By BELINDA PARKES
THE Tweed’s only wildlife care group is calling out for volunteers to help rescue, rehabilitate and release the thousands of sick, injured and orphaned animals it takes in every year.
Tweed Valley Wildlife Carers president Jo Cabale said more than 3000 animals a year were cared for by the group’s small but dedicated group of volunteers and thousands more were assessed, transported, relocated or reunited with their families.
She said most of the time it was the close contact they had with people that caused their harm, from collisions with cars or windows, attacks by dogs or cats, loss of habitat and entanglement in discarded fishing line or barbed wire.
The work can be time-consuming but rewarding and people interested in getting involved are invited to come along to an orientation day being held in Murwillumbah this Saturday, 11 May, where they will learn about the work of the Tweed Valley Wildlife Carers, different ways they can assist and some basic rescue and first aid techniques.
Ms Cabale said the Tweed Valley’s wildlife carers came from all walks of life and were dispersed right across the shire, but by each doing their share helped give so many native animals a second chance at survival.
She said there was a role for everyone, it was just a matter of identifying how much time they had to give and what areas they were interested in, and the orientation day was an opportunity to do that.
“It also provides a forum for communication to begin so even if you are not sure how you can contribute, this is a place where people get together and talk which can help you discover what areas interest you most,” Ms Cabale said.
“It is a good way to make new, like-minded friends but by far the best part is seeing an animal you have helped to care for return to its home in the wild.”
Ms Cabale said some TVWC members chose to tend to the 24-hour telephone hotline 02 6672 4789, where concerned members of the public report an animal in trouble. The phone volunteer’s job was to co-ordinate the action to be taken and contact the best available member to do that.
Other members looked after the animals in their homes, raising babies until they were big enough to fend for themselves, caring for the sick and rehabilitating the injured and many chose to specialise in their preferred species, whether it be birds, seabirds, snakes, wallabies, echidnas, bats, frogs, bandicoots or lizards.
Ms Cabale said although some members were unable to commit the time and effort it to look after an animal but they could still play a crucial role on the phone lines, by transporting injured animals to vets or carers or helping with rescues.
Making enclosures or nest boxes, sourcing food supplies, helping to fund-raise, writing policies or newsletters ormaintaining care and rescue records were other areas where people’s skills can be put to use, she said.
The Orientation Day will be held from 9am-4pm in the Canvas and Kettle Room at the council building on Tumbulgum Road, Murwillumbah. Morning tea will be provided but people will need to bring their own lunch.
For more information or to register your attendance, call Tweed Valley Wildlife Carers on 02 6672 4789.
