Carers stories January 2012-

On this page we will keep you informed about animals that you have brought in to care with WIRES Northern Rivers branch. If you would like to know about a particular animal, please email us, and we will do what we can to keep you up to date.

Royal Spoonbill

 

Spoonbills will return year after year to nest in the same location even the same tree.

This little nestling was found after falling from the nest high up in the tree, so high it was impossible to return it which is how it ended up in care.

When it was able to fly it was reunited with the parents and the flock at Teven after 5 weeks in care.

 

 

 

By Melanie Barsony Images by Shaun C Murphy

Pacific Baza's are Australia’s only crested hawk and are easily recognisable by their small crest and distinctive banded chest. Pacific Baza's are excellent parents and both share the role of caring for and protecting their young.
WIRES was called recently after a Pacific Baza fledgling was rescued from the middle of the road near North Casino and taken to the Casino Central Vet Clinic. Luckily the young bird had not been injured and must have landed on the road during one of its first flights.
After the rain cleared the next day, the young Baza was taken back to where it was found to see if it could be reunited with its family. Immediately, both parents arrived calling excitedly while the young bird returned their calls. It was placed in a suitable tree away from the road, while the parents watched on anxiously.  Returning it to its family was the best possible outcome for all, and hopefully this Baza will remember to be more careful of roads.

 

By Jane Donovan

A Red-browed Firertail finch nest complete with 3 chicks fell from a thick leafy tree during a wild storm.

WIRES was called and as the chicks were close to being able to fly I though it would be best to try to reunite them with their parents leaving the chicks in their nest.

Problem being how to get the nest safely back in the tree.

I placed the three chicks in a small basket and using some gutter guard cut to the same size as the nest I wrapped it around the nest, clipped it together and attached a small piece at the back, leaving the front open for the parents to enter.

Using a ladder the nest was placed back in the tree at the same height as it had fallen from, it was tied on securely and the chicks were then placed back in the nest. As soon as the chicks started chirping the parents came back to tend to their offspring.

 

February

WIRES member Alison rescued this little Red-Neck wallaby joey after having watched her trying to get back in to mums pouch for some time. Mum was lying in the grass unable to respond to the joey's needs. When Alison approached mum did not move, this is of course not normal, mum should have instantly opened her pouch for the joey to get in and hopped away at speed.

Alison was able to pick up the joey and realised it was very dehydrated and under nourished indicating that mum may have been ill for some time unable to produce the milk needed for her joey.

Alison gave mum some water and kept an eye on her, and after a few hours she got up and slowly hopped away. One has to wonder if she came close to the house knowing her joey needed help.

The joey is now in care and is doing well, after re hydration and much needed nourishment she is gaining weight, she has joined a group of joey's already in care.

Alison hopes to see mum again hopefully healthy and recovered from what ever was wrong.

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9 February

By Lib Ruytenberg WIRES reptile handler

Months ago I noticed that my resident bearded dragon had deposited some eggs in my garden mulch. I made a point of not disturbing that area. Today while gardening I was thrilled to discover some bearded dragon hatchlings. Most ran away but I managed to briefly capture two of these little ones to get this pic. I managed to weigh and measure one; 3 gr and 10cm nose to end of tail. I hope to see them regularly in future while gardening.

 

1 February

By Sue Ulyatt

Just before New Year WIRES received a call from Ray at Broken Head regarding a small Swamp wallaby joey having survived a car accident in which her mum had been killed.

The sparsely furred joey was brought in to care and has since thrived.

She is now fully furred and starting to leave her pouch to investigate her enclosure together with another Swamp wallaby joey that came in to care from Bess at Suffolk Park. The joey was found entangled on a barbed wire fence.

Both joey's are doing well and enjoying each others company, they will stay in care for many months yet until they are old enough to fend for themselves in the wild.

 

 

January

Northern Brown Bandicoots

By Sharon McGrigor
Five juvenile Northern Brown Bandicoots came into care after their mum was accidentally killed when run over by a lawn mover.

They spent some time in intensive care and when big enough they were moved into a larger outdoor enclosure where they had lots of fun foraging amongst the leaf litter. Here they learnt to search for tiny insects. As their natural instincts cut in they began making their own tiny nests. It was now time for them to be released back into the wild.

These little critters were a delight to care for and were quite responsive to their substitute carer. It was a pleasure to assist and watch these bandicoots grow so quickly in care.

 

Digger the Echidna By Sharon McGrigor

 

This little Echidna came into care after being washed out of his burrow from recent heavy rains.
Digger as he has been named was found by the Woodburn Postie who took on an extra duty of care to deliver him to Lismore Vet Clinic for a check up.

Digger then came into care in a very weakened condition, needing rest and a good feed. Still dependant on his mothers milk he has been hand fed with specialised Echidna milk formula. This is a slow process that takes about an hour per feed  as Echidna puggles slurp their milk very slowly and often nod off to sleep. A temporary burrow was set up for him to sleep in.

A big thanks to Woodburn Postie

 

January

Ticks & Tawnies
This large juvenile Tawny Frogmouth was found on the ground at Rosebank with an engorged tick on his face. Nathan & Di rang WIRES and the tick was carefully removed.

Ticks this year have been particularly nasty and have been affecting birds and wildlife that are normally immune to them. The North Coast Livestock & Health Authority Vet, Phil Kemsley, believes ticks are climbing higher into the trees and shrubbery to avoid the wet conditions and this seems to be affecting more birds in particular.

The Tawny was very "flat" when found and we were all very happy to see him pull through after being rehydrated. Five days in care and then he was released back into the huge Tallowwood tree where his mother was still waiting for him. Di & Nathan were elated at his return.

January

Saw Shelled Tortoise by Helen Carlos

 

Meagan came across this Saw Shelled Tortoise on 22 January after it had been hit by a car along Theresa Creek Road near Mummulgum.

It was taken in to care by WIRES carer Helen and received treatment at Casino vet clinic. The tortoise will be in care for quite some time but as long as everything goes well it will be released back to the wild when healed.

 

 

 

 

 

January

By Lib Ruytenberg

A concerned citizen in Goonellabah went to investigate a dead bandicoot he found on his property. When he lifted the body of the adult female, he discovered four healthy young huddling beneath their mother’s body. These four long-nosed bandicoots were taken into care by WIRES carer Sharon, and will soon be released into the wild.
Long-nosed bandicoots are common in the Northern Rivers but don’t often come into WIRES care.
They are nocturnal and forage for insects, larvae, worms and plant roots. They’re handy to have around when there is an infestation of lawn grubs. If you have bandicoots on your property it means you have a healthy environment.

 

13 January 2012

 

When Rebecca from Kyogle went out whipper snipping in December she did not suspect a Pink-Tongued Skink to be hiding in the grass. She called WIRES immediately after realising she had injured it with the whipper snipper.

It was taken in to care as it had a head injury.

WIRES reptile carer Kimbah soon realised that the skink was heavily pregnant, and a few days later she had not one skink in care, but 28.

Mother skink had given birth to 27 healthy babies.

All will be released back to Kyogle in the next few days.

 

Thank you Rebecca for being observant and calling WIRES saving the life of not just one, but 28 skinks.

UPDATE:

Images by Carolyn Gray

27 tiny skinks on their way to release	Release site	Excited baby skinks on their way
Checking out the territory	Off they go

 

12 January 2012

This Coastal Carpet Python was most likely looking for a drink of water when it ventured in to a bathroom at Mc Leans Ridges. Unfortunately it tried to get under the shower screen door and got itself well and truly stuck.

WIRES snake handler Helen helped it free and it is now in care to ensure it has no injury from being squashed under the door.

It will be released as soon as we know for sure it is uninjured.

 

1st January

This little Sugar Glider had a rough start to the new year, being found on the road by Jess at Modanville.

Gliders are rarely hit by cars so there had to be another reason why this little fellow was in trouble. It turned out he had two large paralyses ticks. Gliders are normally immune to ticks, but for some reason ticks are particular toxic this year and WIRES has received many animals in to care that would normally not have problems with ticks. So far most have recovered after the ticks have been removed, few days in care and most are released back to where they were found as was the case with this little fellow.

Thank you Jess for calling WIRES.

 

1st January

By Melanie Barsony

This large female Blue Tongue was severely injured in a dog attack when she was preparing to give birth. Blue Tongues give birth to live young, unlike many other lizards.

Home owner Simon immediately called WIRES, then quickly took the lizard to the nearest carer. 

Even though the mother was mortally wounded, with help 12 baby Blue Tongues were delivered.

 

Simon's quick actions made the difference to her babies, and nine survived and are doing well.

Thank you Simon for your quick response.

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