By STEVE GRAY
RECENT storm activity and a heatwave across the Darling Downs has forced a large number of birds and animals into care, said local wildlife carer Lyn Gynther.
In particular, Tawny Frogmouth owls and possums have been brought in after storms dislodged them from nests, Ms Gynther said.
Last week’s heatwave had also seen a large number of flying foxes dropping out of roosts due to heat exhaustion.
“The heat has certainly thrown challenges up for those looking after animals in care,” Ms Gynther said.
“We’ve been trying to keep them cool, whereas usually we are trying to keep them warm.”
Joeys had to be wrapped in wet towels as local temperatures peaked above 40 degress Celsius.
A number of possums rescued after recent storms weighed in at 1kg and are still too young to successfully fend for themselves.
“They are all doing well and will be released at around 1600 grams,” Ms Gynther said.
“Our ’tiny tot’ for 2013 being a 42 gram ’Pinkie’ brushtail possum is currently 451 grams and doing well also. He will join his mates when he is ready to reunite with his own kind,” she said.
“A 2.5 kilogram red-necked wallaby joey was also rescued and taken into care and after some frustrating hours of convincing it that it was too small to be without its mother, it has also settled down very well and is now over 5kg and becoming very independent.”
Ms Gynther is a member of a wildlife carers’ group operating under the auspices of the Ipswich Koala Protection Society since she and others formed the group mid last year.
Carers must be licensed under an approved organisation to operate and their formation as a sub-branch of the Ipswich society means they have the support of an additional 50 or more active carers and experienced personnel, and training facilities.
“We have carers and rescuers for bats, marsupials – possums, wallabies, koalas, kangaroos, gliders, echidnas – birds, amphibians and reptiles and our rescue service is available 24/7,” she said.
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Rescue contacts:
East of Warwick – Killarney area : Lyn 4664 8476 or 0401 487 976.
Warwick area – Molly : 4661 3337 or 0438 611 343.
Clifton – Allora area – Luci : 4697 3185 or 0400 647 333.
Bats: 0401 487 976.
