wrsc june newsletter final 2014 6 9€¦ · all dogs are welcome, large, small, mixed breed, pure...

0418 427 214 Illawarra, Southern Highlands & South Coast Eurobodalla & Sapphire Coasts 0417 238 921

Please Help Us Help Wildlife

You can help us to keep up our wildlife rescue efforts Visit http://www.wildlife-rescue.org.au

WRSC receives no government funding to assist with our operational expenses. We rely on your donations and generous support.

WILDLIFE RESCUE SOUTH COAST INC E W S N June 2014

Wildlife Rescue South Coast Inc PO Box 666 Nowra NSW 2541

NPWS Licence No: MWL000100253 | ABN 49 616 307 526

E: [email protected] | W: www.wildlife-rescue.org.au 0418 427 214 Wollongong to Batemans Bay | 0417 238 921 Mogo to Victorian Border

© Blossom in WRSC Care March 2014


Milton Ulladulla

Dog Training Club for your yearly donations to Wildlife Rescue South Coast

Thanks also goes to Nina Rogan for her dedication in representing WRSC at RSPCA and dog training events

How to Join Milton Ulladulla Dog Training Club http://www.mudtc.org.au/index.html

Milton Ulladulla Dog Training Club Inc offers members the opportunity to socialise and train their dogs to become great companion animals. The Club promotes responsible dog ownership and is led by a volunteer team of committee members and instructors who enjoy giving their time and knowledge to help you train your dog. MUDTC offer training in obedience, agility and fun events such as flyball, zipball and flag races. All dogs are welcome, large, small, mixed breed, pure bred, they all have a great time on Sunday mornings at training classes.

The Club is a not-for-profit organisation that held its first meeting in 1979 and meets every Sunday morning at 9:00 am at the Milton Showground, Croobyar Road, Milton. They welcome new members with dogs over 4 months of age on the first Sunday of each month, whilst puppies under 4 months can join the Baby Puppy Class on any Sunday. New members please arrive by 8.30am on your first day to complete the necessary paperwork and then be ready to start class at 9am. Classes run for 1 hour. You must bring your dog’s vaccination record with you.

Can’t a bird have a bit of privacy when being examined? Argh~ your hands are cold!

Tawny Frogmouth at May’s WRSC General Meeting

WILDCARE QUEANBEYAN INC BASIC REPTILE and TURTLE SHELL REPAIR COURSES

(run as two separate but back-to back courses) Date: Saturday 14th June

Venue: School of Arts Gibralter Street Bungendore ( between Primary School and the Post Office)

Time: 9.am – 12.pm. BASIC REPTILE COURSE Cost: $15.00

Overview: This course will cover identification, rescue, assessment and basic rescue husbandry for reptiles

Time: 12.30.pm –3.30.pm. TURTLE SHELL REPAIR COURSE with a local field trip 3.30 – 4 pm

Cost: $15.00 Overview: The course will focus on learning the terminology of turtle shell breaks to enable accurate assessments and

determine appropriate repair techniques. Repair techniques will also be discussed. This course will be followed by a visit to the home of Reptile Coordinator- Belinda to view enclosures and view turtles differing repair techniques.

Lunch will be provided for those participating in both courses Morning and afternoon tea provided.

To register: email [email protected] call Val: 6299 5979 or Laurel: 6298 6606

Course payment (covers cost of manual) by bank deposit: Wildcare Queanbeyan Inc.

BSB: 062593 Account No: 28026717

Reference: “Surname” and “Reptile”


Dr HOWARD RALPH BVSc (Hons), MBBS (Hons), MVS (Wildlife Medicine), Dip TESL, JCCA Accred (Anaesth),

A/Dip Fine Arts, Cert Ed NSW Clinical Forensic Medical Officer Howard Ralph started out as an Educational Officer in Papua New Guinea, which included teaching, tropical health, agricultural projects, local government and community welfare plus highland area patrols for census and health management. Came back to Australia & got his veterinary science degree (BVSc) from Sydney Uni, graduated with honours as well as won the University medal. Howard went into private practice but then decided he didn't know the ins & outs of people so went and studied medicine at the University of NSW, graduating MBBS with honours.

For over 40 years Howard Ralph has practiced medicine, human and animal. He has taken part in wildlife rescues in Australia as well as South Africa, Borneo and Indonesia. He was a consultant to the Government of Jakarta to build/ refurbish a wildlife hospital, upgrade anaesthetic services and advised on animal welfare and in Borneo was not only a relief anaesthetist but taught anaesthesia. Howard was a part time Director of the Emergency Department at Mona Vale Hospital. The University of Sydney and Taronga Zoo gave Howard a scholarship to study wildlife medicine and research oxygen transport during wildlife anaesthesia gaining his MVS (wildlife Medicine).

Howard also studied and gained his A/Diploma of Fine Arts (Distinction and college medal) though never has time to paint now much to his dismay. Howard was also a Registrar in Anaesthetics Calvary Hospital Batemans Bay/Moruya hospitals, VMO in Anaesthetics and Emergency Wildlife Clinic NSW South Coast. Howard has won numerous awards for his work with wildlife including the NSW Senior Volunteer Award 2013, he was recently an Australian of the Year Finalist – Local Hero category, and has contributed to publications such as ‘Face of Extraordinary: Volunteers’ and ‘Animal Abuse’. Howard has also recently travelled to Kathmandu, Nepal for Tree of Compassion to perform operations at an animal sanctuary.

Several years ago together with his wife, Glenda, he established Southern Cross Wildlife Care which includes a purpose built wildlife treatment centre in the NSW southern tablelands. Howard teaches, lectures and holds seminars on various aspects of wildlife such as pain management, burns management, anaesthetics, wound management, first aid, orphan care, first response protocols, fluid management, fractures, wildlife health & disease, rescue and rehabilitation medications. Howard has attended, in his capacity as a veterinary surgeon, several disasters such as oil spills, floods, cyclones and bushfires. He teaches Animal Care Courses at TAFE and provides an online consultancy to Veterinarians, Veterinary Nurses, Wildlife carers and rescuers.

Wildlife Rescue South Coast members who want training by Howard or to volunteer at the Southern Cross Wildlife Treatment Centre (Southern Tablelands) can contact Tania Duratovic via email: [email protected]

FREE WETLAND EVENT SUNDAY 15 JUNE 2014 A special wetland event hosted by WetlandCare Australia and South East Local Land Services. The day will start with a presentation by WetlandCare Australia covering everything that is great about wetlands such as their habitat and biodiversity values, superior carbon storage abilities and high benefit to agricultural productivity, as well as factors which impact on their health and what we can do to help them. This will be followed by a field trip to the nearby River Rd Reserve, a high conservation value wetland complex of saltmarsh and dunal systems, and critical habitat for both resident and migratory bird species. This event is suitable for all ages.

Time: 11am – 12pm

Venue: Shoalhaven Heads Community Centre

111 Shoalhaven Heads Rd

Tea and coffee will be provided

Field trip: 1pm – 3pm

Venue: River Rd Reserve

What to bring: Hat, sunscreen, water, covered footwear and insect repellent.

Participants will need to supply their own lunch.

"Introductory Fluid Management in Wildlife - A Guide for Wildlife Carers" By Tania Duratovic (Edited by Dr Howard Ralph)

A much needed carer’s manual which covers physiology, fluid gains & losses, how to assess for dehydration, estimating fluid loss, fluid replacement therapy (route of administration, needle size etc), type of fluids, timing of fluids, volume of fluids, how to administer subcutaneous injection, a bit about intravenous in case one has to help a veterinarian, fluid therapy for shock & burns and quite a few exercises on fluid calculations (ie, how to determine how much to give, drip rates etc).

Sold out in 2 days at the Hobart AWR Conference last month. Order this 56 page spiral bound manual with colour photos throughout today for $27 (includes handling & postage) direct from Tania [email protected]


Meeting Dates 2014 Wildlife Rescue South Coast

General Meetings start at 7pm

Library Annex, 10 Berry Street, Nowra Refreshments provided

3 July Committee Meeting 9 July General Meeting 7 August Committee Meeting 13 August Annual General

Meeting (AGM)

NARG will be conducting a Pinkie Forum 10:30 am to 3.30 pm

Saturday 12th July 2014

War Memorial Hall

Molonglo Street Bungendore

(Kings Hwy, opposite Food Lovers)

Please RSVP to Miriam Hazel NARG Training Coordinator

E: [email protected] M: 0412 651 002 T: 6297 3442

If there is enough interest Miriam can organize lunch to be prepared

by Food Lovers for $10 pp otherwise it is a BYO lunch.

Tea, coffee and biscuits will be provided

This is a baby friendly venue for those who need

to bring joeys in care © Rob Leeson

Help Needed The Shoalhaven Bat Clinic is the only one of its type in NSW. At the end of June Gerry Hawkins will be having surgery on her foot, we desperately need members who would be able to commit to cutting fruit (approx. 15kg per day) but also members who could come to the clinic to clean, feed, pick up bins of apples (180kg) late at night, shop for other fruits, milk powder etc. and do general work. Gerry will be unable to walk for about 3 months and the doctor has said no ladders, or walking on uneven surfaces for 6 months. So unless we can get reliable members to take up the challenge the Shoalhaven Bat Clinic will have to close for the next season. For new members of Wildlife Rescue South Coast who are interested in becoming involved with Flying-foxes and Microbats, and/or are in the process of being vaccinated and want to learn the tricks and tips regarding these amazing animals over the winter months it provides a great time to become involved and to learn under our 'buddy' system. More hands make light work so please if you are in the Nowra area, have an hour or two to spare, after work or on weekends, contact Gerry and learn a lot in time for next summer while also being able to help out now.

RPSCA bimonthly lawn mowing roster

To maintain the grass area around our storage container we need volunteers. Please contact a committee member if

you can help out. June Bill Parker August Dusty Jones

Membership renewal deadline is 30 June 2014 Thank you to those members who have already renewed their membership. If you are yet to do so then please renew your membership today to be part of our future plans. You can renew by mail and cheque or email and pay by direct transfer /PayPal, the choice is yours.

If you are currently a carer and you are not a paid member at the start of the new financial year ie 1 July 2014 then you have to surrender the wildlife in your care under the conditions of our National Parks and Wildlife Service licence MWL000100253. As long as you renew your membership prior to Monday 30 June 2014 then our licence continues to cover any native animals that may be in your care.


Did you know….? Koalas eat so many eucalyptus leaves that they take on a distinctive odor from their oil, reminiscent of cough drops.

Fast Facts Type: Mammal Diet: Herbivore Average life span in the wild: 20 years Size: 60 to 85 cm

Weight: 9 kg Protection status: Threatened Size relative to a 6-ft (2-m) man:

The koala’s scientific name is Phascolarctos cinereus, which means “ash coloured bear”. Despite this, the

koala is not a bear; it is a Marsupial or pouched mammal.

At birth the baby koala is blind and furless about the size and shape of a peanut. At this stage it is called a “Pinkie”. It climbs unaided through its mother’s fur into a pouch where it attaches to one of two teats. Birth occurs 35 days after successful mating.

At birth young koalas weigh about 500 milligrams and measure less than 2 centimeters from head to tail. The young koala only drinks mother’s milk for the first six months and remains in the pouch during that time. Although twins are occasionally reported, a single young is the most common.

A Koala sprawled on the trunk of a eucalyptus isn't just resting its paws; it is hugging the tree to stay cool in hot weather.

Koalas have a thick waterproof fur, which protects them from rain and wind.

Koalas spend as much as nineteen hours of every day sleeping. They are mostly nocturnal, sleeping during the day and moving around at night.

Although they prefer the leaves of just a few eucalypts, koalas have been seen eating and sitting on more than 120 different kinds of eucalyptus and nearly 40 non eucalypt tree species.

Adult koalas weigh between 4 and 14 kg depending on their sex and where they live. Male koalas are up to 50% heavier than females. Male koalas live for about 10 years and females survive up to 5 years longer. Male koalas live independently and do not socialise except at mating time. Female koalas may live in a small group often with family members. 49% of adolescent females will remain near their mothers.

Koalas get their water from rain droplets, moisture on leaves and from eating leaves. They occasionally drink from streams and ponds and have been seen swimming!

Koalas communicate with one another by marking trees with scent or through calls such as bellows, snarls and screams.

When walking slowly on the ground, koalas have a rather high stepping gait with both fore and hind legs, as though they were walking through shallow water.

Koalas are protected by law but their trees and food aren't.

Koalas can recognize a tune that carers sing.

Koala carers must be registered.

Blossom on the move

© WRSC Robyn

Phil Donovan checking Blossom’s wound in March © WRSC Robyn


More Koala Facts Koalas prefer a warm climate; 20 to 30 degrees, with little or no wind where they can browse in the mid to

upper canopy of their favourite trees and snooze in the sun

Koalas sleep between 18 and 22 hours a day in order to conserve energy.

Trees with low branching habits are preferred. Koalas, especially females with joeys, more frequently use trees less than 5 metres

From about six months the Joey starts popping its head outside the pouch. At this time it begins feeding on a substance called “pap” which the mother produces in addition to milk. Pap is a specialized form of soft and runny faeces, or droppings, which allows the mother to pass on to the Joey micro-organisms, which are essential for the digestion of gum leaves.

The koala’s digestive system is especially adapted to detoxify the poisonous chemicals in the leaves. The Koala, the Greater Glider and the Ringtail Possum are the only mammals, which can survive on a diet of eucalyptus leaves.

h p://www.hunterkoala.com/interes ng‐koala‐facts.html

A book you may be interested in…. Koalas: The little Australians we’d all hate to lose http://deerubbinpress.com.au/index.php/koalas-the-little-australians-we-d-all-hate-to-lose.html

Quick Overview Everything you ever wanted to know about Koalas

Weight (g) 543 Author Bill Phillips Publisher AGPS Press Date Published 1990 ISBN 644096977 Size 297mm x 210mm

For everyone interested in the well-being of Australia's best-loved native ambassadors, Koalas, this book is essential reading. This well-illustrated and highly informative volume is the culmination of a four-year conservation program coordinated and administered by the Australian National Parks and Wildlife Service. The program set out to answer the question, 'Are koalas an endangered species?' and included broad-range research by leaders in the field and a national survey of koala populations. The latter was undertaken with the help of several thousand volunteers. Presented here are the important, and sometimes surprising, findings of the national survey that reveal, for the first time, the situation of koalas in Australia.

Easy-to-read and including the latest intelligence on koalas, this stunning and comprehensive work also traces the history of koalas in Australia. It explains their significance to the Aborigines in both mythological and practical terms, considers the industry which once revolved around the trade in koala furs and describes the animal's physical, physiological and social characteristics. In particular, it documents the effects of the bacterium Chlamydia psittaci on koalas and takes a detailed look at how the constant clearing of land is placing immense pressure on some populations.

This volume provides a down-to-earth appraisal of the problems koalas face in modern Australia and what can be done to help these special little Aussies. Soft cover, 104 pgs, bibliography, index.

A ‘brand new’ website you may be interested in…. WILDLIFE IN NEED OF CARE (WINC) were licensed in July 2013 and are members of NWC

www.wildlifeinneedofcare.org.au


B owral Public School Market is one of the oldest and best attended markets in the S o u t h e r n H i g h l a n d s .

Conveniently located adjacent to the Bowral shopping precinct it operates from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the second Saturday of each month. Dozens of stalls offer an eclectic selection of quality foods, produce, plants, clothing, jewellery, gifts, and other items. Please contact Woody if you can help on the WRSC stall.

Dick Smith Foods are donating $1 Million to charity this year!! Please help Wildlife Rescue South Coast be one of them by voting for us as your favourite charity. Simply send a photo of a Dick Smith Food product/s from your pantry to [email protected] and nominate Wildlife Rescue South Coast Inc. as your charity. Points are counted for each Dick Smith product in the photo and bonus points can be obtained by sending a photo of yourself holding up a product to a group of up to ten people. For full details see http://www.dicksmithfoods.com.au/charity-breakthrough

https://www.facebook.com/koalahospital?fref=photo


Alternate approaches to your aviary By Chris Lloyd

One thing is certain if you stay in wildlife rehabilitation for long enough you end up building an aviary. I know I did and patiently ignored all the advice around me and ended up with all the predictable problems – hard to clean floors, too low, too small etc, etc. In this article I am not aiming to design a complete aviary but throw some ideas around that mainly go to the foundations or base and its relationship with avian health. Let’s start from the usual place of what it is like in the “wild”. The substrate or surfaces have a major advantage out there – they have an engineering maintenance and sanitary crew on 24/7 shifts cleaning up the excreta of every other resident. This crew are called insects, bacteria, fungus and others and they recycle these waste products to their allies the plant community which itself provides some environmental services by keeping moisture in the soil and a few smaller favours like supplying some oxygen and food. No matter how hard I have tried I can’t seem to replicate this virtuous circle in my aviaries. I can get the insects going if the floors are not too wet but the plants struggle and I am sure I am not the first to discover that parrots aren’t the only ones who like to shred foliage. What do we do? Concrete floors are obviously a no, no which is a pity because they make it easier to clean and to erect the structure in the first place. Dirt floors are closer but they can be uneven, waterlogged or baked dry or they just allow the rodent community access to a new restaurant. Over the last few years I have increasingly placed aviaries up on wooden frames. The height can range from the width of the timber to a metre or so. The idea is to allow for drainage through the floor and when necessary to strip the entire substrate off for cleaning. I start with a basic wooden frame in treated pine that is heavy duty enough to carry my weight along with heavy water pools and any other furniture I want to use. This is then placed on chocks of timber at various places to lift the frame from direct contact with the ground and allow me hose underneath. I then use this to carry light gauge mouse wire which is tacked down with fencing staples. Over this goes light gauge weld mesh which I try to get second hand from people who pull down fences as it can be pricey. By using fencing staples again I tack into place various sized bits so they make a strong floor but with quite a bit of spring in it. The last layer is shade cloth which not only holds your leaf litter in but has even more ‘give’ in the surface. So now we have stable well drained base that can sit on concrete, making it easier to clean underneath or on any other platform. The weld mesh and shade cloth allows you to use a hose at high pressure and cleaning agent to deal with an aviary that has a serious infection case of either parasites or pathogens (e.g. PCD or coccidosis). The bouncy floor means those rehabilitating animals which take one adventurous step too far don’t hit completely hard earth or concrete. Having built this sturdy frame why limit the height to a couple of centimeters? The higher the birds the better their behavioural enrichment and less contact with the fox terrier or those nasty things called children – yes we have two! This sound complex but it is really quite simple. A couple of treated pine logs, some instant concrete and coach bolts and you have an elevated aviary. This can also be a neat way of getting around sloping sites. The design above was built to lift a standard sized 2x2x2 tubular steel aviary bought from a manufacturer. However the same base can be used to build you own frame and wire aviary. I have found that Colourbond fencing materials and second hand Weldmesh will build a reasonable a structure for not a large amount of money. Of course if you can weld then you’re in another league – I wouldn’t tell other members if you want some peace. For these designs I have used treated pine timber but steel tube could also be used but generally this requires a few more trade skills and, of course, our friendly welding mate.


“Introduction to Rescuing Wildlife

& Introduction to Rescue Telephone”

Wednesday 18 June Saturday 21 June

New revised manuals for both courses Registration: 9.00am Concludes: 4.00pm

To register please ring Course Trainer:

Kim Goodsell-Muldoon 0488 996 604 or email

[email protected]

Morning and afternoon tea provided BYO lunch

Future 2014 Courses Kangaroo Valley

3 August Macropology

Lorraine Toohey

Queanbeyan (Wildcare Queanbeyan)

9 & 10 August 2 day Birds and Raptors

Chris Lloyd

Bemboka 16 & 17 August

2 day Birds and Raptors Chris Lloyd

Nowra 23 & 24 August

2 day Flying Foxes & Microbats Gerry Hawkins

Greenwell Point 27 & 28 September

2 day Advanced Avian Course Necropsy, imping etc

Chris Lloyd

Wildlife Rescue South Coast Training Days

“WOMBATS” Presented by

Shirley Lack Saturday 28 June 2014

at Kangaroo Valley Public School

Registration - 8.30 am Concludes – 4.00 pm

Course Cost - $15.00 per person payable in advance by cash or direct debit to

Wildlife Rescue South Coast BSB: 641 800

Account: 045 108 382 Reference: “Surname” & Wombat

Course Manual $15.00 available at course

Morning & Afternoon Tea Provided BYO lunch

For more information please contact Jenny Packwood WRSC Education Co-ordinator Mobile: 0418 497 345 Email: [email protected]

Check out all courses on offer at http://www.wildlife-rescue.org.au/trainingdates.html

For Members Only….

A new look training page in the style of a monthly calendar. Click on the blue course link and a jpeg flyer with all details can be

viewed. Please visit the ‘Training Dates’ page in the members’ section of www.wildlife-rescue.org.au

June 14 ~ Reptile & Turtle 18 ~ Rescue & Phone 21 ~ Rescue & Phone

28 ~ Wombats

July 12 ~ Pinkie Forum

August 3 ~ Macropods 9 & 10 ~ Birds 16 & 17 ~ Birds 23 & 24 ~ FF/

Microbats

Courses Please let us know if you attend external courses so we can keep your details updated. Training courses are not generally run during spring and summer as our volunteers are all busy rescuing and rehabilitating wildlife! As dates, times and venues are confirmed they will be included in the Newsletter, on our Facebook page and the web site. For more information please contact Jenny Packwood WRSC Education Co-ordinator


Bushfire koala Richardson Jane returns home By: Josey Sharrad

Posted: Friday 9/05/2014

It was seven months ago that the devastating bushfires hit the Hunter Valley in New South Wales. Trudging through the ashen smoking ground I joined a line of volunteers from Native Animal Trust Fund, Hunter Koala and WINC on a ‘black walk’ of the fire-ground to search for wildlife survivors.

There were few to be found – the fire was so ferocious it left a trail of charred destruction in its wake. One of the lucky survivors was a koala nicknamed Richardson Jane, found by a WINC rescuer, climbing high in a tree on Richardson Road, swinging from the trees like Tarzan’s Jane.

She didn’t want to come down and it took a long time to rescue her. She had severe burns to her paws and nose and was badly dehydrated. Rushed to local Noah’s ark vets she was treated for her burns and put on a drip to rehydrate her. IFAW assisted with her medical treatment and she then went to koala carer Sue Swain who gave her round the clock intensive care.

Jane then moved onto Port Macquarie’s Koala Hospital where she spent the last few months recuperating in the five star facilities, being cared for by a dedicated team of volunteers. True to her name, she has spent ninety-nine per-cent of her time here high in the tree tops. She has made a remarkable recovery and now she is ready to go home.

Today I’m at the hospital with Hunter Koala volunteer Loreto Gray to take Jane back home. We ease her into a cage with some leaf and drape a towel over her so she feels secure. We then make the two hour journey back to her home in Port Stephens.

As we drive through the forest the tree trunks are still blackened from the fire but the tops are bursting with new green leaves. Loreto has found the perfect tree for her release – a huge old swamp mahogany with lots of branches for her to sit on and enough leaf to feed her for a few days.

As we open the basket she climbs out, sniffing the air in recognition before digging her claws into blackened bark and easing herself slowly up the huge tree trunk. She settles on a branch for a while, looking down at us. Casting us a last goodbye glance, she continues her climb higher and higher into the tree tops. She has come home.

http://www.ifaw.org/australia/news/bushfire-koala-richardson-jane-returns-home?ms=AONDR140521005&cid=701F0000000RAqt&mailid=8593660&af=3bXG1F%2F%2B%2BUxwd5gg29GDrMQ3oZdznRcov%2BMtajXJWXX8%2BHFRGjf5jxw6%2FYHoyLZCXm5Y%2BHVrHwUf6x%2FWARvhoiql7l5YyS75uToiKEaWguq8P%2Bm2tri0192EVYlwpy3r9CQaeL1GTT4hCjBDy6twrk33Gwqqgj3f6F7dRyRXBv28dihymkl%2BJpfoqE8B1mXC2faGx1pMqad6BHjKKUIqRg%3D 3D&utm_source=SilverpopMailing&utm_medium=email&spMailingID=8593660&spUserID=OTM2OTgwNzY0ODAS1&spJobID=301496065&spReportId=MzAxNDk2MDY1S0

Wildlife Rescue South Coast bushfire funds raised by:

Dean Pickering (MRH90 Navy Sustainment Support Office, HMAS Albatross

Shoalhaven residents via South Coast Register, 2ST and Bendigo Bank appeal

Liz Shaw Victorian vet nurse who launched a local appeal

were forwarded to NATF towards Richardson Jane’s care.

After the fires: Richardson Jane and her burnt home Permission was kindly granted by Audrey Koosman of Native Animals

Trust Fund (NATF) to reproduce the above two photos for November 2013 WRSC Newsletter

http://www.ifaw.org/australia/news/bushfire-koala-richardson-jane-returns-home?ms=AONDR140521005&cid=701F0000000RAqt&mailid=8593660&af=3bXG1F%2F%2B%2BUxwd5gg29GDrMQ3oZdznRcov%2BMtajXJWXX8%2BHFRGjf5jxw6%2FYHoyLZCXm5Y%2BHVrHwUf6x%2FWARvhoiql7l5YyS75uToiKEaWguq8P%2Bm2tri0192EVYlwpy3r9CQaeL1GTT4hCjBDy6twrk33Gwqqgj3f6F7dRyRXBv28dihymkl%2BJpfoqE8B1mXC2faGx1pMqad6BHjKKUIqRg%3D 3D&utm_source=SilverpopMailing&utm_medium=email&spMailingID=8593660&spUserID=OTM2OTgwNzY0ODAS1&spJobID=301496065&spReportId=MzAxNDk2MDY1S0


Wildlife Rescue South Coast was seen @….

‘ R E S C U E D ’ Portraits of Australian wildlife in the care of Wildlife Rescue South Coast

O p e n i n g & A u c t i o n 25 May 2014

Above: The auctioneer with a happy audience

Right : Debbie Colbert with the

original photo of a sugar gl ider in her care which was used to

advert ise the exhibit ion

Photographer Warren Wilson

Jervis Bay Kiosk Café, Owen St Huskisson

8am to 3pm daily till Friday 4 July 2014

All profit from the sale of these images will be donated to Wildlife Rescue South Coast Inc.

BOWRAL, SOUTHERN HIGHLANDS: The Milk Factory Gallery and Wildlife Rescue South Coast Inc are delighted to bring to the Southern Highlands the 1st Annual Wildlife Gathering, which will be headlined by the exclusive photographic retrospective, "Rescued", a limited presentation of Australian native wildlife in care and rehabilitation by the esteemed Australian nature photographer, Warren Wilson.

The much-anticipated exhibit will run from August 2 - 30, 2014

Part of Warren Wilson and the Milk Factory Gallery's exhibition's proceeds will be donated to Wildlife Rescue South Coast Inc and its Southern Highland region.

www.milkfactorygallery.com www.imageupphotography.com

W O R L D E N V I R O N M E N T D A Y 7 J u n e 2 0 1 4

Left: Dusty wearing a snake cap © WRSC Gavin Swan

Right: Ian showing off a Diamond Python at

World Enviro Day © WRSC Jo Evans


16 May, 2014 3:10PM AEST

Nowra's snake handler and his 'misunderstood' reptiles By Justin Huntsdale

http://www.abc.net.au/local/photos/2014/05/16/4006165.htm?&section=news

Nowra's Dusty Jones is a dedicated wildlife rescuer, one of the true gentlemen of the South Coast, and the man you want next to you when you discover the world's second most deadly snake on your veranda.

Above: Wildlife Rescue South Coast's Dusty Jones and python Xena enjoy the sunshine in Nowra. (Source: ABC Justin Huntsdale)

As I walk over to greet well-known wildlife carer Dusty Jones out the front of the Shoalhaven Entertainment Centre, he's already got three snakes out, casually sunning themselves on the lawn perfectly mowed lawn. It's funny seeing people do a double-take as they walk by. Most aren't used to seeing large snakes out in the open like this, nor two men having a perfectly casual conversation next to them. "Most people are frightened, but there's no need to be," Dusty says. "They're a protected species and they're a part of our heritage and our life. "Let's get on with enjoying them but not killing them."

It's this calm and relaxed nature that tells me I'm in good hands...that and the fact the snakes are perfectly friendly and harmless pythons. It's a sunny day in the Shoalhaven and the snakes are absolutely loving the weather. Usually by May they'd be in hibernation, only coming out to warm up their blood on a sunny day like this. "Snakes go into a deep slumber for a little while because it's so cold, but as soon as we get a beautiful day, I'll get calls because a snake has come out. "It can't hunt, but it's come out to warm up, but over the next few months you won't hear so much."

Just yesterday he was called to a house in Nowra to remove a diamond python from the roof, and that snake is now happily sunning itself at my feet, its symmetrical white, yellow and black dotted skin glinting like an Aboriginal art work. The roof cavity is a popular spot for snakes as it absorbs heat, but Dusty has been called to remove them from more obscure places. "I've got Red Belly Black snake out of a helicopter, a police car, planes, boats, and a few weeks ago I got one out of a train, so I've done all forms of transport and I love it."

The 73 year old snake handler grew up in England - a country with very few snakes - but fell in love with the creatures from the age of 10. He later travelled the world, seeking out snakes in India, Pakistan and Afghanistan, before settling in Australia with its broad range of 140 species - some of them the most dangerous in the world. He's now the go-to man for snake removal in the Shoalhaven and works for Wildlife Rescue South Coast. "What people don't understand is there are just as many snakes in our area as there are in the bush. "I got one out of a roof at Brown's Mountain, but then I went into the roof and there were four more pythons in the roof, and curled inside one was a Red Belly Black. "Most snakes aren't aggressive towards each other."

He's also had to remove dangerous snakes like Eastern Browns, Death Adders and Tiger snakes from criminals' houses which have been used to defend drugs. "The officers call me and I'm honoured to go in and remove a danger to our constabulary," he says. "I'm very careful and aware a snake is on the loose and can be frightened, so I go in there and I never get bitten. "I'm very careful and I treat it with great respect."

He says the best way to deal with a snake in your garden is to hose it with water from 10-15m to move it on and tell your neighbours to do the same.

Or you can contact Wildlife Rescue South Coast.


Wildlife Rescue South Coast was seen in the….

South Coast Register Pesticides blamed for deaths of local birds May 23, 2014, 6:30 a.m. A SPATE of bird deaths has been caused by poisoning, according to Wildlife Rescue South Coast volunteers.

TAKE CARE: Wildlife Rescue South Coast volunteer Belinda Gales with a tawny frogmouth similar to ones poisoned recently.

In recent weeks, the group’s volunteers have responded to several calls to treat birds which all presented signs of poisoning and eventually died.

Group spokesperson Belinda Gales said poisoning was the likely cause. “There have just been too many for it to be a coincidence,” she said. The birds are mostly raptors, owls and tawny frogmouths. “We believe the cause is the cumulative effects of insecticides in the prey and insects they feed on,” she said.

“The tawny frogmouth, for example, feeds exclusively on insects and can eat hundreds in a night. “We have had up to six birds die by what is believed to be secondary poisoning. “Even a brushtail possum was reported to have been affected by the poison.”

The insects include common ones, such as grasshoppers, found in gardens. Ms Gale said the deaths could also be the result of secondary poisoning when raptors scavenge on dead animals that have eaten insecticide or rodent poison. “Birds, however, appear to be more sensitive than other vertebrates to the toxic effects of the pesticides,” Ms Gales said.

Birds can be exposed to pesticides by eating treated seeds or vegetation, poisoned insects, carrion killed by pesticide, baits and drinking contaminated water. Poisoned birds exhibit signs such as convulsions, lethargy, paralysis and tremors.

The group urged people who applied pesticides to consider wildlife and take note of the environmental and seasonal conditions when they use the chemicals. It said the malicious use of pesticides was illegal.

http://www.southcoastregister.com.au/story/2300555/pesticides-blamed-for-deaths-of-local-birds/?cs=203


Camden’s rooftops helping our urban pollinators Tuesday 27th May 2014

http://www.buglife.org.uk/news-&-events/news/camden%E2%80%99s-rooftops-helping-our-urban-pollinators

Wildlife charity Buglife have created three green roofs on the Denton Estate in the London Borough of Camden this week, providing important habitat for our urban pollinators. The green roofs, sometimes called Living Roofs, have been installed as part of Buglife’s ‘Living Roofs for Camden’s Wildlife’ project, funded by SITA Trust through the Landfill Communities Fund, and delivered in partnership with the London Borough of Camden and LivingRoofs.org. A total of 600 m2 of traditional, wasted roof space has now been transformed into what will soon be a flourishing wildflower-rich grassland providing important pollen and nectar sources for our declining urban pollinators such as bumblebees, moths, butterflies and hoverflies. The use of a pre-grown wildflower turf will help the meadows to establish quickly and wildflowers such as red clover, bird’s-foot trefoil, meadow buttercup and yarrow will provide food for invertebrates from spring through to autumn. In winter the stems and seed heads of the meadow will provide over-wintering habitat for bugs and an important food resource for birds. The Living Roofs will also provide habitat for a range of bugs such as spiders, beetles and woodlice. Clare Dinham, Conservation Officer at Buglife said “Many of our important pollinators are in decline due to loss of wildflower-rich habitat. Creating Living Roofs in urban areas is a great way to help bring nature back to our cities and towns, benefitting bugs and people.”

The Living Roofs have been installed to coincide with an eco-makeover of the Denton Estate which will improve the energy efficiency of the buildings for the residents. Camden Council said “As part of our Green Action for Change to reduce emissions and promote biodiversity in Camden we’re committed to installing green roofs where suitable, as roof replacement for our homes. Green roofs are very effective at keeping buildings cool during the summer months, and warm during the winter. This helps to improve energy efficiency on our estates, and cut energy costs for residents. They also encourage more biodiversity in the borough by providing a safe habitat for a variety of wildlife.”

Saving the small things that run the planet

Reproduced with the kind permission of Buglife - The Invertebrate Conservation Trust UK

© Buglife

ThenewPossumsCrossingsignseithersideofCrookedRiverBridge

Gerroa.

Tolga Bat Hospital April 26, 2014

T he Tolga Bat Hospital has grown in a sprawling fashion from what was once simply Jenny Maclean's brick home.

Jenny Maclean founded Tolga Bat Hospital in the Wet Tropics more than 20 years ago to take care of bats paralysed by native ticks. In the mid-1980s, a localised problem of bats coming into contact with native paralysis ticks was noticed on the Atherton Tablelands, 50km south-west of Cairns. Jenny, now 60, moved to Atherton to start a physiotherapy business shortly after finishing university in Brisbane. Normally, Jenny’s team of volunteers deals with about 1200 flying-foxes each year. Read the full story in Australian Geographic magazine #120.


Wildlife Rescue South Coast ‘Angel’ was seen on….

the cover of June’s ‘About……...Our Bay & Basin’ Magazine Visit http://aboutbayandbasin.org/about_1.html to download the June issue and read “Rescued—Angel’s Lucky Day” Contributed by Jenny Packwood with photos by Janine Davies. The original story of Angel’s rescue was written by Jenny for May’s Newsletter which can be downloaded from http://www.wildlife-rescue.org.au/newsletter-archives.html

1 to 30 June 2014 EACH YEAR THE WHALES MIGRATE PAST THE EAST COAST OF AUSTRALIA AND DROP INTO JERVIS BAY. OVER THE LAST SEVEN YEARS JERVIS BAY WHALE FESTIVAL HAS BEEN CELEBRATING WITH THE LOCAL COMMUNITY ~ THE WHALES. BE APART OF THIS CELEBRATION THIS YEAR. Sunday 15 June ~ WHALE WATCH ~ be a researcher for a day with Marine Mammal Research (MMR)

Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 June ~ WHALE & DOLPHIN WORKSHOP ~ become a citizen scientist volunteer, contribute to Marine Mammal Research

Sunday 29 June ~ WHALE COUNT ~ ORRCA Whale Census Day at Booderee National Park, Cape St George Historic Lighthouse

The Innes Family from Eden: Karen, Blossom & Hugo The Ison Family from Mittagong: Melanie, Scott, Arabella, Octavia, Leo & Cordelia Christel Wernig from Milton Katie & Lainey Ryan from Tarranganda Kylie Herne from South Nowra Kathryn Smith from Kalaru Luka & Hayden Riley from Kalaru Tamerah Boffa from Tantanawangelo Melinda Booth from Towamba Ann Fulton from Bermagui (welcome back!) Jeannie Miller from Long Beach Kerrie Cassells from Turros Heads Lewis Dillon from Bega Kim Houssenloge from Bega

Number of current Members: 250 Number of Authorised Carers: 131

Goodbye and thank you to Emma Kemp who unfortunately leaves us but we know Emma will continue to care for our wildlife in the ACT. We shall miss you….


From whale hunter to whale hugger: the extraordinary life of Kase Van Der Gaag By: Matt Collis (IFAW) Posted: Friday 30 May 2014

The past couple of months have been a series of ups and downs for me and my colleagues, both within IFAW and at other marine organisations. Undoubtedly, the International Court of Justice’s decision to rule Japan’s Antarctic whaling illegal represented a career high. However that euphoria was short lived, as it seems Japan is intent on returning to the Southern Ocean with a revised “scientific” whaling programme in 2015, meaning whales may still not be safe in the long-term. Sad news of a different kind came last week with the news that Kees Van Der Gaag, one of Australia’s last whale hunters who became one of its most effective advocates for whale protection, has died. Kase, as he was known, was an extraordinary. His journey from whale killer to conservationist personified the sea change in attitudes to whales that swept through the public consciousness in Australia and across the world from the late 1970s onwards.

Kase was master on one of the three whale chaser ships hunting sperm whales out of Albany, WA, Australia’s last whaling station. Killing whales didn’t sit well with Kase and he called time on his career in 1977 soon after protests at the whaling station. He later told journalist, Chris Pash, author of the book, The Last Whale (Freemantle Press, 2008), “I had to defend the thing you can’t defend. Killing whales is not something you can defend.” Kase joined IFAW in our “Fight for Fifty” campaign, which we launched to protect the 50 humpback whales Japan was threatening to kill as part of its now disgraced “scientific” whaling programme. IFAW is launching a new campaign, celebrating the end of 100 years of whaling in the Antarctic by outlining 100 reasons why it should never return. With Japan already promising to go back to the Southern Ocean in 2015 with a new “scientific” whaling programme, we need to show politicians and diplomats why this should never be allowed to happen. We need you to send us your reason – why do you want to see a permanent end to whaling? Tell us your reason; it can be in a few sentences or an image that reflects your feelings, but we need your input to demonstrate the strength of feeling. For Kase, his reason was the cruelty – he was someone who witnessed first-hand the suffering caused by industrial whaling but as a result, was someone who could speak out with the upmost authority against it. Kase’s passing has robbed whale conservation of one of its most effective advocates, but his conversion to the whale’s cause is an inspiration for us all. You can find more information on how to submit your reason at www.nationalwhaleday.com.au http://www.ifaw.org/australia/news/whale-hunter-whale-hugger-extraordinary-life-kase-van-der-gaag

© WRSC Wendy McFarlane

˛ Our task must be to free ourselves, by

widening our circle of compassion to embrace all living creatures, and

the whole of nature…..and its

beauty’

~ Albert Einstein

Tango & Froddo © WRSC Belinda Gales


Wombat haircuts made to count - GreenCareer http://www.greencareer.net.au/news/wombat-haircuts-made-to-count Reproduced with permission

T he endangered northern hairy-nosed wombat has given up some hair in the name of research. A University of Adelaide PhD student has been collecting small hair samples to monitor and

conserve the dwindling native’s population. Researchers have taken the high-tech approach of dangling double-sided sticky tape over the entrance to burrows, to complete a population census of the wombat with the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service and the University's Australian Centre for Ancient DNA (ACAD). University of Adelaide PhD student Lauren White has spent the last two weeks in Queensland handling thousands of individual hairs. “As the wombats enter or exit their burrows overnight they get a small wax and hair is stuck to the tape,” says Lauren. “We collected 1,260 hairs and every single one was carefully placed in its own very small tube and transported back to ACAD for DNA analysis. The northern hairy-nosed wombat's numbers dropped to as low as just 40 individuals in recent decades, but conservation efforts meant that number had risen to 163 by 2010. Getting an accurate count is difficult, given that the wombat lives only the in Epping Forest National Park, is mostly nocturnal and lives underground. Previous research by Ms White found nine new genetic markers for the northern hairy-nosed wombat. Researchers then developed a faster and simpler DNA test to be able to identify individuals. “By collecting hairs over several nights and identifying how many different wombats they belong to and how often they've been 'captured', we can then estimate the proportion of the population that's likely to have been sampled. This allows a good estimate of the total population size,” she said. “Hopefully, this next population estimate will continue to show that the northern hairy-nosed wombat population is growing, giving the green light for more reintroductions and recovery action. “Using DNA analyses as part of the conservation effort, we hope to help make sure the wombats are here to stay.”

Loss of 'diggers' threaten ecosystem Wednesday, 25 September 2013 Anna Salleh

http://www.abc.net.au/science/articles/2013/09/25/3855525.htm Digger decline — the loss of small Australian mammals that dig up soil could be contributing to ecosystem decline, say researchers. Wildlife biologist Associate Professor Trish Fleming and colleagues from Murdoch University and the University of Western Australia, report their findings in a recent issue of Mammal Review. From bandicoots, bilbies and boodies to potoroos, echidnas, wombats and woylies, Australia's digging mammals are 'ecosystem engineers'. "They dig massive amounts of soil," says Fleming. "The quenda (southern brown bandicoot) will turn over about 3.9 tonnes of every year." She says this activity is called "bioturbation" and plays a key role in soil health. As the animals dig in search of such things as insects or truffles, they break up the soil and increase water and oxygen penetration, says Fleming. This in turn increases soil moisture and decreases run off and loss of nutrients. And the digging also helps recycle nutrients by trapping and incorporating leaf litter. "By incorporating organic matter into soil the animals increase the availability of nutrients for microorganisms and also increase the availability of nutrients for plants," says Fleming. Removal of leaf litter also has another important function - it reduces bushfire fuel. "If you have vast numbers of digging mammals present then it's quite likely that your fuel for fire would be much lower," says Fleming. Digger decline

Unfortunately, says Fleming, Australia's European colonists trapped, poisoned and hunted the animals, sometimes to extinction. She says around half of digging mammal species are now extinct or under conservation threat, and most have had their ranges restricted. For example, she says, boodies (also known as bettongs) were once found across 60 per cent of the Australian continent but they were poisoned because they dug up potatoes. They are now extinct from the natural environment on the mainland. The bilby was once found across 70 odd per cent of Australia but it was hunted for its beautiful soft light grey fur that was used to make bilby coats, says Fleming. Now it's only found across 20 per cent of its former range.

Only the spiky echidna appears to have remained unaffected by European settlement. In their review of recent field work, Fleming and colleagues make a link between the loss of these animals, soil processes and vegetation health. She says a loss of soil health due to declining diggers could be leading to reduced seedling recruitment and reduced plant health and vigour. This in turn could be a contributing factor to the widespread and mysterious death of trees across the Australian continent - such as the Tuart (Eucalyptus gomphocephala) in Western Australia. "That loss of resilience in plants could be why we're losing the trees across the landscape." Fleming says the ecological contributions of digging mammals should be considered when planning fire management, and when translocating mammals like bandicoots from new urban developments. "Those animals are playing really important functions," she says. "If we recognise they are valuable then we should be making sure that we're putting them into a habitat that needs those [ecological] systems restored."


SPECIES CO-ORDINATORS

Birds North (Wollongong, Southern Highlands, Kiama, Nowra)

Judy Bailey ................................ 4423 2295

0407 946 173

[email protected]

Birds South (Bay and Basin, Sussex, Batemans Bay, Moruya, Southern Tablelands)

Jenny Packwood .................... 0418 497 345

[email protected]

Flying Foxes and Microbats

Gerry Hawkins ...................... 0414 931 452

[email protected]

Macropods

Kim Goodsell ............................. 4422 4453

0488 996 604

[email protected]

Possums and Gliders

Debbie Colbert ........................... 4441 5948

0403 305 948

[email protected]

Raptors

Jenny Packwood .................... 0418 497 345

[email protected]

Reptiles, Snakes, & Amphibians

Jane Mills ................................... 4421 7883

0407 297 264

[email protected]

Small Mammals and Echidnas

Rhonda Parker ............................ 4448 3414

[email protected]

Threatened Species

Jenny Packwood .................... 0418 497 345

[email protected]

Wombats

Shirley Lack ............................... 4443 4877

0438 434 877

[email protected]

2014 COMMITTEE

President

Position Vacant

Vice President

Gerry Hawkins ..................... 0414 931 452

[email protected]

Treasurer

Joy Weatherall .......................... 4443 3272

0417 677 917

[email protected]

Secretary

Debbie Colbert ......................... 4441 5948

0403 305 948

[email protected]

Committee Members

Kim Goodsell ............................ 4422 4453

0488 996 604

[email protected]

Dusty Jones .......................... 0423 958 059

[email protected]

Fiona Kelleher .......................... 4422 4567

0400 493 815

[email protected]

Bill Parker ................................ 4448 3414

[email protected]

Richard Woodman

(Woody) .................................... 4885 2008

0412 002 400

[email protected]

Co-ordinators (Regional)

Far South Coast

Ray Alcock ............................. 6493 0357

0427 688 850

[email protected]

Southern Highlands & Tablelands

Richard Woodman

(Woody) .................................... 4885 2008

0412 002 400

[email protected]

wrsc june newsletter final 2014 6 9€¦ · all dogs are welcome, large, small, mixed breed, pure...

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