Volunteer wildlife rescuers in the Macedon Ranges have described their workload as unsustainable.
They say the callouts they respond to on a daily basis are a full-time commitment, leaving them unable to earn an income in paid employment.
There is also no government funding for their work.
Sue Anderson, Trevor Crawford and Debbie Gwyther-Jones are among the handful of volunteer rescuers registered with Wildlife Victoria who share the shire-wide workload between them, each averaging about 25 callouts a week.
“If you’ve got a shelter or you’re a carer you can apply for grants, but grant money doesn’t go very far when you’re doing the amount of rescues that we’re doing,” Sue said.
“Most callouts involve euthanasia to end suffering, which is probably 90 per cent of the cases we attend, and there is no funding.”
Trevor said rescuers could spend up to $1000 a week in fuel and vehicle running costs responding to callouts from morning to night.
“You can only do it if you’re in a position where you don’t owe money and you’re not working, but we’re destroying our financial future at the same time,” he said.
“We’re going to get to a point where we’ve got no money, we’re burnt out, and then it’s all over.”
Debbie said increasing urban development had led to an increase in dog attacks on wildlife, kangaroos caught in fencing or being hit by cars.
“Developers, before they even start, should have a wildlife management plan, but they don’t,” she said.
“Where they’re developing in Romsey there are mobs of roos, and they’re putting more than 600 new houses in there.”
The rescuers are calling for help from the public via a fuel gift card drive.
Anyone wanting to help them with their costs is urged to purchase a fuel gift card from your local service station and drop them in to the donation box at the Midland Express office at 3 Market Street Kyneton.
For injured wildlife, call Wildlife Victoria on 8400 7300.
What you can do to help…
– Slow down when driving at dusk and dawn and be aware of your local wildlife.
– Know your surroundings. Kangaroos tend to cross roads in the same places, be aware of where these crossings are.
– Consider wildlife-friendly fencing. More information is available online via Macedon Ranges Shire Council and Wildlife Victoria websites.
– Remove barbed wire fencing if you don’t need it for stock control. Most wildlife including birds, bats, kangaroos, possums, sugar gliders all get caught in barbed wire.
– Don’t have your dogs off-lead in known wildlife areas.
– If you find an injured animal pin drop the location.
– Look for any other environmental markers that will help a rescuer locate the animal.
– If possible, stay in your vehicle, about 30m away to avoid scaring the animal off, until a rescuer arrives.
– Never try to feed wildlife, they need specialist care.
– Save the Wildlife Victoria number in your phone – 8400 7300.
