There’s one task that’s guaranteed to excite you, inspire you, challenge you, exhaust you and break your heart like absolutely nothing else, and a new course will help more people discover the ups and downs of caring for wildlife.
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It’s estimated that more than 500,000 native animals are killed on Tasmanian roads every year, but what isn’t as easily quantified is the collateral damage, the thousands of injured and orphaned that are also victims.
These animals are taken in by a small army of volunteer wildlife carers across the state, but more are always needed.
For this reason the Tasmanian Wildlife Rehabilitation Council (TWRC) in conjunction with the Department of Primary Industries is offering an introductory course for novice carers or members of the public interested in being registered wildlife carers.
The Novice Level Wildlife Training course, facilitated by vet nurse and long-time wildlife carer, Ebony McIntosh will cover a wide range of topics including species physiology and development, assessment, feeding, hygiene, basic first aid, common diseases and more.
A department representative will also be on hand to talk about becoming a registered wildlife carer.
Cory Young has been a wildlife carer for 16 years and said that after seeing so much death in wildlife populations from pets and cars, it was great to be able to give something back.
“My best memory is raising a little bettong joey named Dobby,” he said.
“He was only 86g when I got him and he taught me so much.
“It was amazing to be able to release him.”
But for carers like Cory, loss is also a huge part of the work they do.
“My toughest memory was losing a wombat named Maisy.
“She came into care at 136g, with a serious leg injury, and while she pulled through all of that, the injury had put her too far behind in her development and sadly she had to be euthanised at four kilos as she was never going to be released.”
Ultimately though wildlife caring is a balance of the lows and the highs.
“A successful release is the reward at the end of all the hard work and knowing that the animal you raised from a tiny pink thing has gone on to be self-sufficient and able to reproduce is the best feeling,” he said.
The Novice Level Wildlife Training will be offered on Sunday, September 16 at Rocherlea Memorial Hall, 9am to 4pm and is open to all novice carers and members of the public.
Cost is $30 and registrations are essential.
To find out more visit the Tasmanian Wildlife Rehabilitation Council Facebook page or email twrc@taswildlife.org to register.
