WILVOS have just completed their Nest Box Project for the year. The end of the financial year is a good time to evaluate the past years progress in the wildlife practice of rescue, rear and release.
Our thanks to MP Ted O’Brien, Federal Member for Fairfax Qld, for inviting WILVOS to apply for a grant for our Nest Box Program for possums and gliders. This was funded from the Australian Government’s Communities Environment Program. WILVOS allocate a nest box for animals at an appropriate size and these boxes then go through the rehabilitation process with this animal and it is released in this box. Their security blanket!
Bob Whiting went above and beyond with organizing the project. He was the one doing all the work behind the scenes – buying equipment needed, carrying it around the countryside and constructing the boxes. Bob also instructed a group of Rover Scouts in assembling boxes. Educating our youth in any aspect of wildlife and the environment is so important. The Australian Government’s Communities Environment Program helped achieve all this.
WILVOS like to be in the forefront with research and ‘on the ground’ wildlife work. On the practical side, WILVOS continued to be available 24/7 for all wildlife incidents during the height of the Covid-19 Pandemic. Fortunately the Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital also remained open 24 hours to take any injured wildlife. Once assessed and treated WILVO carers would then rehabilitate the animals. All recommended health protocols were followed.
Wildlife housing is as necessary as their food supply. Big developers are always in the firing line but small developers and landowners should also be held responsible for the environmental damage they do. It is so distressing to see people buy a property, and then thoughtlessly remove trees. Everyone should observe the creatures inhabiting grasses, watercourses, shrubs and trees in their back yard. After dark is party time for many nocturnal species and they are always missed!
Every tree provides for numerous animals.
Donna Brennan Wildlife Volunteers Assoc Inc (WILVOS) PO Box 4805 Sunshine Coast Mail Centre Q 4560 PH 5441 6200 www.wilvos.org.au