Wildlife warriors at work

By Monique Ebrington
COMMUNITY Wildlife Shelters have been inundated with heat stressed animals struggling to cope with the extreme temperatures.
The Australian Wildlife Health Centre at Healesville Sanctuary have been treating a variety of species including koalas, cockatoos, echidnas and possums struggling to cope with the heat.
Last week Healesville Sanctuary vets treated a ringtail possum that had been bought in with burnt feet that they suspect was caused by either a hot tin roof or the road. Senior Veterinarian at Healesville Sanctuary Dr Rupert Baker says extreme temperatures are having a disastrous effect on animals.
“Birds are becoming lethargic and are landing fatally close to dogs and cats,” he said. “Others are literally falling out of trees — we treated 10 possums yesterday (Friday 30 January) alone.”
Help for Wildlife voluntary carers have been overwhelmed at the moment with huge number of ringtail possums and birds that have been severely affected by the recent heat.
Without a cool change expected anytime soon wildlife carers are urging the community to help by filling up birdbaths or leaving water out for struggling animals. Dr Baker says that while actively helping wildlife is great, human contact with wild animals should be kept to a minimum.
“Until you know what to do, keep the animals in a cool, quiet dark place. Holding, playing or showing the animal to other people might cause it to die of stress,” he said.
Victorian’s who encounter heat stressed wildlife can call RACV Wildlife Connect on 13 11 11.
RACV Wildlife Connect is a 24 hour a day telephone service that immediately connects to one of three Victorian-based volunteer wildlife groups who provide advice and support.