It was good to see the end of the year’s shortest day. June and July are months when our WILVOS
5441 6200 Hotline receives even more calls for assistance at dusk, as nocturnal animals begin to
move about.
It is a time of year when marsupials in pouch are often still furless with eyes closed. If a viable size
with no major injuries, then many are saveable, with specialized care and equipment. Some are too
small to be rehabilitated and in these cases we have to consider the animal welfare issue. It is never
an easy decision to have an animal euthanized but the priority is what is best for the animal – not
our level of sadness!
The natural instinct for animals is to hide any injuries which would alert predators that they are easy
prey. This is why many birds may seem fine, but in actual fact are hiding fractures that can only be
picked up by xrays. The first 24 hours after an accident are crucial in determining the life or death of
an animal.
It is a joy to see wildlife rehabilitated back to health. Their requirements are so different to our
domesticated animals. As wildlife carers our major consideration has to be that end result – return
to the wild. These are not zoo animals, so diet has to mimic what they would have in the wild. Their
release site has to be checked for the correct habitat, along with any signs of wandering domestic or
feral animals. Even natural predators have to be avoided. Putting a possum box up in a tree with
goanna markings on it is not advisable.
It is all worth the spiral of effort, joy and tears!
Donna Brennan Wildlife Volunteers Assoc Inc (WILVOS) PO Box 4805 Sunshine Coast Mail Centre Q
4560 PH 5441 6200 www.wilvos.org.au
The shortest day in June is always welcome…
