From Donna Brennan  of WILVOS 5441 6200  www.wilvos.org.au

It’s almost holiday time again and WILVOS is celebrating 31 years of rescuing, rehabilitating and releasing wildlife.  We have been lucky to have been able to retain our 24 hour Hotline 54416200 phone number in this time.  Our dedicated Hotline volunteers do four hour shifts from their own home through a diversion system.  They are often complemented on the fact that they are the only ones answering their phone to help with wildlife needing assistance.  At this time of year it is not easy to fill that roster, but our Hotline co-ordinator is a legend!

It has been an extremely busy month during November.  The phonecalls for help aren’t all about injured or orphaned animals.  The wildlife all seem to think it’s springtime as there are many calls from members of the public about nestlings being found on the ground or fledglings looking disorientated.  Where are you Mum and Dad, I think I’ve flown too far! 

Reuniting youngsters with parents is the ultimate reward, but it is not always possible. The Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital and Eumundi Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre send us a long list of animals each day that need care.  These native animals have been taken to the facilities by caring members of the public.  Once vet checked and medications arranged,  our WILVOS carers take what they can from this list to rehabilitate the animals through to return to their home territory or nearest suitable release area.

One lovely little colony of four ringtails were a little annoyed at another being added to their group, so it has been a slow integration.  The fabulous four will line up and drink from their milk dishes like horses from their feed bins, but the newcomer is not allowed join them at the dining room table yet.  He has to be fed individually.  Fascinating little creatures!

Keep observing and caring about our wildlife.  They need you!