Koala Insurance Population & Wildlife Hospital
Donation protected
Video: Channel 7
WILDLIFE HOSPITAL
Rescuing injured Australian wildlife ravaged by bush fires is crucial. However, emergency reactions to the devastation are only half the battle. What happens next?
Our wildlife deserves to be treated in a purpose built hospital.
We've travelled all across Australia and we've seen some amazing facilities.
Photo: Australia Zoo Wildlife Warriors
The wildlife hospital at Australia Zoo is incredible.
Photo: Cowrakid
So too is the one at Healesville Sanctuary.
Photo: Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary
And the one at Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary.
The wildlife of South Australia deserves the same. We can build it.
You may remember, we purchased the 14 acre property next door to Warrawong a year ago.
We have the land at Warrawong Wildlife Sanctuary to build a wildlife hospital. We also have the full-time staff. What's more, we have 28 vet and animal science students doing work experience with us over the summer break. And, of course, we have our brilliant team off dedicated volunteers.
Our initial goal is small. We have a massive shed on the property that is easily converted into a treatment facility. SA Power Networks have given us a new power connection and we have an unlimited water supply from Lake Cumbungi. We also have 18 enclosures on the property that have already been inspected by the Department of Environment and Water and deemed suitable for quarantine. The basic infrastructure is there. We can kick-start this project immediately.
We have the land. We have the infrastructure. We have the people.
Our long term goal is to build a world class facility on the hill above the lake. It will overlook the underwater observatories, which we intend to use as a "platypussary". In other words, we'll have a wildlife hospital, which also functions as a platypus and koala research centre.
This is especially important for koalas because they suffer from 3 significant health issues.
1. Chlamydia
2. Oxalate nephrosis
3. Retro virus
All can be fatal.
Of course, being a Sanctuary, if needs be, we can also offer rescued animals a forever home, like Rodney here.
Rodney's never going to be able to dodge a car, or outrun a dog. However, he can have a safe home at Warrawong, where he receives a lot of love.
KOALA INSURANCE POPULATION
It's reported that the Kangaroo Island fires could have wiped out half of the island's koala population. How many koalas will be left after the next fire?
We need to get ahead of the game.
Whether it's injury, disease, catastrophic fires, or climate change... We need a long term strategy for saving our unique Australian wildlife.
We're lucky to be in a position to start a koala insurance population. The rescued koalas in our care are all disease free. That makes them great founders for a breeding population.
The breeding program will need to be managed to ensure the greatest genetic diversity. Fortunately we have some expertise in this area, having worked with the critically endangered Tasmanian Devils for years. We will, however, need to work with other organisations, as a successful program would have around 600 individuals. There are lots of zoos and wildlife parks already wanting to help in this area.
We've even enlisted the help of Active Tree Services and SA Power Networks. Eucalyptus leaves are constantly being pruned from under power lines. It's much better for the leaves to go to koalas than to get mulched. Naturally, we'll share this valuable resource with the rescuers and carers, all of whom do a fabulous job. It's important that we all contribute what we can.
Everyone wants to save Australia's most iconic animal.
THE FOUNDATION
Warrawong Sanctuary Foundation is a registered charity and donations to the Public Fund are tax deductible. All funds raised go to the Public Fund, which is managed by an independent committee. If you choose to support the Foundation, you're supporting a professional, transparent organisation.
We need your help now. The fires at Cudlee Creek and on Kangaroo Island mean there will be an enormous number of animals, like Rescued Rodney, needing a wildlife hospital and a safe home in the immediate future. We need to prepare for the influx.
Please help us deal with the emergencies at hand and solve the big picture issues for wildlife care. We need to be pro-active, not just re-active.
A hospital now. An insurance population then. For wildlife, for ever and always.
To make tax deductible donations, please give through Go Fund Me, or use the PayPal "Donate" button at the bottom of the Warrawong Wildlife Sanctuary web page.
Thank you for your continued support.
WILDLIFE HOSPITAL
Rescuing injured Australian wildlife ravaged by bush fires is crucial. However, emergency reactions to the devastation are only half the battle. What happens next?
Our wildlife deserves to be treated in a purpose built hospital.
We've travelled all across Australia and we've seen some amazing facilities.
Photo: Australia Zoo Wildlife WarriorsThe wildlife hospital at Australia Zoo is incredible.
Photo: CowrakidSo too is the one at Healesville Sanctuary.
Photo: Currumbin Wildlife SanctuaryAnd the one at Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary.
The wildlife of South Australia deserves the same. We can build it.
You may remember, we purchased the 14 acre property next door to Warrawong a year ago.
We have the land at Warrawong Wildlife Sanctuary to build a wildlife hospital. We also have the full-time staff. What's more, we have 28 vet and animal science students doing work experience with us over the summer break. And, of course, we have our brilliant team off dedicated volunteers.
Our initial goal is small. We have a massive shed on the property that is easily converted into a treatment facility. SA Power Networks have given us a new power connection and we have an unlimited water supply from Lake Cumbungi. We also have 18 enclosures on the property that have already been inspected by the Department of Environment and Water and deemed suitable for quarantine. The basic infrastructure is there. We can kick-start this project immediately.
We have the land. We have the infrastructure. We have the people.
Our long term goal is to build a world class facility on the hill above the lake. It will overlook the underwater observatories, which we intend to use as a "platypussary". In other words, we'll have a wildlife hospital, which also functions as a platypus and koala research centre.
This is especially important for koalas because they suffer from 3 significant health issues.
1. Chlamydia
2. Oxalate nephrosis
3. Retro virus
All can be fatal.
Of course, being a Sanctuary, if needs be, we can also offer rescued animals a forever home, like Rodney here.
Rodney's never going to be able to dodge a car, or outrun a dog. However, he can have a safe home at Warrawong, where he receives a lot of love.
KOALA INSURANCE POPULATION
It's reported that the Kangaroo Island fires could have wiped out half of the island's koala population. How many koalas will be left after the next fire?
We need to get ahead of the game.
Whether it's injury, disease, catastrophic fires, or climate change... We need a long term strategy for saving our unique Australian wildlife.
We're lucky to be in a position to start a koala insurance population. The rescued koalas in our care are all disease free. That makes them great founders for a breeding population.
The breeding program will need to be managed to ensure the greatest genetic diversity. Fortunately we have some expertise in this area, having worked with the critically endangered Tasmanian Devils for years. We will, however, need to work with other organisations, as a successful program would have around 600 individuals. There are lots of zoos and wildlife parks already wanting to help in this area.
We've even enlisted the help of Active Tree Services and SA Power Networks. Eucalyptus leaves are constantly being pruned from under power lines. It's much better for the leaves to go to koalas than to get mulched. Naturally, we'll share this valuable resource with the rescuers and carers, all of whom do a fabulous job. It's important that we all contribute what we can.
Everyone wants to save Australia's most iconic animal.
THE FOUNDATION
Warrawong Sanctuary Foundation is a registered charity and donations to the Public Fund are tax deductible. All funds raised go to the Public Fund, which is managed by an independent committee. If you choose to support the Foundation, you're supporting a professional, transparent organisation.
We need your help now. The fires at Cudlee Creek and on Kangaroo Island mean there will be an enormous number of animals, like Rescued Rodney, needing a wildlife hospital and a safe home in the immediate future. We need to prepare for the influx.
Please help us deal with the emergencies at hand and solve the big picture issues for wildlife care. We need to be pro-active, not just re-active.
A hospital now. An insurance population then. For wildlife, for ever and always.
To make tax deductible donations, please give through Go Fund Me, or use the PayPal "Donate" button at the bottom of the Warrawong Wildlife Sanctuary web page.
Thank you for your continued support.
Organizer
David Cobbold
Organizer
Heathfield, SA