WITH only one volunteer remaining in Bombala, Wildlife Rescue South Coast is shouting out to the community to get involved.
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Long serving Wildlife Rescue South Coast volunteer for the Bombala region, Chris Haley, said the lack of volunteers means fewer native animals are able to be saved, or are sent to other regions for care and release.
“It would be great to get more volunteers on board so I can hand the reins over, but there needs to be more than one because you just get worn out
otherwise,” she said.
“I’ve been volunteering for 20 years and it’s a love of animals that keeps me going.
“I’m looking after a tiny [Common] Brushtail Possum at the moment, who is with me as a result of his mother being hit by a car.
“He was just 28.9 grams when I first got him; very tiny with no fur, eyes weren’t yet open and was very battered and bruised. He is now 500 grams but it took hourly feeds, 24-hours-a-day to get him here.
“We call him Tiny Tim.”
Ms Haley said she will soon have to give up her much loved work due to health reasons, but said she doesn’t want to see the end of local wildlife volunteer work.
“For those who are interested in getting involved, I will be helping the next lot of volunteers get under way as much as I can,” she said.
“I really hope we can get some younger volunteers involved.
“There is a lot of training available and the rewards you get from rehabilitating and releasing these animals is hard to compare.”
Wildlife Rescue South Coast coordinator Ray Alcock said everyone who is over the age of 18 is welcome to volunteer and there are different avenues to pursue if you aren’t able to be a full-time carer.
“We rehabilitate sick, orphaned or injured native wildlife and you can do training in certain fields such as macropod, bird and raptor care, or you can even help out with our fundraising stuff,” Mr Alcock said.
“Fundraising is extremely important because as you know we are all volunteers, so without the help of donations we wouldn’t be able to do what we do.
“For those who are under 18 years, we do offer a buddy system which involves a mentoring program with our volunteers.”
Wildlife Rescue South Coast is always accepting new volunteers and supply appropriate training for your area of interest.
For more information or to get involved visit the Wildlife Rescue South Coast website www.wildliferescue.org.au or contact Ray Alcock on 6493 0357 or
0417 238 921 or you can contact Chris Haley on 6458 3073.
