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Photograph by Peter Hammond

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Happy Easter(n) bettong!

Image: JJ Harrison, Creative Commons by SA 3.0.

This Easter long weekend, consider a trip to Mulligans Flat Woodland Sanctuary to find out about the work they do for Australian wildlife.

The sanctuary is open 24/7. So, if you visit after dark keep an eye out for Eastern bettongs.

In November 2023, 8 Eastern bettongs were released into the sanctuary as part of an ongoing project to reintroduce them to mainland Australia. Mulligans Flat started reintroducing Eastern bettongs in 2012. They now have well over 100 of the adorable marsupials.

’For more than 100 years, Eastern bettongs, also known as Ngaluda in the Ngunnawal language, have been extinct outside of Tasmania, said Minister Vassarotti, Minister for the Environment.

’The release of these bettongs is significant not just for our local environment, but for the entire country. The Eastern bettong has a pivotal role in its ecosystem, where some of their activities include spreading truffle spores, helping to regenerate the soil, and creating burrows that support native plant growth.’

For more information visit the Mulligans Flat Woodland Sanctuary website.

Interested in protecting local wildlife?

Check our training calendar

Paralysis in rainbow lorikeets

Image: ABC News, Christopher Gilette.

In South-East Queensland hundreds of Rainbow Lorikeets have been afflicted by a syndrome known as Lorikeet Paralysis Syndrome. It spread rapidly amongst the populations causing them to fall out of the sky.

The syndrome causes them to become paralysed so they stop flying and fall out of the sky.

Ipswich RSPCA has cared for a flock of lorikeets and nursed them back to health. They were released back into the wild, a great result.

World Wildlife Day

World Wildlife Day is celebrated every year on 3 March. It’s a chance for us to recognise the unique roles and contributions of wildlife to people and the planet. 

Digital theme for 2024

This year’s theme is ‘Connecting people and Planet: Exploring Digital Innovation in Wildlife Conservation.’

Wildlife rescue organisations rely on digital technology on a daily basis, from taking calls and animal care through to camera monitoring of released animals.

There’s also a range of apps that you can use to identify, monitor and help conserve our precious species. Here’s a small selection of the many great apps to get you started.

  • iNaturalist Australia – for animal, plant and fungi sightings and help with species identification. The app data goes to the Atlas of Living Australia.
  • NatureMapr – to report plant or animal sightings in local areas and get help with species identification.
  • Birdata – to record bird data and contribute to monitoring programs.
  • eBirdAustralia – for bird sightings, includes dynamic maps and graphs.
  • Echidna CSI– to capture echidna sightings and record scat collections.
  • FrogID – to record frog calls.

Happy World Wildlife Day!

About Us

We are Canberra’s only multi-species wildlife care group in the ACT that rescues, rehabilitates and releases native animals. As a not-for-profit and charity we rely on donations to support the work of our volunteers.

Get Involved

Volunteers are our backbone. We welcome you to help in all aspects of rescue and care of the common species in the ACT including behind the scenes work. Training is provided.

Found an Animal?

Call our 24/7 Hotline
0432 300 033

Gently place the animal in a box with a towel or cloth and keep it warm and quiet. If you are unable to contain the animal, please stay near it and call our hotline with directions for rescue.

Important points:

FLEDGLING BIRDS DO NOT ALWAYS NEED RESCUING

Baby birds come out of their nests and cannot fly well for a few days. They are attended to by their parents during this time. Please watch from a distance and if you do not see parents then they may need to be rescued. This is usually not necessary. Call if you want to report an ‘abandoned’ magpie or bird – 0432 300 033

KEEP YOUR FELINE FRIEND INSIDE

You can love your cat and wildlife too.  Under the ACT government’s plan, all new cats obtained by owners after July 1, 2022 will have to be contained, regardless of which suburb they live in.

PLEASE DO NOT FEED BIRDS

Birds, especially magpies are abundant in the ACT. They frequent places where people eat and because people feed them they begin to rely on this (inappropriate) food and demand it.

BIRD NETTING DANGERS

With fruit ripening on trees inappropriate netting traps birds and flying foxes. Netting should have holes that you cannot put your little finger through and be stretched on a frame away from the branches. This means that birds and flying foxes can land and take off from the netting. Otherwise they get hopelessly caught up in loose, sloppy nets. Protecting Wildlife Netting Brochure: Flying foxes should not be touched because of the danger of Lyssavirus, a fatal disease unless you are vaccinated. If you should be bitten or scratched you should attend the hospital emergency clinic immediately and leave rescue of the animal to vaccinated carers with ACT Wildlife.

PRIMARY AND SECONDARY POISONING

Poisons used to kill rats and mice are threatening wildlife and their environment. They are also a threat to children and pets with consequences that can lead to death. Read the full document here outlining the dangers and how to reduce the risk.

Meet a rescued Platypus

Recently, a young platypus was rescued by Louise, ACT Wildlife (ACTW) staff member from the artificial ponds near Yarralumla Play Station. A member of public spotted him and called ACTW as his mum was nowhere to be seen. He had managed to get into the tiny 0.5m by 0.5m shallow pond where the water starts to flow into the ponds from the pump. He was trapped by the steep rocks and struggling as he was exhausted and waterlogged with no land to rest on, as well as in full sunlight and heavy flowing water trying to push him under.
After rescuing him, Louise made a few calls within ACT Wildlife and to some local vets who were all scratching their heads a little. Meanwhile Liz, ACTW volunteer, and Bonnie, ACTW staff, got his initial care sorted, dried him off and got him comfy. Cheryle, ACTW possum coordinator, suggested the local zoo and Tidbinbilla. Louise also found a resource stating that Taronga Zoo had experts working with platypus. All three were contacted and between Ari (Tidbinbilla vet), the National Zoo vet and staff, Shelly (Taronga Zoo vet nurse) and Kimberly (senior vet at Taronga Zoo), we arranged for his initial vet checks and overnight care with the National Zoo.
After his overnight care with the National Zoo he was transported by Liz to Taronga Zoo wildlife clinic, Sydney, to be raised in care for a few more months as he is still likely dependent on mum given his size. Kimberly from Taronga Zoo has high hopes for his release back locally in Canberra in a few months!
A great effort by all the organisations involved.
Watch this space for the update!

The video shows the platypus happily feeding with help from National Zoo staff.