Merry hristmas - ACT Wildlife · job' with the Southern ACT Catchment Group. I was humbled and...

ACT Wildlife Newsletter December 2015

Newsletter

What’s Inside

President report p. 2 In the News p.7

Bird report p.3 Possum stories p.8

Reptile report p.4 The Vet Visit p.9

Training report p.5 Fundraising p.10

Echidna training p.6 Editor report p.11

Member profile p. 7 Membership form p.11

Pin up Page p.12

Merry Christmas

'No matter how many of the same species you care for, they are ALL complete individuals!'

Photo courtesy Mandy Conway


President Report—Marg Peachey

ACT Wildlife has now been operating for 2 years! The committee is reviewing many of our procedures as the volume of animals has increased enormously. The number of animals in the first 11 months of this year has almost tripled the number received last year in the same time period: 667 compared to 1638. Congratulations to everyone for your contribution. We have released 622 animals so far in 2015, all of which have had a second chance at life. The last few months have been extremely hectic for everyone, especially carers and the phone and transport people dealing with regular and difficult situations daily. Please look after yourselves and do not take on more than you can manage. We have had a couple of very enthusiastic beginners who have taken on too much and have had to give up for a bit. Congratulations to our Vice President, Martin Lind, who has received a Landcare award for his 'real job' with the Southern ACT Catchment Group. I was humbled and surprised when I recently received an award for being a Wildlife Educator from the International Fund for Animal Welfare. Thanks to Ben Gingold for nominating me for the IFAW Animal Action Award. Our recent Phone forum has produced some interesting new procedures with a combined discussion between carers and phone people. More on that soon…… Lets keep up the momentum and keep improving our procedures and outcomes into 2016. All comments and feedback is welcome. I hope everyone has a terrific Christmas and New Year and can get a small amount of relaxation in there somewhere!

ACT Wildlife

Thanks our Sponsors!!

INTERNATIONAL VOLUNTEERS DAY 2015

The 5th December was International Volunteer Day. Everyone deserves a huge pat on the back for the effort put into the core business of ACT Wildlife. It is

hard to single out individuals so thank you all.

The committee has, for this year chosen Erika Guenther, who has been a carer for more years than I can guess, and who is extremely experienced and

talented in rehabilitating all species of birds and marsupials and Dee Harmer, a new carer and phone operator. Dee began caring in the middle of

September this year and has already had 44 animals pass through her house. To both of you, congratulations! A special mention must also go to Kumiko

Callaway who spends many hours each day rescuing, reuniting orphans with their parents and overseeing all the bird intake as well as seeing that there is

a resolution to all phone calls.


Bird Report—Kumiko Callaway

687 birds (64 species) came into care during September, October and November 2015. We received about 2.7 times more birds than the previous 3 months (June to August). Lots of orphan

birds came in. We constantly receive support from RSPCA for medication and Xray, local vets for initial assessment, the fire brigade for difficult rescues, and members of public who report on

wildlife in need and help transport to vets and carers. Finally thank you to our wonderful dedicated carers, phone, transport and rescue volunteers. We saw 268 birds (39%) successfully released

Membership Renewal reminder

Members are reminded that subscriptions for those joining before 1/10/2015 are due on1/1/2016, fees are:

single and family $20, associate $50

Members joining between 1/10/2015 and 31/12/2015 receive membership to 31/12/2016.

Fees can be paid by bank transfer to:

ACTWildlife Inc

BSB 633 000

Account 151980604

Our reference; m'ship followed by surname.

All volunteers not yet members are urged to join for ease of communication, database and insurance purposes. Membership applications can be located at http://www.actwildlife.net/become-a-member.html

http://www.actwildlife.net/become-a-member.html


Reptile report—Ingrid Singh Some statistics to be proud of! You might wonder about how well we are doing as reptile carers. Well, in terms of our release rate. Very well! The release rate for a lizard is 36%, if we count 2 who went in good condition but a little unexpectedly...if we don't count them then we still reach almost 34%. Many lizards that die do so on the first day or so. This can be because we have taken them into care and they are very severely injured, so don't even make it to their vet appointment. Sometimes the vet has made a judgement that there is an injury that might well be survivable, but it may turn out that it is worse than expected. The outcome of bowel punctures and spinal wounds especially can be hard to foresee, because so much of it is inside of the lizard and hard to see. As carers, it's important that we seek to have the initial treating vet administer pain relief to these more serious injuries, to give the animal the lowest problems from shock and the best chance for lower stress while they recover. So make sure to ask the vet about this! Don't be shy, you would ask for pain relief without hesitation if you or your pet had a big hole in you! Vets are getting better at doing this routinely but a few might be unsure what to prescribe...ask them to find out! So, the great festive message for lizards (turtles, too) that come into care is that if they don't die or get euthanased within the first few days they are very likely to go on to release. Nice and fat for Christmas, just like I intend to be

A HUGE WELCOME TO THE FOLLOWING NEW MEMBERS:

Armstrong Family

Kaylin Randell

Keren Baker

Nicholas Shore

Kim Burnett

Leigh & Lisa Gannon

Sylvana Ransley

I hope you like this photo of 'you want me to eat what?!'

He's a dragon who had a very serious wound from dog

attack, now healing up very well. He was eating fresh cab-

bage moth caterpillars on a cauliflower leave. He nibbled

most of them delicately but too quickly for my camera, until

he took a chomp out of the cauli leaf...


Training report—Alicia Ozanne

It has been a busy year of training for ACT Wildlife. The training we provide has been a great

investment and opportunity for people to build and develop their expertise and network with a

range of our carers and volunteers. It has also been essential in providing background knowledge

to support on-the-job learning. In total, 14 individual courses were held in six separate disciplines

with over 240 people attending.

While attendance levels have been strong, I would again like to encourage anyone who would like

to become a carer or even assist with supporting our phones or transport activities, to register for

our upcoming training. Every contribution helps, even the smallest involvement can go a long way.

NEXT TRAINING SCHEDULED

We are in the process of finalising our 2016 training calendar and hope to share this with everyone

in early January. Below are tentative course dates for the next 2 months:

January

Orientation 31st

February

Basic Bird 14th

Phone/Transport 24th

THANK YOU

Without the support of many people, we couldn’t deliver our training courses so I would like to

take this opportunity to thank the following groups for their support, dedication and hard work:

Thank you to the Lions Youth Haven in Kambah and the Parks and Conservation in Mitchell for graciously hosting us at your venues over the course of the year. Being a voluntary organisation we really appreciate your generosity. To our talented group of training facilitators Marg Peachey, Martin Lind, Mandy Conway & Ingrid

Singh. It goes without saying that we could not run our courses without your dedication,

enthusiasm and depth of knowledge. Thank you for your contribution and giving up your valuable

time to guide our volunteers.

Finally, I would like to thank all participants and volunteers for supporting our training courses

over the year. There is always wonderful camaraderie and a great sense of shared purpose which

always makes our courses an enjoyable and rewarding experience. We wish you all a Merry

Christmas and look forward to seeing you at our training courses in 2016.

For injured wildlife in the ACT

Injured kangaroos and snakes - Canberra Connect - 13 22 81

All other wildlife - ACT Wildlife - 0432 300 033

View our website at www.actwildlife.net

or sign up on Facebook for regular stories and information.

Orientation & First Aid

Adv Birds

Basic Birds

Basic Possums

Reptile Phone, Rescue & Transport

Run 5 1 2 2 1 3

Attendees 98 24 38 34 20 32


Echidna Training with Peggy Rismiller—Cat Young and Joan McKay

In October a number of us were lucky enough to attend echidna training with echidna expert Peggy Rismiller. While I was aware that I didn’t know very much about echidnas, I didn’t realise how little is known about them generally. Even less than we know about platypus! Peggy was very generous in sharing her knowledge and having studied echidnas on Kangaroo Island for 26 years she has a lot to share. There was so much information and picking out a couple of key points is very difficult. But perhaps the most interesting for me was that echidnas only feed burrow young every 5 days. In between this they can travel over 10km foraging in a separate area of their territory. This means that while mom is away the temperature of burrow young can drop dramatically (to as low as 17 degrees) as does their weight. Also being a bird person myself I was delighted to hear that they have an egg tooth for breaking out of their shell! Rescuing an echidna— summary from notes from course. 1. Your safety comes first. 2. Safety and welfare of the animal. Watch traffic. Keep the area quiet, ask people to move away. 3. To move an echidna off the road or to pick up off a hard surface: Do's and Don'ts: Don't ever pull as it will clamp down. Don't pick it up by a hind leg - dislocation. Do use something like a rubber car mat, an old coat or wind cheater. From the side of the echidna, get the edge of the mat under, wedge it in as far as you can, then gently roll it off the road or onto a flexible surface to then be bagged or safely moved. 4. To pick up an echidna on soft ground: Have a container ready. Never use a shovel. Bare hands make it easier. Avoid contact with the

sensitive beak. Get down on your knees behind the echidna. Gradually slip one or both hands under its shoulders and legs a bit. Relax. It starts to dig, wait, when it relaxes, repeat, don't hesitate. Feel for the soft underbelly, then pull up. When you can hold it firmly, lift steadily towards you. It will automatically move forward and roll around your hands, giving you a firm grip. The echidna's body can move about freely inside its coat of spines, so if it starts to squirm hold it quietly against your body, then into a prepared container. They are surprisingly strong and skilled at levering. "Only authorised wildlife carers or researchers with permits are allowed to pick up an echidna for transport or rescue." 5. To transport an echidna - beware as they are escape artists: Don't use a cardboard or Styrofoam box as they will be torn to shreds or

a wooden crate. Do use a hessian or jute bag (must be tightly woven, you may be able to get one from a coffee importer, tie the top), an esky or a fisherman's stacker box with 10cm litter on the bottom (not newspapers - the paper sound is stressful to them) and the top tightly on (holes drilled in sides if keeping overnight). 6. Keep the echidna cool.

SAVE THE DATE

Need more information -

www.actwildlife.net

27th December—Bunnings BBQ

Email: [email protected]

31st January—Orientation Training


14th February—Basic Bird Training


21st February—AGM

24th February—Phone/Transport Training


26-28th February—Canberra Show


20th March—Rescue Training


27th March—Orientation Training


10th April—Possum Training



Member Profile—Mandy Conway

What made you decide to become involved with ACT Wildlife?

I have been caring for injured wildlife for just over 15 years, mainly through my vet nursing for Jan Spate. She has been my mentor. I also became involved with RSPCA Wildlife way back then, where I met Marg. I have since joined ACT Wildlife, when I heard Marg had formed the group nearly 2 years ago.

What is your role within the group?

I can care for or raise just about any animal, be it injured or orphaned native wildlife, as well as poddy lambs, calves and goats. Reptiles are my main passion. I try to help Marg with ACT Wildlife Administration work once a week or anything else I can do.

What is your most memorable wildlife moment?

I have raised a few kangaroos, wallaroos, wallabies and a wombat; they're all special. One of my first Eastern Grey Kangaroos, called Hannah, was soft released on a Gundaroo property. I visited the owners about 5 months later, who didn't think Hannah would remember me. I walked slowly towards her and she just stayed very still, watching me closely. I kept talking to her before finally getting really close and kneeling down with my hands outstretched. Hannah moved slowly towards me and stretched both her arms towards mine. We actually held hands for what seemed an eternity. She has had about 4 joeys that I know of, and I feel blessed to have had her in my life. Every successful release of any animal is memorable and worth all the work.

How do you like to spend your time when it is not helping wildlife?

I have quite a few reptiles as pets, my pythons are very special. I am the Newsletter Editor, (chief writer because everyone else is busy!) of the ACT Herpetological Society, as well as an active organiser of our annual Snakes Alive! Exhibition held in January each year at the Australian National Botanic Gardens.

I own a 1963 VW Beetle which I love working on, and I am the Secretary of Club VeeDub Canberra, with whom I go on many out-and-about trips. I also love very old furniture which I often restore; woodwork, upholstery, leadlighting, etc.

In the News - Click on the link to take you to the original article.

This week there was news that a multi millionaire from Sydney was being investigated for shooting wombats on

his property at Yass. The full article can be found here http://www.smh.com.au/national/multimillionaire-car-

dealer-tony-azzi-investigated-over-wombat-deaths-20151218-glqoga.html , apparently it was not long until

there was backlash from postings on Facebook and articles in the media which included a ‘flurry of angry emails

and phone calls’ to the car dealerships that Mr Azzi owns. The investigation is being undertaken by NSW

National Parks and Wildlife Service as it is a criminal offence to harm protected fauna without the appropriate

licences. Wombats are considered a protected species in NSW and the ACT.

On the same day the SMH reported on why Jackie French, the current Children’s Laureate, likes to write about

wombats—http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/books/why-jackie-french-writes-about-wombats-20151126

-gl2jby.html Her latest children’s book ‘Wombat Wins’ is out just in time for Christmas.

http://www.smh.com.au/national/multimillionaire-car-dealer-tony-azzi-investigated-over-wombat-deaths-20151218-glqoga.html

http://www.smh.com.au/national/multimillionaire-car-dealer-tony-azzi-investigated-over-wombat-deaths-20151218-glqoga.html

http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/books/why-jackie-french-writes-about-wombats-20151126-gl2jby.html

http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/books/why-jackie-french-writes-about-wombats-20151126-gl2jby.html


What’s in a name—Lindy Butcher

On naming our wildlife in care - Some carers like to name the creatures that come into their care and others prefer not to. There are lots of reasons for each stance. I like to name my little charges – it reminds me of their value in their world. Even if they don’t survive a name is evidence that they have existed. And names are practical. With six tiny possums in care at one time it was easier to ask – “Have you fed Aussie?” rather than “have you fed the little male in the pink pouch by the couch?

But with naming comes the dilemma of what to name them. There are only so many permutations of “Collingwood” for the hundreds of baby magpies that make their way into our lives during breeding season. I’ve developed a system – I use themes. Lots of little orphaned possums come in over Christmas – hence Santa, Nick and Elfie. Then there are lollies – Jaffa, Jelly bean, and Mintie, although the latter was because the poor little baby smelled so terrible. The Royal family have featured – Charles, Di, Elizabeth and Victoria. Maxie and Minnie - just because it sounded cute. Flowers have been used – Blossom, Rosie and Petal. Individual characteristics also play a

role – Rusty, Goldie, Frankie (poor little Frankenstein was held together with stitches) and I babysat one named Satan, the reason for which became abundantly clear after the first incidence of snarling and biting. More recently Houdini was in my care – for one night only, until he lived up to his name made a miraculous escape from a closed aviary! Aussie was my “little Aussie Battler” after coming into care at 42 grams and growing to a successful release. This year I am using an Australian theme in alphabetical order. We have had several wallabies -Alice, Bindi (Brindabella), Clancy, Digger and Esky, the wombat Fozzie (Foster’s Lager) and currently a pinky wallaby named Girtie (Girt by sea). We are considering Holden or Hills Hoist for the next animal. I’m happy to take suggestions.

Double Trouble—Kirsty Price

These two brushtail possums came into care a week apart at the beginning of November. At that stage they both had their eyes closed Cobber a male , was orphaned and severely dehydrated weighing barely 70 grams which had dropped to 58 by the time I met him. With attentive carers and veterinary help he is growing well and now has his eyes finally open.Shelia had a wound on the top of her head when she came to us through another local Veterinary hospital. Weighing just 64 grams gave dosing medications an interesting spin. With her wound not looking so good Shelia visited the after hours vet where she was given a minute dose of pain relief and antibiotics to go home with. Her tiny wound dressings were changed twice daily and the wound has now disappeared. With Shelias eyes opening two and a half weeks ago she is clearly the eldest even if she is still a little smaller. I have often paired possums up before but not while they were this young, They often scream and hiss at each other as there always seems to be one possum who wants to be the baby and tries to ride the other, using them for security. Sometimes I think it is mean to put them in together but after a while they find their mutual way and when it is release time they are much better at coping with the real world. Well Cobber and Shelia have totally by-passed that stage and cuddle up to each other all the time. It is amazing the bond they have at such a young age they will even drink their bottles side by side. They are both thriving and gaining weight. Dee and I will be overjoyed the day we release these two Aussie's.


The Vet Visit

In summary: the Golden Rules of working well with the veterinarian.

1. Be patient, understanding and respectful, especially on busy days.

2. Be informed and educated and share that education with the veterinarian.

3. Be prepared: accurate history, fresh samples, recommended drugs and doses.

4. Give feedback on how treatment is going and final outcomes for every case that the vet has

been involved in.

5. Use of restricted (S4) or controlled (S8) drugs for treatment of animals must be in accordance

with the prescription of a registered veterinarian.

6. Shower the veterinarian with gifts if you are getting good discounts.

Extract from a paper presented by Dr Jon Hanger and Dr Andrew Tribe to the 2005 Wildlife

Conference. A full copy of the paper can be downloaded from here http://www.awrc.org.au/

uploads/5/8/6/6/5866843/awrc_jon_hanger_andrew_tribe.pdf

This year as part of the Centre's 'Giving Project', Murrumbidgee Education and Training Cen-tre has been making possum boxes to donate to the ACT Wildlife Inc. The boxes are distribut-ed to possum carers to care for possums prior to and after their release back into nature. To date, 22 possum boxes have been built and decorated by students. Recently, students met a possum orphan who benefit from their hard work at an assembly. Students felt a great deal

of pride in knowing that they are helping our native wildlife.

http://www.awrc.org.au/uploads/5/8/6/6/5866843/awrc_jon_hanger_andrew_tribe.pdf

http://www.awrc.org.au/uploads/5/8/6/6/5866843/awrc_jon_hanger_andrew_tribe.pdf


Fundraising—Heather Peachey

Can you assist with raising funds for ACT Wildlife by selling

Cadbury chocolates?

It's easy, you simply purchase a variety box from one of our

distributors, place a small sign stating costs and that it's raising

money for ACT Wildlife and place it at your workplace or

wherever you know chocolate loving people will be!

Boxes cost $50 each and payment is required at time of

collection.

If you live on the Northside you can arrange to pick up the chocolates with Jessica Thomas on

[email protected] or 0438 284 836.

Our Southside distributor position is vacant so in the meantime you can call me on 0407494680. If

you're interested in being our southside distributor please let me know. It's easy! You order and

store the chocolates and advertise through the newsletter. If you want to give me a call for further

details please do.

A minimum of 50% of the profit from every bottle purchased goes to ACT Wildlife. A snapshot of wine available

is shown below. Visit http://www.goodwillwine.com.au/charities/act-wildlife for many more options.

Funds raised to date.

http://www.goodwillwine.com.au/charities/act-wildlife


From the Editor—Barb Dobner

Thankyou to everyone for your support in sending articles this year and giving positive feedback.

This has been a very different year for me, moving back down south after being in the Northern

Rivers for the last 15 years or so. Different species, different systems, different vets and actual

seasons rather than having the same weather all year around. A reminder it is now summer—hot

and dry, which means our wildlife can suffer. We can all do our little bit by putting out water for

both birds and lizards. It is preferable bowls are shallow and easily accessible to reduce the risk of

drowning. I just love watching our local

magpies have a bath in their water bowl on a

hot day.

DEADLINE FOR THE NEXT

NEWSLETTER IS

1st February 2016. Contributions can be emailed to

[email protected]

Membership Application ACT Wildlife welcomes new members. Each new member will be considered at the next committee meeting and there is no guarantee of acceptance. An applicant must read, accept and abide by the Code of Conduct and Code of Ethics, which covers the acceptable behaviour within the group and acceptable animal welfare code of practice. If you would like to become a mem-ber please fill out the form below and return to [email protected]. Name:

Address:

Suburb / Town: State: Postcode:

Home phone: work phone: mobile:

Email:

Type of Membership: Members caring for wildlife must live in the ACT. I wish to be a:

Member $20 (an active volunteer with ACT Wildlife, individual or family)

Associate $50 (members who are supporters or live in other States)

I wish to donate $.............. Total $..................

I am, or have been a carer. Which carer organisation? …………………………............. When?..............

I wish to train to become a carer I wish to volunteer in other capacities

I have / have not attended an orientation / training day run by ACT Wildlife. I have read the Carers Code of Conduct and Code of Ethics and agree to act in accordance with the Codes Signature: ………………………………………… Date: ………………… Bank Details: ACT Wildlife Inc. BSB: 633-000 a/c # 151980604 Reference for deposit: subs - [your surname] and please email [email protected] __________________________________________________________________________

Office Use Only New member accepted Month Year

Member has accepted Codes Member has completed orientation training

mailto:[email protected]


Pin Up Page Position Name Phone Email

Patron Ian Fraser

President Marg Peachey 0450 961 530 [email protected]

Vice President Martin Lind 0447 870 448 [email protected]

Secretary Denise Kay 0467 506 167

6255 5098

[email protected]

Treasurer Jim Peachey 6231 3210 [email protected]

Public Officer Megan Wyllie 0413 935 496 [email protected]

Training Officer Alicia Ozanne 0403 835 663 [email protected]

Species Coordinators

Reptiles and Microbats Ingrid Singh 0414 540 925 [email protected]

Birds Kumiko Callaway [email protected]

Possums

Daytime contacts—possums

Sharon Koh

Cheryle Le Fevre

Michelle Johnson

0400 365 168

0401 587 844

0439 816 922

Flying foxes Kirstie Hawkins 6231 3370 [email protected]

Phone, rescue, transport Vacant

Assets and shop Mandy Conway 6259 2224 [email protected]

Food Sales:

Colin Calderwood (Weston)

Everything but possum supplies

0409 444 011 [email protected]

Mandy Conway (Evatt) 6259 2224 [email protected]

Andrew Caldwell (Isabella Plains) 6292 6417

Sewing Jennifer Brian [email protected]

Aviaries and woodwork Vacant

Fundraising and sponsorship Heather Peachey 0407 494 680 [email protected]

Education, Public Relations and Events Emily Birks 0403 878 311 [email protected]

Newsletter Barb Dobner 0402 020 960 [email protected]

Merry hristmas - ACT Wildlife · job' with the Southern ACT Catchment Group. I was humbled and...

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