Reminder… There are three ways you can report • Snap Send Solve app sick, injured and orphaned wildlife to (download from Apple or Play Store) Wildlife : Reporting by web or app means that Wild Friends • Phone 03 8400 7300 you do not have to wait on the phone • Web reporting form via our website on hold. Our operators will deal with www.wildlifevictoria.org.au these reports in the order received. wildlifevictoria ISSUE 9 • SEPTEMBER 2020 Pouch Raven Ringtail rescue Meet our WildFriend Joanne checking returns home WildFriends to thank them for their Q: When did your love of Wildlife start? We often receive calls from people generosity and support. Joanne: As a very young child. I grew up saves lives who are worried about young birds on the Mornington Peninsula and had flailing around on the ground during Meet Joanne, one of our WildFriends lots of wildlife around and had a sense Spring. Often these birds are just who has been donating to Wildlife of being part of nature. My parents were fledglings, trying out their flying and Victoria for about four years… nature enthusiasts, so we did a lot of flapping skills. Normally they are bushwalking and camping growing up. just finding their wings and don’t Q: What motivated you to become a I would always get so excited when I saw need saving. WildFriend? an animal. In this case though, the juvenile raven Joanne: I have always adored Australian had fallen out of its nest that was way wildlife, and have living on Q: Do you have a favourite native up high in a tree on a private property. my property now. I started noticing the animal? It was just a little too small to be out of roadkill and then saw someone hit a As well as kangaroos, I would have to the nest by itself. Fae and her possum friend , so stopped and called say I adore ! We also have a Wildlife Victoria for help. I gained a The property resident called us to ask pair of wedge tailed eagles that live near Shannon phoned us about a small great appreciation of the human impact us - they are so magnificent and I have how to help the bird. He could see that on wildlife and wanted to give back. As ringtail possum who had been on her even seen them with their baby. Bella was rescued from mum's pouch the parents were still in the vicinity. well as becoming a WildFriend I started neighbour’s roof and under attack Joanne volunteers at a local shelter from a raven. In an attempt to escape, volunteering at my local wildlife shelter Q: Have you ever needed to use Wildlife The best thing for the bird was to return once a week, and I bring my children Spring is the season for wildlife to its nest. the possum jumped to a tree on Wildlife Victoria has a very special Victoria's services apart from that first orphans, and a peak period for calls Shannon’s property. However, it group of donors who have committed along so they too learn the importance time when you saw the kangaroo get hit? to our Emergency Response Service. With a little bit of ingenuity, a pully looked like he may have been injured. to supporting native animals through of protecting our precious wildlife. Yes, I've called Wildlife Victoria when We are constantly reminding people system was rigged up and the bird was our WildFriends regular giving program. Wildlife rescuer Fae went out to help. Q: Why did you choose Wildlife Victoria? I've seen kangaroos on the side of the to check marsupial pouches for returned home safe and sound! road so they could perform a pouch orphaned babies! It’s been such a tough year for many The possum was high up in the tree in Joanne: I was aware of your organisation check for any joeys. I also called for in our community, so we are extra Little Bella is a velvet swamp a very tricky spot that was not secure over the years and always admired your advice when I saw a kangaroo on our appreciative for our WildFriends’ who lost her mum in a road accident. enough for a ladder. work. You were the first people I thought property that had part of its tail missing. ongoing commitment. Over recent to call that day I saw the kangaroo get hit months, we’ve been telephoning our by the car, and you were so very helpful. Fortunately, a passing driver stopped At first Fae, Shannon and her partner when they spotted Bella’s mum on the John tried to entice the possum down side of the road. They called Wildlife with a strawberry on the end of a pole, Victoria and the Emergency Response but that wasn’t working (although the Operator talked them through the ringtail was mad keen on the fruit). Yes! I want to help sick, injured and orphaned wildlife process for checking a marsupial’s He ended up climbing to the highest NEWS9 pouch. part of the tree. I will give: I will give by: $25 $50 $100 My gift of $ Cheque or Credit card: Visa Mastercard Amex Now the little wallaby is in safe John saved the day by climbing on top hands with a registered wildlife of the roof and nudging the possum I would like to make this a regular monthly donation Card number shelter. She’s only about four down with the pole until finally it fell Donations $2 and over are tax deductible. or five months old, so she’ll stay into the neighbour’s waiting arms. ABN 27 753 478 012 at the shelter for many months Expiry date / CVV “Fae, the Wildlife Victoria rescuer, was before she can be released back into Name the wild. great and directed us as to what to do. Cardholder's name We (and the possum) were so lucky and Raven hoisted to safety Address fortunate that she could arrive so quickly,” said Shannon. Signature Please post this form to: Last spring our Emergency Response Service took more than 3,000 Shannon and John named the little Wildlife Victoria, Reply Paid 86041, Abbotsford VIC 3067 calls about wildlife orphans. Thanks to your support, we are able to get Email fellow Ringo. Funnily enough Ringo was or call (03) 9445 0310 to make a donation. Thank you for your support. orphaned wildlife the care they need. taken to a registered shelter where he Phone Donate online at www.wildlifevictoria.org.au/donations met another newly arrived ringtail - Bingo! Supporting wildlife through Grant win for raptor shelter Thanks to our donors, we have been often critical condition. Their ability to the challenges of 2020 able to issue more than 300 grants hunt has been impacted and they may What a roller-coaster of a year 2020 by the State Government allowed us this year; providing vital support for not have drunk or eaten for a number has been! We started the year with to expand our services to the Victorian wildlife carers, rescuers and shelters of days. A lot of them don’t survive.” the terrible Black Summer bushfires, community. all over Victoria. followed immediately by a global Through Wildlife Victoria’s donor pandemic. The journey of recovery During “lockdown” periods the number Wildlife shelter operator, Nalini, was supported grants program, Nalini was for people affected by these events of animals hit by vehicles - mainly a recipient of our donor supported able to purchase essential PPE, sanitis- may take years. For many this has been kangaroos - dropped by 40%, one of grants program. ers, waterproof waders, a raptor net and a year of loss – homes, jobs and even the few positive outcomes of COVID-19 an inflatable boat amongst other things. loved ones lost before their time. movement restrictions. A passionate raptor lover, Nalini says The loneliness and isolation she’ll take in any bird that needs help, “A little boat can be so handy! experienced by some as we stay apart Throughout this challenging year, our with most costs coming out of their but the owls fascinate her. Sometimes we have to do a waterbird to avoid virus transmission has certainly wonderful volunteers across Victoria own pockets. The Wildlife Victoria grants rescue. There have been occasions when taken its toll. So much has changed have continued to respond to animals have aimed at bushfire recovery, “We mainly see the Brown Goshawk, I’ve thought to myself, how on earth will since this time last year. We have all in need of rescue and transport to get increased capacity to care for wildlife, Nankeen Kestrel, Collared Sparrowhawk I get to this bird?” been given a reminder that nothing them the help they need. Veterinarians improved infrastructure and preparing and Australian Hobby around here. Barn Owls in rehabilitation can be taken for granted. have continued to provide free services for future disasters. Local owls include the Southern “I did a rescue of an Australasian Darter to wildlife, and the amazing wildlife Boobook and Barn Owl and very last year at Lilydale Lake that had an a quiet, warm and dark space. It is At Wildlife Victoria we have been able shelters and foster carers have An enormous THANK YOU is owed to occasionally the – entangled beak and I had to find particularly helpful for treating animals to continue the Wildlife Emergency continued to give animals a second our many donors and supporters – from Powerful Owls are an endangered someone with a boat to help me get in shock.” Response Service without interruption chance at a wild life. those who have been donating regularly species so they get taken straight up out to her.” during the pandemic. In March we set up for many years, to the new donors who to Healesville Sanctuary.” “I used it for the first time recently our phone operators with home-based Due to the incredible generosity of provided much needed funds to the Nalini also purchased a second-hand for a Brown Goshawk cruelty case, workstations, and continued to respond donors to the Bushfire Appeal, we have Bushfire Appeal. Your generosity has Nalini said birds have a preservation humidicrib with funds received from but unfortunately he did not survive,” to reports of sick, injured and orphaned been able to distribute over a million made a transformational difference to reflex - even when sick or injured they Wildlife Victoria. Nalini said. wildlife. In the 2019/20 year, our dollars in grants to volunteer wildlife wildlife rescue and care in Victoria. will sit up and pretend they are ok. operators answered 45,485 phone calls rescuers and carers. These dedicated “I already have an intensive care unit at Nalini passed on her thanks to Wildlife – over 5,000 more than the previous volunteers have historically had Dr Megan Davidson “The Raptors are incredibly stoic. the shelter, but now with this humidicrib, Victoria supporters who made the grants year. A generous first-ever contribution extremely limited access to grants, CEO Birds will arrive in a compromised, a much larger bird can be hospitalised in possible.

the responsible Minister, by This year the Minister for Environment Defending our native animals representation on the Stakeholder announced a long-overdue review of What is wildlife advocacy? wire or to take action to reduce the risk Reference Group of the Office of the the Wildlife Act 1975. This is a once in It is any action that promotes the to wildlife. Conservation Regulator, and by making four-decade’s opportunity to advocate interests of wildlife, to protect and formal submissions to reviews of for laws that better protect our native defend their welfare and life. Where a case involves cruelty or legislation and public consultations. wildlife, and we will be putting suspected illegal activity, we report the considerable resources into this project. At Wildlife Victoria we engage in details to the authorities and follow up You can find copies of these advocacy on behalf of wildlife in to ensure that action has been taken. In submissions on our website: Advocacy for bushfire response many ways. one case a man who killed a threatened • 2019 – Commercial Kangaroo An important activity this year has been New regs for Grey-headed flying fox trapped in his Shooting Code advocating for improvements in the state fruit-tree netting was reported to us by • 2019 – North-East link project response to wildlife affected by bushfire. fruit tree netting Everyday advocacy his neighbour. We were able to get the • 2020 – Independent enquiry into In the past two bushfire seasons, wildlife When taking a call from the public our local police to attend and the man was New regulations coming into effect in 2019-2020 Victorian fire season volunteers trained by DELWP have not phone operators advocate for the arrested and charged with cruelty and 2021 will ban the use of dangerous nets been included in the bushfire response. animal’s best interests and welfare. firearms offences. • 2020 – Consultation on use patterns with large holes. If you can poke your This might be by persuading the caller for anticoagulant rodenticide products Wildlife Victoria, with other organisations, finger through the net, it is not safe for are working with DELWP to improve the that the fledgling bird does not need Advocacy with policy and • 2020 – Enquiry into ecosystem wildlife. Animals can easily become “rescue”, that they cannot keep the decline in Victoria system to achieve better welfare entangled in the net. baby they found in a dead decision-makers outcomes for wildlife affected by mother’s pouch, and that they are not Advocating with governments and their Some of the successes of this type of bushfire and advocating for the inclusion Most birds and animals (mainly flying allowed to trap and relocate or kill departments to influence policy and advocacy in recent times are the of volunteer rescuers and vets in the foxes) trapped in these nets experience possums on their property. legislation is the way we can potentially revocation of the Governor in Council incident response. severe injuries and need to be have the greatest impact on wildlife Order that unprotected wombats in euthanized. Survivors can take months Sometimes we advocate by seeking to welfare. large areas of Victoria, and the inclusion of costly rehabilitation before they can remove the cause of animals becoming of regulation of domestic fruit-tree be released. injured or trapped. For example, we ask We advocate by speaking and meeting netting and the banning of glue traps in Wildlife Victoria CEO Dr Megan Davidson with property owners where wildlife has been regularly with key government the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Please ensure any netting you use Andy Meddick MP and some furry friends. caught on barbed wire to remove the department staff, by writing directly to Regulations 2019. complies with the new regulations. Supporting wildlife through Grant win for raptor shelter Thanks to our donors, we have been often critical condition. Their ability to the challenges of 2020 able to issue more than 300 grants hunt has been impacted and they may What a roller-coaster of a year 2020 by the State Government allowed us this year; providing vital support for not have drunk or eaten for a number has been! We started the year with to expand our services to the Victorian wildlife carers, rescuers and shelters of days. A lot of them don’t survive.” the terrible Black Summer bushfires, community. all over Victoria. followed immediately by a global Through Wildlife Victoria’s donor pandemic. The journey of recovery During “lockdown” periods the number Wildlife shelter operator, Nalini, was supported grants program, Nalini was for people affected by these events of animals hit by vehicles - mainly a recipient of our donor supported able to purchase essential PPE, sanitis- may take years. For many this has been kangaroos - dropped by 40%, one of grants program. ers, waterproof waders, a raptor net and a year of loss – homes, jobs and even the few positive outcomes of COVID-19 an inflatable boat amongst other things. loved ones lost before their time. movement restrictions. A passionate raptor lover, Nalini says The loneliness and isolation she’ll take in any bird that needs help, “A little boat can be so handy! experienced by some as we stay apart Throughout this challenging year, our with most costs coming out of their but the owls fascinate her. Sometimes we have to do a waterbird to avoid virus transmission has certainly wonderful volunteers across Victoria own pockets. The Wildlife Victoria grants rescue. There have been occasions when taken its toll. So much has changed have continued to respond to animals have aimed at bushfire recovery, “We mainly see the Brown Goshawk, I’ve thought to myself, how on earth will since this time last year. We have all in need of rescue and transport to get increased capacity to care for wildlife, Nankeen Kestrel, Collared Sparrowhawk I get to this bird?” been given a reminder that nothing them the help they need. Veterinarians improved infrastructure and preparing and Australian Hobby around here. Barn Owls in rehabilitation can be taken for granted. have continued to provide free services for future disasters. Local owls include the Southern “I did a rescue of an Australasian Darter to wildlife, and the amazing wildlife Boobook and Barn Owl and very last year at Lilydale Lake that had an a quiet, warm and dark space. It is At Wildlife Victoria we have been able shelters and foster carers have An enormous THANK YOU is owed to occasionally the Powerful Owl – entangled beak and I had to find particularly helpful for treating animals to continue the Wildlife Emergency continued to give animals a second our many donors and supporters – from Powerful Owls are an endangered someone with a boat to help me get in shock.” Response Service without interruption chance at a wild life. those who have been donating regularly species so they get taken straight up out to her.” during the pandemic. In March we set up for many years, to the new donors who to Healesville Sanctuary.” “I used it for the first time recently our phone operators with home-based Due to the incredible generosity of provided much needed funds to the Nalini also purchased a second-hand for a Brown Goshawk cruelty case, workstations, and continued to respond donors to the Bushfire Appeal, we have Bushfire Appeal. Your generosity has Nalini said birds have a preservation humidicrib with funds received from but unfortunately he did not survive,” to reports of sick, injured and orphaned been able to distribute over a million made a transformational difference to reflex - even when sick or injured they Wildlife Victoria. Nalini said. wildlife. In the 2019/20 year, our dollars in grants to volunteer wildlife wildlife rescue and care in Victoria. will sit up and pretend they are ok. operators answered 45,485 phone calls rescuers and carers. These dedicated “I already have an intensive care unit at Nalini passed on her thanks to Wildlife – over 5,000 more than the previous volunteers have historically had Dr Megan Davidson “The Raptors are incredibly stoic. the shelter, but now with this humidicrib, Victoria supporters who made the grants year. A generous first-ever contribution extremely limited access to grants, CEO Birds will arrive in a compromised, a much larger bird can be hospitalised in possible.

the responsible Minister, by This year the Minister for Environment Defending our native animals representation on the Stakeholder announced a long-overdue review of What is wildlife advocacy? wire or to take action to reduce the risk Reference Group of the Office of the the Wildlife Act 1975. This is a once in It is any action that promotes the to wildlife. Conservation Regulator, and by making four-decade’s opportunity to advocate interests of wildlife, to protect and formal submissions to reviews of for laws that better protect our native defend their welfare and life. Where a case involves cruelty or legislation and public consultations. wildlife, and we will be putting suspected illegal activity, we report the considerable resources into this project. At Wildlife Victoria we engage in details to the authorities and follow up You can find copies of these advocacy on behalf of wildlife in to ensure that action has been taken. In submissions on our website: Advocacy for bushfire response many ways. one case a man who killed a threatened • 2019 – Commercial Kangaroo An important activity this year has been New regs for Grey-headed flying fox trapped in his Shooting Code advocating for improvements in the state fruit-tree netting was reported to us by • 2019 – North-East link project response to wildlife affected by bushfire. fruit tree netting Everyday advocacy his neighbour. We were able to get the • 2020 – Independent enquiry into In the past two bushfire seasons, wildlife When taking a call from the public our local police to attend and the man was New regulations coming into effect in 2019-2020 Victorian fire season volunteers trained by DELWP have not phone operators advocate for the arrested and charged with cruelty and 2021 will ban the use of dangerous nets been included in the bushfire response. animal’s best interests and welfare. firearms offences. • 2020 – Consultation on use patterns with large holes. If you can poke your This might be by persuading the caller for anticoagulant rodenticide products Wildlife Victoria, with other organisations, finger through the net, it is not safe for are working with DELWP to improve the that the fledgling bird does not need Advocacy with policy and • 2020 – Enquiry into ecosystem wildlife. Animals can easily become “rescue”, that they cannot keep the decline in Victoria system to achieve better welfare entangled in the net. baby wombat they found in a dead decision-makers outcomes for wildlife affected by mother’s pouch, and that they are not Advocating with governments and their Some of the successes of this type of bushfire and advocating for the inclusion Most birds and animals (mainly flying allowed to trap and relocate or kill departments to influence policy and advocacy in recent times are the of volunteer rescuers and vets in the foxes) trapped in these nets experience possums on their property. legislation is the way we can potentially revocation of the Governor in Council incident response. severe injuries and need to be have the greatest impact on wildlife Order that unprotected wombats in euthanized. Survivors can take months Sometimes we advocate by seeking to welfare. large areas of Victoria, and the inclusion of costly rehabilitation before they can remove the cause of animals becoming of regulation of domestic fruit-tree be released. injured or trapped. For example, we ask We advocate by speaking and meeting netting and the banning of glue traps in Wildlife Victoria CEO Dr Megan Davidson with property owners where wildlife has been regularly with key government the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Please ensure any netting you use Andy Meddick MP and some furry friends. caught on barbed wire to remove the department staff, by writing directly to Regulations 2019. complies with the new regulations. Reminder… There are three ways you can report • Snap Send Solve app sick, injured and orphaned wildlife to (download from Apple or Play Store) Wildlife Victoria: Reporting by web or app means that Wild Friends • Phone 03 8400 7300 you do not have to wait on the phone • Web reporting form via our website on hold. Our operators will deal with www.wildlifevictoria.org.au these reports in the order received. wildlifevictoria ISSUE 9 • SEPTEMBER 2020 Pouch Raven Ringtail rescue Meet our WildFriend Joanne checking returns home WildFriends to thank them for their Q: When did your love of Wildlife start? We often receive calls from people generosity and support. Joanne: As a very young child. I grew up saves lives who are worried about young birds on the Mornington Peninsula and had flailing around on the ground during Meet Joanne, one of our WildFriends lots of wildlife around and had a sense Spring. Often these birds are just who has been donating to Wildlife of being part of nature. My parents were fledglings, trying out their flying and Victoria for about four years… nature enthusiasts, so we did a lot of flapping skills. Normally they are bushwalking and camping growing up. just finding their wings and don’t Q: What motivated you to become a I would always get so excited when I saw need saving. WildFriend? an animal. In this case though, the juvenile raven Joanne: I have always adored Australian had fallen out of its nest that was way wildlife, and have kangaroos living on Q: Do you have a favourite native up high in a tree on a private property. my property now. I started noticing the animal? It was just a little too small to be out of roadkill and then saw someone hit a As well as kangaroos, I would have to the nest by itself. Fae and her possum friend kangaroo, so stopped and called say I adore wombats! We also have a Wildlife Victoria for help. I gained a The property resident called us to ask pair of wedge tailed eagles that live near Shannon phoned us about a small great appreciation of the human impact us - they are so magnificent and I have how to help the bird. He could see that on wildlife and wanted to give back. As ringtail possum who had been on her even seen them with their baby. Bella was rescued from mum's pouch the parents were still in the vicinity. well as becoming a WildFriend I started neighbour’s roof and under attack Joanne volunteers at a local shelter from a raven. In an attempt to escape, volunteering at my local wildlife shelter Q: Have you ever needed to use Wildlife The best thing for the bird was to return once a week, and I bring my children Spring is the season for wildlife to its nest. the possum jumped to a tree on Wildlife Victoria has a very special Victoria's services apart from that first orphans, and a peak period for calls Shannon’s property. However, it group of donors who have committed along so they too learn the importance time when you saw the kangaroo get hit? to our Emergency Response Service. With a little bit of ingenuity, a pully looked like he may have been injured. to supporting native animals through of protecting our precious wildlife. Yes, I've called Wildlife Victoria when We are constantly reminding people system was rigged up and the bird was our WildFriends regular giving program. Wildlife rescuer Fae went out to help. Q: Why did you choose Wildlife Victoria? I've seen kangaroos on the side of the to check marsupial pouches for returned home safe and sound! road so they could perform a pouch orphaned babies! It’s been such a tough year for many The possum was high up in the tree in Joanne: I was aware of your organisation check for any joeys. I also called for in our community, so we are extra Little Bella is a velvet a very tricky spot that was not secure over the years and always admired your advice when I saw a kangaroo on our appreciative for our WildFriends’ who lost her mum in a road accident. enough for a ladder. work. You were the first people I thought property that had part of its tail missing. ongoing commitment. Over recent to call that day I saw the kangaroo get hit months, we’ve been telephoning our by the car, and you were so very helpful. Fortunately, a passing driver stopped At first Fae, Shannon and her partner when they spotted Bella’s mum on the John tried to entice the possum down side of the road. They called Wildlife with a strawberry on the end of a pole, Victoria and the Emergency Response but that wasn’t working (although the Operator talked them through the ringtail was mad keen on the fruit). Yes! I want to help sick, injured and orphaned wildlife process for checking a marsupial’s He ended up climbing to the highest NEWS9 pouch. part of the tree. I will give: I will give by: $25 $50 $100 My gift of $ Cheque or Credit card: Visa Mastercard Amex Now the little wallaby is in safe John saved the day by climbing on top hands with a registered wildlife of the roof and nudging the possum I would like to make this a regular monthly donation Card number shelter. She’s only about four down with the pole until finally it fell Donations $2 and over are tax deductible. or five months old, so she’ll stay into the neighbour’s waiting arms. ABN 27 753 478 012 at the shelter for many months Expiry date / CVV “Fae, the Wildlife Victoria rescuer, was before she can be released back into Name the wild. great and directed us as to what to do. Cardholder's name We (and the possum) were so lucky and Raven hoisted to safety Address fortunate that she could arrive so quickly,” said Shannon. Signature Please post this form to: Last spring our Emergency Response Service took more than 3,000 Shannon and John named the little Wildlife Victoria, Reply Paid 86041, Abbotsford VIC 3067 calls about wildlife orphans. Thanks to your support, we are able to get Email fellow Ringo. Funnily enough Ringo was or call (03) 9445 0310 to make a donation. Thank you for your support. orphaned wildlife the care they need. taken to a registered shelter where he Phone Donate online at www.wildlifevictoria.org.au/donations met another newly arrived ringtail - Bingo!