence brings
them out to unusual places at unusual times. They have been safely living in these situations even if
unseen, so ideally they should stay in their familiar area.
Thank you to all who phoned and asked for assistance. WILVOS had to be inventive to keep the
Hotline running 24 hours a day. One Hotline volunteer family had evacuated their house but still did
their rostered time on the Hotline, along with managing a couple of nearby rescues!
Donna Brennan Wildlife Volunteers Assoc Inc (WILVOS) PO Box 4805 SCMC Q 4560 PH 5441 6200
www.wilvos.org.au
Flooding and Cyclone Alfred tough on all…
