In the Media 2006

Wildlife winners in federal budget
18 May 2006
Glasshouse Country News

The surgical, rehabilitation, research and training capacities of the Australian Wildlife Hospital at Beerwah will be greatly expanded with a $2.5 million funding injection from the Australian Government, Federal Member for Longman Mal Brough said today.

A state-of-the-art facility, the hospital provides round-the-clock surgical care and rehabilitation to Australia’s native animals, including a variety of native snake, lizard and bird species, as well as nationally-listed threatened species such as the koala. This vital funding will assist the Australian Wildlife Hospital and Rescue Unit which services an area of more than 100,000 kilometres, to meet the construction costs associated with the expansion of facilities.

The Australian Wildlife Hospital has strong associations with a number of national universities and is passing on its extensive knowledge of native animals and best care practices to veterinary students and wildlife trainees who undertake practical work experience and course work at the Hospital. Staff at the Hospital also conduct ongoing research into wildlife disease and health management, the results of which may in the future be used to further protect our unique and iconic native species.

One of the major functions of the Hospital, which includes an intensive care room, laboratory and holding facilities, is the care and rehabilitation of sick, injured and orphaned koalas and other wildlife resulting in the eventual release of the animals back into the wild.

Almost 70 percent of the Hospital’s patients are victims of car accidents or domestic pet attacks.

The demand for services is rapidly increasing and this funding will go a long way to assist with the construction of new facilities to help meet the growing demand.