Wildlife hospital goes batty

Wildlife Hospital expands

As a result of unprecedented weather conditions resulting in drought, fire and floods the Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital continues to see a worrying increase in patient numbers.

So far this year the number of animals requiring treatment has been infinitely worse because of the prolonged drought, which has meant the breeding season of many animals has occurred during a food and water shortage, and the recent fires have further exacerbated already vulnerable wildlife.

One of the worst affected animals, who play a vital role in pollinating native plants, is the flying fox. Hundreds of severely malnourished orphaned flying foxes have been transported from fireravaged parts of New South Wales to Queensland where they can receive life-saving treatment.

Dr Rosie Booth, Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital director, said that in order to care for the influx of young flying foxes the hospital was upgrading its rehabilitation facility to cater for 350 orphaned grey-headed flying foxes.

“We are going to repurpose an existing facility so that it can be a crèche for flying foxes and then commence work to build a specially designed flying fox facility that can help us to offer further care to these important animals,” Dr Rosie said.

Flying foxes feed on the nectar and pollen of native blossoms and fruits and are instrumental in the conservation of our environment as they spread seeds and pollinate native plants.

“Many people don’t realise that flying foxes are actually critical to our own survival because they pollinate many of the plants that humans and other animals depend on,” Dr Rosie said.

She said it was important for us to all do our part to ensure we can live harmoniously alongside our precious wildlife.

Everyone can help wildlife in their backyards by putting out compost scraps, a shallow container of water and shelter areas this bush fire season.

We can all keep our pets inside at night, plant native trees and bushes, drive carefully at dawn and dusk, and call 1300 ANIMAL if we see wildlife in need.

Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week and is Australia’s busiest wildlife hospital.

For more ways to help native Australian wildlife in this time of need, visit www.wildlifewarriors.org.au.