16 July 2018

Urgent call for more ACT Wildlife volunteers as number of animals in care soars

| Lachlan Roberts
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A joey in the care of Wildlife ACT volunteers. Photo: Wildlife ACT.

Wombats, possums, koalas, turtles, lizards and an array of birds are just some of the native animals that the ACT Wildlife saves throughout the year, and the increasing numbers of animals at the community organisation is leaving volunteers crying out for more help.

The Canberra-based group of volunteers provides care to mammals, birds and reptiles that are injured, sick or orphaned in the surrounding region, providing rescue and rehabilitation before releasing them back into the wild.

The community-run organisation is calling for more hands on deck after more than 1000 native animals were rescued and rehabilitated in Canberra last year.

ACT Environment and Heritage Minister Mick Gentleman acknowledged the “fantastic job” ACT Wildlife volunteers were doing but due to the ever-increasing number of animals coming into their care, there is a “real need for more volunteers”.

“Canberrans willing to care for injured wallabies, nurse native birds back to health, or take care of sick wombats are being urged to become an ACT Wildlife volunteer,” Mr Gentleman said.

“These roles are vitally important and it all adds to the overall success of ACT Wildlife. In the last year alone over 1000 native animals were rescued and rehabilitated and this is due to the dedication of the volunteers as well as the professional training that ensure a high standard of animal care.”

If you don’t fancy cuddling and looking after joeys or other hands-on care but still wish to help, there are other volunteering opportunities such as being a telephone operator or animal transporter.

To learn how to become an ACT Wildlife volunteer, head to the ACT Wildlife website.

Have you found an injured, sick or orphaned native animal in the ACT?

  • Handle it gently and keep warm in a box with a towel or cloth and call ACT Wildlife on 0432 300 033.
  • For injured kangaroos, call Access Canberra on 13 22 81.

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