News
Peninsula Link continued...
Wildlife pay a high price when it comes to man’s so called
‘progress and development’, losing their habitat or even their
lives. For many who care about the environment and wildlife by
donating time and giving financial support for wildlife, the scale
and pace of development can seem overwhelming. However, locally we
can take heart that AWARE is active at the grass roots level
rescuing and rehabilitating wildlife and strengthening community
relationships.
Abigroup Construction and Wildlife CSI (a wildlife conservation
service) have, within the scope of the Peninsula Link project,
strategies to manage the impact on wildlife by the project. Local
veterinary clinic Karingal Veterinary Hospital (KVH) was their
chosen veterinary service to assess animals rescued by Wildlife CSI.
When KVH had wildlife brought in from the site they contacted local
shelter ‘Warrawee’ to take on the rehabilitation of the animals.
Subsequently representatives of AWARE (committee and carers) met
with Chantelle Rebello from Abigroup Construction and Peter Myroniuk
from Wildlife CSI to discuss managing the wildlife and concerns
regarding the impact on the habitat as the Link progresses.
We were able to discuss our concerns, AWARE is already and will
continue to play an important role in the rehabilitation of any
injured wildlife and rearing of displaced or orphaned young.
How is the Project Being Managed Regarding Wildlife?
We asked about time-lines for the different stages, and their
approach and tactics to minimize the inevitable impacts. They told
us about the ways they try to reduce loss of life and impact such
as;
Before work commenced Wildlife CSI searched the site marking trees
that may possibly be sheltering wildlife. For example two trees that
were found to have nestling lorikeets are being left standing until
the birds fledge – (a good outcome for the birds who are much better
raised by their parents and for carers who won’t be tied to up to
six feeds per day).
They also look for the tell-tale signs of echidnas and snakes, such
as the copper heads who had been disturbed and relocated, as well as
other animals now going into hibernation and winter torpor.
Trees providing nesting hollows are gradually lowered to the ground
(not dropped) and are left so the animals can relocate during the
safer night hours. Any possums attempting to flee during daylight
are caught, placed in possum boxes and relocated with their new home
to a safe and as close as practicable location.
During the clearing process, and in the following days, felled
hollows are salvaged. They are cut to length and placed in
neighbouring trees for wildlife to use. Additional boxes, such as
those used by possums and sugar gliders, have also been put up in
the vicinity.
Once an area is cleared it is again walked and searched by Wildlife
CSI and Peter told us some frogs and skinks had been located and
moved to safety during this stage.
What Animals Have Come Into Care?
Rescued wildlife is initially taken to Karingal Veterinary
Hospital to be assessed before being passed onto AWARE carers. These
animals so far include a blue tongue lizard, 5 nestling lorikeets
from two different nests and a dependant ringtail.
When rescued the location of each of these animals was recorded by
GPS and they will be released as near as practicable to their
original site when assessed as ready by our carers.
AWARE will keep Abigroup Construction and Wildlife CSI updated with
monthly reports on individual animal’s progress. We will be working
together regarding their release timing and sites.
While the financial and time commitment to provide direct care to
these animals is met from AWARE subsidised food as well as at the
carers expense Peter and Chantelle will collect browse and it will
be made available to members for sharing. They will also call AWARE
for rescuers if more than their team are needed, however believe
this will be unlikely.
Further Information
If you want information about the project or to make a personal comment, Peninsula Link can be contacted on 1300 453 035 or via email peninsulalink@abigroup.com.au. There is an Info Hub at 405 Nepean Highway, Frankston open Wednesday to Friday 10.am to 1.30pm and then again from 2pm to 4pm, it is also open the third Saturday of each month from 10am to 1pm.
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Heat Stress...What We Can Do
Everyone can reduce risks and directly help wildlife in a number
of ways;
1. leave out bowls of water – if leaving out a larger tub or bucket
make sure it is secure and provide a stick or rock for an animal to
use to climb out.
2. keep the water in bird baths fresh and in a location that
provides some protection and screening from predators such as birds
of prey and domestic pets. Or better still, build a pond with
oxygenating plants and screening to provide a permanent supply of
clean water that can be accessed by a wide range of species.
3. hang a water dispenser from a tree or in a bowl in a hanging
basket – there are many dispenser options available. There are some
that only need topping up occasionally such as the ones that use an
empty soft drink bottle suspended in a purpose built tray. These are
very inexpensive and easily accessed by tree dwellers, bird and bat
species.
4. prevent domestic pets from preying on wildlife at increased risk
due to heat stress or searching for water.
The little ringtail left eagerly accepted food and rehydration but
not all are so easy, especially adults. Extreme weather such as
prolonged heat spells together with the drier conditions makes life
even tougher for our wildlife. Measures such as those above will
give all our wildlife a helping hand.
Photo by Janet Wheeler
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New President for AWARE
New President for AWARE Paul Hackett
Hi, some of you may not have met me and may be wondering who I am and what my involvement has been with AWARE. I have had a life-long interest in nature, especially Australian wildlife. About 10 years ago I developed an interest in birds and decided to start photographing them in order to identify them. A few years later I became the Secretary for Birds Australia (Victoria). I was studying Conservation and Land Management in 2002 when I attended a wildlife workshop conducted by Denise Garrett and Michelle Thomas and quickly joined up as a rescuer.
Since then I have rescued and helped rescue hundreds of native
Australian animals, no matter what the species, including
Brush-tailed and Ring-tailed Possums, Echidnas, Swamp Wallabies,
Sugar Gliders, Silver Gulls, Pelicans, Swans, Australian Fur Seals,
Australasian Gannets, Kangaroos, Sulphur-crested Cockatoos,
Kookaburras and many more.
I am one of the founding members of the group AWARE which was
established to service the sand belt region of Melbourne. I have
always been the Vice President of AWARE as well as the Rescue
Coordinator and often run Wildlife Rescue workshops to enable more
people to become available to rescue our wonderful wildlife. I
obtained a boat licence so I could use our boat to rescue waterfowl
and marine mammals.
I work as a Team Leader for Green Corps, a program run by
Conservation Volunteers Australia, providing job seekers with
environmental work experience. I also work as a Wildlife Tour Guide
showing international visitors koalas and kangaroos as well as the
amazing plant, bird and other mammal species which are endemic to
our wonderful country.
I regularly participate in wildlife surveys and fauna and flora
studies. I volunteer for the Orange-bellied Parrot Recovery Team, am
a member of Birds Australia and BOCA (Bird Observation and
Conservation Australia) I recently took part in small mammal
research at Grampians National Park and koala research at the Cape
Otway Centre for Conservation Ecology and will be participating in
international wildlife research next year.
My life is devoted to the environment and the well being of wildlife
in particular. I am always approachable and will always be open to
suggestions regarding the management of AWARE.
Some of the changes I would like to see occur within AWARE are;
• More contact with our members, regular emails, more social events
etc..
• The setting up of formal Sub-committees such as Fundraising,
Social, Membership Care, Media etc
• The training of Telephone Operators, initial and ongoing.
• The establishment of a Telephone Operator Roster.
• Information events.
• Social events
• An appreciation program, recognising our members and volunteers.
• Establishment of a Facebook Page.
• Letters of Appreciation sent to anyone who reports an injured
animals.(email)
• An interactive Database to match that of Wildlife Victoria
(already set up and ready to be implemented).
• More Guest Speakers at meetings and information events.
• Guided Night walks for members to see healthy wildlife in a
natural setting.
• Increased interaction with other groups.
• Affiliation with other relevant groups.
• Total transparency of AWARE operations.
• Membership drives.
• Greater emphasis on the less well-known species which come into
our care.
• Animal identification seminars for all members.
• Specialist telephone contact list for assistance with particular
species.
• Carers specialising in particular species.
• A network of groups to enable a bigger voice when addressing
issues and seeking funds.
• Frequent webpage updates.
• Interactive sections on the website to allow suggestions and
feedback of members.
• The ability to pay for membership via the website.
• The acquisition of a video camera and the establishment of a
YouTube channel to show the world how rescues should be done.
• An elected spokesperson to address all Media.
• The seeking a high profile Patron.
• Positive media releases as well as the unfortunate stories of our
work.
• The production and publishing of podcasts addressing wildlife
needs and wildlife care.
• Seeking professional fund-raisers with time to volunteer services
to AWARE.
• A Business Plan to be developed for our future Wildlife Centre
(Long-term goal)
I am passionate about wildlife and it seems that every aspect of my
life involves wildlife and nature. I look forward to meeting and
talking with you about AWARE, especially in regard to our future and
how we can best help our wildlife.
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Fledgling Baby Birds
Fledgling baby
birds are now about, including butcherbirds, noisy mynas,
kookaburras and seagulls. Most people don't realise that baby birds
come out of the nest unable to fly. Their breast muscle is not
developed enough for upward flight but usually is good enough to get
them to the ground (albeit somewhat clumsily). They then spend the
next two weeks on the ground whilst mum and dad feed and defend
them. This time is crucial to a birds development as it is when they
learn the survival skills from their parents. Fledglings are often
unnecessarily rescued as people fear predation from cats and dogs.
Echidnas
AWARE has received more calls this year than previous from people reporting echidnas in their back yards. We would like to remind you that these are a species that wander constantly in search of food (termites). They are commonly found in suburbia and can climb over wire fences if need be or burrow under wooden fences. Cats and dogs usually pose no threat singly to these happy wanderers however for an echidna to move on it needs to be let alone, so lock your dog away and you will find your echidna will move on overnight.
Recent sightings of echidnas are at Brooklyn Greens estate and several locations in and around Cranbourne, Pearcedale, Carrum Downs, various Frankston locations, Springvale Edithvale, Braeside and Dandenong. The Mornington Peninsula has also seen quite a few in Mt Martha, Rye, Rosebud, Fingal beach, Redhill and Arthur’s Seat.
Koalas At The Beach
A male Koala was hit on Point Nepean Road (Nepean Hwy) Dromana just passed midnight, luckily for this young koala passers by stopped and called AWARE and at 1am in the morning he was successfully rescued and taken into care. He is now recovering at our Frankston shelter. However the car that hit him kept going. Although he has no broken bones he is very sore and sorry for himself and will require around 6 weeks care.
Even if you hit a koala and it climbs up a tree call for help, this can be life saving. No one will judge you or tell you off. We know animals are hard to see at night and often run out in front of cars without warning. Animals not reported end up falling out of trees and if there are no obvious signs of car hit, it can take a while for a clear diagnoses and this can hinder treatment and recovery plans for the individual.
Sugar Glider Sadness
AWARE would like to urge councils to talk with their local carers and wildlife rescuers after a tragic end to a population of sugar gliders in Karingal recently. Ashleigh Avenue Karingal in the Frankston City Area recently had trees cleared and mulched to make way for a new community centre. Unfortunately we were not consulted and as a result possibly 200 sugar gliders have been killed in their hollows as they went through the mulcher.
President Michelle Thomas found the population last year after a young glider was bought into care and on a warn summers night you could lay on the grass beneath these trees and watch the sugar gliders gliding between the tree tops. It is unknown if any have been spared as sugar gliders will not exit a hollow during daylight hours no matter how scary it sounds outside. Gliders can be found in groups of 7-10 individuals and can glide up to 50 metres.
At this time of year (October- November) the young are left in the group hollow in a creche situation and would be venturing out with their mothers for the first time in late November early December (110-120 days old). The numbers in this population were so high because of the age and location of the trees. These trees had 6-10 hollows in each tree, with a family group in each hollow and a dominant servicing male presiding over the tree (males have a scent gland on the forehead which is obvious to the trained eye). Males rub the females chin on their forehead to mark her as their own. Whilst what is done is done we implore councils to take local knowledge of the local wildlife rehabilitators into consideration when planning buildings that require trees to be removed.
We could have saved the lives of these individuals easily with a little planning and careful cutting. Hollows could have been successfully removed and relocated into other trees or nest boxes introduced after successful removal of the gliders.
Gliders provide our trees with a service cleaning the lerp from the leaves of the gums and eating termites. When termite infestation commences and gliders wait until the termites have reached a large enough size then they utilise the termites as a ready food supply until they have eaten them all they then take over the hollow created by the termites as a new site, living in it for many years until the opening to the hollow becomes too large in which they are then under attack by predators such as owls and kookaburras at which stage the hollow is abandoned and new hollows (termite infestations) are sought out.
Often another species such as lorikeets take over and hollow it out further to allow for chicks to hatch. They inturn utilise the hollow for many years until for the same reason they abandon the hollow which are then taken over by larger species like ringtail possums or brushtail possums. All this time the tree is still alive and well. Kookaburras also use hollows, so its easy to see how the environment is so well linked and how we as humans destroy it with out a lot of thought.