The plight of the Koala

from Rescue & Animal Care - May/June 2021 - Issue 165

Agility A Personal story

CW is now a permanent resident at the Macquarie Koala Rescue Hospital.

Carolyn Thrum explains how the recent drought and summer bushfires have affected the Koala

Hello from Sydney Australia.

I love reading your magazine and thought you might like to learn more about the plight of the koala after the recent drought and summer bushfires. With this in mind I took a 4 hour trip up to the Port Macquarie Koala Rescue Hospital to see how the koalas were rescued and treated there.

I met Evan’s Head CW on my arrival. He was seated on a forked branch in a large open cage. He was originally found walking in circles consistent with being hit by a car. His left eye was removed but he also appeared to have a brain injury so would not survive in the wild and is now a permanent resident.

The koalas are named as they arrive at the hospital. The first name refers to the place they were found so after rehabilitation they can be returned to the same environment. The second name can refer to the person who found the animal or a member of the rescue team.

I was fortunate to meet about 8 koalas during my visit. These are the ones who are long term residents

Maria River Jan, pictured here with Allie, her carer failed when she was released into the bush so lives back at the hospital. She is very spoilt. Here is Barrington Xavier who is very old with worn teeth, a side effect from chewing hard eucalyptus leaves. He dribbles a lot and I noted needed to be encouraged to eat.

and won’t be returned to the wild because of their injuries. Koalas sleep for 18 out of 24 hours a day so I was lucky to visit at feeding time. Huge bunches of freshly picked eucalyptus are brought to the centre daily by volunteers and distributed into vase like containers of water. CW was waiting for the fresh produce and reaching out to the carer for his supply.

During the drought the hospital setup a ‘Go Fund Me’ site hoping to raise enough money to set water stations out in the bush for the native wild life. Following the fires, shortly after, the site exceeded all expectations raising $7 million from around the world. This plus a government contribution has allowed them to plan a new hospital and research facility.

The Koala Hospital in Port Macquarie on the mid eastern coast of New South Wales was established in 1973 by Jean Starr who started caring for sick and injured animals in her own home. Now, as well as rescuing animals it is also a scientific research, training and education centre. The work is carried out by a small number of staff and a large group of volunteers.

The iconic Australian Koala is much loved by people around the world and the mid north coast is home to a significant number of koalas with an estimated population of 15 to 28,000. Unfortunately their numbers are in decline and one causal factor is their loss of habitat. Sadly around 80% of koala habitat has been lost to land clearing and bushfires.

Koalas get their name from an aboriginal word meaning ‘no drink’. It is believed they get all the moisture they need from the leaves they eat and rarely drink water which is why during the drought and bushfires after the moisture had dried from the leaves the koalas were found drinking from dogs’ water bowls in people’s backyards. You may have seen these images as they were beamed around the world.

A 24 hour rescue service is available to respond to calls about sick and injured animals. Approximately 250 koalas are rescued each year. The devastation of the koala population is due to a number of factors…. Chlamydia, dog attacks, car drivers and bushfires.

Chlamydia is the major cause of sickness in koalas and makes up 80% of all admissions to the hospital. It is a sexually transmitted, single cell bacteria that acts as a virus and leads to blindness. The disease can be treated with an antibiotic but as antibiotics kill gut bacteria this spells disaster to a creature that relies on bacteria to break down the strong eucalyptus leaves it needs for life.

As developers move more into koala habitat the animals are subjected to dog attacks. Cars are also responsible for koala deaths and injuries as the animals try to cross busy roads.

By far the largest loss of koala life and injuries was due to the 2020 summer bushfires. The NSW parliament estimated that as many as 5000 koalas were killed, one third of the state population.

In an attempt to regenerate the areas devastated by bushfires the koala hospital has an annual ‘give away’ of 20 saplings from each of the koala’s four favoured species of eucalypt. It is a joint initiative with forestry and the hospital for people to plant on their properties. These trees will then be available in the future for leaf collection as well as providing habitat.

The 24 hour rescue service uses trained rescuers who know how to retrieve an animal from a tree and understand its behaviour. Any orphaned joeys are placed with carers in their homes where they are treated like new born babies until they old enough to go to the hospital for reorientation. Then they are released into the wild.

I feel blessed to have met these lovely animals and their devoted carers and sad as well that this animal is so badly affected by over development.

The Great Horses for Health UK Relay scores with football legends Glenn Hoddle and Rio Ferdinand

Football legends Glenn Hoddle, Rio Ferdinand and Leeds United players Pascal Struijk, Luke Ayling, Mateusz Klich and Tyler Roberts took the time to show support for the The Great Horses for Health UK Relay 2021, along with the riders and horses from West Yorkshire Police at a Leeds United home game at Elland Road on Saturday 8th May.

The UK relay which aims to celebrate how horses can have a positive impact on our mental health and well-being was launched at Wentworth House by kind permission of Sir Phillip Leyland on 2nd May supported by South Yorkshire Mounted Police. The relay moves to North East UK region on Saturday 15th May when the Northumbria Mounted Police Unit are ready to support and will work its way around the UK until ending in Cornwall on 2nd October.

Founder Sophie Gifford said: “The Yorkshire region have really embraced the launch of our UK fundraising relay and shown that the mental health and well-being message has no boundaries. The aim of the Great Horses for Health Relay is already bringing communities together to celebrate the positive power of horses and help raise funds for equine Charities. We are off to a great start to achieve our goals and invite everyone to join our growing list of celebrity and sporting supporters.”

n To find out more about The Great Horse for Health Relay and how you register to take part, please visit www.horses4health.co.uk

We are delighted to support the Animal Charities featured in this Magazine

Every piece of plastic counts!

The problem has become so vast that our oceans currently hold over 150 million tonnes of plastic waste. By 2025, it is expected that there will be one tonne of plastic for every three tonnes of fish! If we continue at this rate, by 2050, there will be MORE plastic than fish!*

Beach cleans are an amazing way to clean up the coastline and remove harmful plastic from the paths of thousands of marine species. They can also help us to: l Reconnect with nature l Spend time with like-minded people who also care about animals and the planet l Get us outside and moving!

We’re calling on YOU to organise or participate in a beach clean for World Animal Day!

Although the problem is vast, it’s important to remember that every piece of plastic you see on a beach is a potential hazard for a sea animal, so every piece you manage to take away could potentially save a life.

By viewing our actions like this, it’s easy to immediately see the positive impacts of our beach cleaning – the more we collect, the more we help (and feel great!).

How do I organise a beach clean?

1. Gather your volunteers Contact family members and friends, or message a local Facebook group or community group to get some willing volunteers together.

It’s up to you how many people you would like to get involved – even a single person’s efforts have a significant impact, so you could go solo! But the more people you get on board, the more hands you have to collect up the rubbish.

2. Pick your beach Choose a beach which has a plastic problem and is accessible to your team. You can also contact the local authorities to let them know of your plan, which may get you more volunteers to add to your team.

If you don’t have a beach to go to, lakes, rivers and streams also face similar issues with plastic pollution, assess if there is another water source you could clean safely.

3. Spread the word! Let others know about your event and inspire people to get involved at their local beaches by posting on social media, and of course, registering your event on the World Animal Day website.

When you upload your event to the World Animal Day website, you can request a FREE 5 x 7 World Animal Day flag!

4. Gear up and clear up Arm yourself with plenty of bags and biodegradable gloves, also make sure to bring a first aid kit to deal with any accidents (rubbish and slippery rocks can be sharp). Also, think about how you will transport the rubbish off the beach and into a safe disposal area where it won’t inadvertently make its way back to the sea.

5. Have fun! Any day on the beach is a fun day! What’s even better is that you’ll be surrounded by people who share your values of saving marine animals and caring for our planet.

n Visit us at www.worldanimalday.org to register your beach cleaning event or find one happening near you!

George on his admission to The Mare and Foal Sanctuary

George and Tomahawk are latest rescues at equine welfare charity

Just one month ago, George and Tomahawk were rescued from a location in Devon where they had been confined to a concrete yard for over a year. Now they’re settling in well at equine welfare charity the Mare and Foal Sanctuary near Newton Abbot, joining over 600 rescued horses and ponies.

George and Tomahawk’s arrival brings the total equines rescued by the Mare and Foal Sanctuary in 2021 to five, or an average of one rescue per month. As the restrictions of the pandemic ease, the charity is relieved that its rehoming scheme can be fully promoted once again - a vital way to create space at its sanctuaries for new rescues.

The charity offers no shame advice and support to horse owners. It is for this reason they were contacted by George and Tomahawk’s owner who had been struggling to provide the level of care these horses needed due to a change in their personal circumstances.

The Mare and Foal Sanctuary’s welfare outreach and advice team found that the Cob and Shetland pony pair had been confined to their yard with just a cattle-shed for shelter. The owner was no longer able to tend to them.

They had various health issues and their routine worming and lice treatments were long-overdue,

Arriving at our veterinary and welfare centre

meaning they were burdened with internal and external parasites.

The charity agreed with the owner that George and Tomahawk’s needs could not be met under the circumstances, so an emergency intervention was taken – bringing great relief to their owner.

The pair arrived at the Mare and Foal Sanctuary’s welfare and veterinary centre in Newton Abbot and both have recently completed their quarantine period. The pair now have a sanctuary for life. 12-year old skewbald Shetland Tomahawk had a history of laminitis and has Equine asthma (RAO). His feet were long and his toes ‘slippered’ and he had thrush in each foot.

George, a 27-year old bay Cob had rubbed his coat where lice had irritated him, he had bilateral hindlimb stiffness and poor grazing ability due to worn incisors.

Welfare advisor Leah Brock was involved in their rescue. She said: “I am pleased the owner had been brave enough to contact us for help and relieved for George and Tomahawk in the cattle-shed

George and Tomahawk. They have a safe and secure future.”

n The charity is asking for donations to support its daily work to provide lifelong care to horses and ponies like George and Tomahawk at www.mareandfoal.org. Alternatively, people able to rehome a rescue horse or pony on a loan basis are encouraged to find out more about its Sanctuary at Home scheme.

A unique and spirited way to discover York: guided pub walks in aid of York charity ‘Keep your pet’ .

At last – you can not only enjoy an evening of pub visits but justify it as a means of raising much-needed funds for York organisation ‘Keep your pet’ (KYP).

For those visiting York for the first time or those who want to learn more about the city from a different perspective, KYP’s guided pub walks with an experienced volunteer provide a unique and fascinating way to discover more about the rich history of York’s beer and pub heritage as well as the centuries of events and people (and spirits) associated with them.

A typical walk includes around 15 establishments and lasts 1.5 - 2 hours. We meet at the junction of College Street and Goodramgate, (outside the National Trust shop). We then venture into the city, stopping outside the various public houses to learn about their beginnings and the roles they played in the historical events of York, as well as seeing other historic buildings & sites along the way.

Tours can be tailored to the specific requirements of a group by including specific pubs or routes through the city. The next walks will take place on: • Saturday 29th May 3pm- 5pm • Friday 4th June 3pm - 5pm • Sunday 13th June 3pm - 5pm • Tuesday 15th June 3pm-5pm • Thursday 24th June 3pm - 5pm

n Cost £6 per person & all proceeds go to Keep Your Pet a local charity scheme unique to York & run by Age UK York. Payments can be made at the start of the tour or through the Age UK York Just Giving page. Participants are asked to have a face covering available. Groups will be limited to 10 (plus the guide) & booking is essential. Book on 07592 547326 or email pubwalks4kyp@outlook.com or visit www.keepyourpet.co.uk

Photo image: ©Adobe Stock stock.adobe.com

We are delighted to support the Animal Charities featured in this Magazine

Ferran Torres, new Champion for Wild at Heart Foundation

Manchester City and Spanish National football star Ferran Torres has joined renowned animal welfare charity Wild at Heart Foundation as Champion ambassador.

Torres is an animal lover - dogs have been a huge part of his life since childhood and he currently has two adopted dogs Minnie and Lluna at his home in Foios, Spain.

Since joining Manchester City and missing his dogs greatly when he’s in England, Torres reached out to Wild at Heart Foundation to see how he could support the charity.

As Champion, Torres will work closely with the Foundation to help raise awareness of the 600 million global stray dog population crisis and support future fundraising campaigns.

Torres said: "Since I was born, I have been surrounded by dogs. I don't remember life without their company. With joy, safety, love and kindness, dogs are capable of transforming a house into a home. I’m happy to be working with Wild at Heart Foundation to help rescue dogs on a global scale.”

Wild at Heart Foundation, founded by Nikki Tibbles in 2015 works all over the world to help end the suffering of stray dogs. With a focus on rehoming, sterilisation, education and raising awareness for urgent causes and issues.

Tibbles commented: “We are thrilled to have Ferran onboard as the charity’s Champion! Not only is he a global star, he is kind and compassionate and clearly cares about animal welfare. As a player for Manchester City and the Spanish National team, he has an international platform which will help us raise awareness of the Foundation to a new audience of football and dog lovers. Together we will make the world a better place.”

Torres is an ambassador for Kick Out Plastic, a charity that aims to reduce single-use plastics and works towards a more sustainable future. Torres has always placed great importance on caring for nature and the environment. He commented: “It’s true that I’ve always loved getting lost in the mountains or taking a quiet walk on the beach with my dogs. It’s my way of disconnecting.”

Kick Out Plastic and Wild at Heart Foundation unite two of the great passions of the Premier League Champion, Carabao Cup and Champions League finalist.

n Ferran Torres is leading the way and calling for his fans to visit https://wildatheartfoundation.org/ to explore the many ways they can help with fundraising and raising awareness of the plight of the stray dog globally.

Alternatively, text TORRES to 70085 to donate £5 to Wild at Heart Foundation.

* Texts cost £5 plus one standard rate message, UK numbers only