WILDLIFE care in the Northern Rivers will be supported thanks to $110,000 worth of new education and training projects funded by the NSW Government.
The funding will be used by Byron Bay Wildlife Hospital to help educate and engage the community on a variety of native mammals, birds, amphibians and reptiles, including the causes of injuries and illness and ways to help wildlife in the community, including during natural disasters.
Easy-to-understand short videos and fact sheets covering commonly treated species will be designed to educate the community on wildlife of the area and build awareness of action community members can take.
The funding will also be used by Byron Bay Wildlife Hospital to deliver work placements for approximately 10 final year student veterinarians and develop online training for general practice veterinary clinics on best practice wildlife handling, triage and wildlife treatment plans.
Based at the nature-based tourism attraction Byron Bay Wildlife Sanctuary in Knockrow, New South Wales, Byron Bay Wildlife Hospital cares for all species of wildlife.
The training and education programs will begin shortly and run until July 2025.
Quotes attributable to Member for Lismore and NSW Parliamentary Secretary for Disaster Recovery Janelle Saffin:
“I lobbied hard to secure this funding for Byron Bay Wildlife Hospital, as did Ballina MP Tamara Smith, and I thank NSW Minister for Environment Penny Sharpe MLC for appreciating the value of these well targeted education and training projects.
“We are fortunate in the Northern Rivers to have a network of specialised wildlife hospitals and dedicated wildlife carer groups, whose important work was put in real perspective during the 2019-2020 Black Summer bushfires.
“I met with Byron Bay Wildlife Hospital representatives this week and I’ll continue to support our wildlife rehabilitation sector which takes such great care of our native animals.”
Quotes attributable to Member for Ballina Tamara Smith:
“I know that this grant will make a big difference to our Wildlife hospital and support their incredible work training wildlife carers and educating the broader community about our extinction crises.
“We welcome this investment in community organisations that are doing the frontline work rescuing and protecting endangered species like our koalas and Swift parrots.”
Quotes attributable to Byron Bay Wildlife Hospital:
“We are grateful to the NSW Government for awarding this grant, which will help us deliver a multi-faceted project supporting the immediate, effective treatment for sick, injured and orphaned wildlife of all species.” (Attributable to: Dr Stephen Van Mil, CEO Byron Bay Wildlife Hospital)
“Educating and engaging the community on practical ways they can care for wildlife helps reduces suffering, facilitates healing, recovery and rehabilitation. We would like the public to be aware of how they can help, and where to go for help if they encounter wildlife in distress.” (Attributable to: Dr Bree Talbot, General Manager Veterinary Services Byron Bay Wildlife Hospital)
“Helping to improve the skills and confidence of general practice vets and nurses in wildlife handling, triage and treatment plans, and train future generations of wildlife veterinarians will also contribute to more positive welfare outcomes for native animals.” (Attributable to: Dr Stephen Van Mil, CEO Byron Bay Wildlife Hospital)
Photo caption: Byron Bay Wildlife Hospital vet Dr Bree Talbot with Aquila, an injured Wedge-tailed Eagle which has since been released back into the wild. Also pictured is fellow vet Dr Chantal Whitten.
