Wildlife Victoria has ramped up its services after receiving more than 1000 calls in the past two days due to the state’s extreme weather conditions.
CEO of Wildlife Victoria Lisa Palma told the Express, with parts of the state already flooded, volunteers were finding it difficult to access the animals in need of help.
“The majority are waterlogged birds and at this time of year, our native birds have hatchlings who are extremely vulnerable. Heavily waterlogged birds are unable to fly and are at risk of hypothermia,” Ms Palma said.
“At the moment our marsupials often have young in the pouch and we’ve seen a lot of orphan possums and our eastern grey kangaroos are being isolated by flood waters with many trying to hop and swim through.”
Wildlife Victoria volunteers attended a call outside Kyneton on Friday to rescue a small group of kangaroos trapped in rising floodwaters.
Rescuers were unable to reach the kangaroos due to the dangerous conditions and only two kangaroos were able to reach higher ground, with the rest, mostly females with young in their pouches, presumed drowned.
Situations members of the public are likely to witness during extreme weather include; birds blown from nests, wildlife injured from falling trees, and waterlogged wildlife resulting in exposure.
If members of the public see a distressed, injured or impacted animal, it is important that their first course of action be to call Wildlife Victoria. Emergency Response Service operators are on call and are able to make an assessment over the phone and decide on the most appropriate course of action.
Call Wildlife Victoria’s Emergency Response (24 hours a day, seven days a week) on 8400 7300.
To donate or volunteer at Wildlife Victoria visit: www.wildlifevictoria.org.au
