Photo credit: Linda Dennis
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OW!! What a response to our first ever issue of our FREE on-line Wildlife Rescue Magazine. These are some of the wonderful comments we have received and keep on receiving: Hello Andrea You have put lots of time & planning into the new magazine. Congratulations. Terri Eather, Wildlife Rescue and Care, QLD Thanks for your wonderful wildlife newsletter, which I have received via Ozark. You've done a great job. And yes, could you please advise me when following editions are available. Val Bonner-Burrowes
Well done lovely people. Your magazine, is transparent and kind. Well done. Stella Reid, Wildhaven, St Andrews, NSW Hi Andrea, please send me future emails for the next issue and so on. A great idea and good stories I will spread the word among the other carers I deal with. Thank you . Shona Ford, Wildlife Carer with Fauna QLD Hi, Just wanted to say your online e magazine is fantastic and look forward to the next one. Regards Richard Browne
Betty Balch – President - Granite Belt Wildlife Carers Inc – QLD Hi Andrea, Just read your wonderful Wildlife Rescue e-magazine – Bravo !! Not only a fabulous concept but so enjoyable to read, looking forward to more ‘editions’. Congratulations on the concept and on the end result, really, really enjoyed it, thankyou so much. Cheers Lesley Cains - Secretary, Springbrook Wildlife Appreciation Group NSW Dear Andrea, I would like to congratulate you on your new Wildlife Magazine! I have been reading through it this morning and really enjoyed the information, especially the articles about the Bandicoots. It is an excellent publication! Kind Regards Lynda Staker - Author and lecturer of macropod husbandry and disease. ('The Complete Guide to the Care of Macropods’)
Hi Andrea, I just wanted to congratulate you on the Tasmania Wildlife Rescue magazine. It's very informative and a very positive way to educate about our precious wildlife and to support wildlife carers. Margaret Warner www.kangaroofootprints.com.au I love your Tas Wildlife Rescue Publication. Well done!
Congratulations on your wonderful publication. Jeff Falconer, President FAWNA WA
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by Margaret Warner Fun puzzles and activities and fascinating facts about Australia’s remarkable kangaroos. 75 pages of information and activities for students aged 7 to 12. Every double page has an information page and an activity page. All pages are photocopy masters for teachers to use with HSIE /SOSE units and include cross curriculum activities. To win a free copy of this book and bookmark – just email in your own wildlife rescue story complete with pictures to: tas.wildlife.rescue@gmail.com www.wildliferescuemagazine.com.au
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Tas Wildlife Rescue Publisher/Advertising 0413 587 613 Email info@taswildliferescue.com.au Website www.wildliferescuemagazine.com.au Tas Wildlife Rescue magazine is published six times per year. Publisher Tas Wildlife Rescue Telephone: 0413 587 613 Website: www.wildliferescuemagazine.com.au Editor Andrea Devos Production Artizen Image Design, Brisbane, Queensland Advertising Tas Wildlife Rescue Telephone: 0413 587 613 Website: www.wildliferescuemagazine.com.au © 2011 The materials in this publication constitute Tas Wildlife Rescue copyright. Unless otherwise indicated, you MAY download the full magazine, store in cache, distribute, display, print and reproduce materials from this magazine in an unaltered form only (retaining this notice and any headers and footers that appear with the original materials) for your personal, noncommercial use or use within your organisation. No part of this publication may be reproduced or reprinted in any form or by any means for Commercial Use without the prior written permission of the publisher. Copyright Act 1968 ©Tas Wildlife Rescue 2011 If you have questions about the use of this magazine or would like to apply for permission to use articles from this magazine for commercial use, please contact: info@taswildliferescue.com.au The intellectual rights in all new material vests in the author or creator of such material. Apart from any use permitted under the Copyright Act, no part of this publication may be reproduced by any process, or any exclusive right exercised, without the written permission of Tas Wildlife Rescue. Authors warrant that they are the owner of all intellectual property rights relating to all material supplied by them, their officers, servants and agents to Tas Wildlife Rescue. Authors hereby indemnify Tas Wildlife Rescue in respect of all actions, proceedings, claims and demands made against Tas Wildlife Rescue by any person arising from the use by Tas Wildlife Rescue of any material submitted to Tas Wildlife Rescue by the authors, their officers, servants and agents for publication in Tas Wildlife Rescue. The articles represent the view of the authors and the editorial represents the view of the editor. Other opinions expressed in this journal are not necessarily those of the Editor or Tas Wildlife Rescue. Please note that the material presented in this ezine has been prepared for the general information of the reader and should not be used or relied upon for specific applications without first securing competent advice. Tas Wildlife Rescue, its members, authors, staff and consultants, do not represent or warrant its suitability for any general or specific use and assume no responsibility of any kind in connection with the information here in. WARRANTY & INDEMNITY – Authors, advertisers and/or advertising agencies upon and by lodging material with the Publisher for publication or authorising or approving of the publication of any material INDEMNIFY the Publisher, its servants and agents, against all liability claims or proceedings whatsoever arising from the publication and without limiting the generality of the foregoing to indemnify each of them in relation to defamation, slander of title, breach of copyright, infringement of trademarks or names of publication titles, unfair competition or trade practices, royalties or violation of right to privacy AND WARRANTY that the material complies with all relevant laws and regulations and that its publication will not give rise to any rights against or liabilities in the Publisher, its servants or agents and in particular that nothing therein is capable of being misleading or deceptive or otherwise in breach of Part V of the Trade Practices Act 1974. ADVERTISING CONDITIONS - See advertising rates available at www.wildliferescuemagazine.com.au
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Foreword from Editor I
n this issue of the Tas Wildlife Rescue Magazine we decided to do some stories and training on a unique type of Australian – the monotremes – in Australia we have two egg laying mammals – the Echidna and the Platypus… You see them on our coins and on our stamps but what really are these animals? This issue will provide details and training on the correct way to handle and care for these amazing creatures. We would like to thank everybody who has donated their time and energy in supplying stories and pictures which again has made this magazine a huge success. We also would like to thank Margaret Warner Author of the ‘Kangaroo Footprints’ book who has generously donated copies of her 75 page book and a lovely silver kangaroo bookmark, for those who supply articles for the next issue of the Tas Wildlife Rescue emagazine (issue 3). Issue 3 will have Tas Wildlife Rescue Magazine
the theme of Amphibians and Reptiles. You can visit her website www.kangaroofootprints.com.au We have also made some changes in the structure of the magazine’s advertising. As promised all Tasmanian Wildlife Carers, Sanctuaries, Parks, Organisations are welcome to submit ads for their products in the magazine for free – provided they agree to supplying a link for us from their website. This will help us grow and boost us up on Google’s ratings so we can be found and it can be a way for you to show your appreciation, we are happy to do reciprocal links so let us know you have done it so we can support you too. For all of the Australian States and Territories we invite you to send in stories for the magazine (we will place a small free editorial at the end of your article with live links to your website absolutely free). A thank-you gift of a book provided for that issue will also be sent to you. However, we ask please that if you wish to place an ad (all classified ads are still made up for you free of charge just send your pics and wording
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to us) you pay a small fee of $25 to help support us and you put on your website a link to our magazine. However if you are willing to place information about us in your newsletter (we can provide wording of up to 50 words) then you need not pay the $25 the ad will then be free – you must include our email address andrea@taswildliferescue.com.au in your newsletter mail-out. Quarter page, half page and full page ads are also available (we make your ad free, just send us wording and pics). Contact Andrea today andrea@taswildliferescue.com.au As promised we are so pleased to be able to send out the thank-you gift of the book called Rescued to these people and organisations who provided stories in issue 2 of the magazine. We would like to thank Jodie Blackney author of the Rescued book for donating these issues to us for this purpose. Her book can be purchased through us as a fundraiser to raise money for wildlife carers – send us an email at andrea@taswildliferescue.com.au • Trish Mathers – Wildlife Carer QLD
Andrea Devos • Donna Anthony - WILVOS - QLD • Stella Reid – Wildhaven, St Andrews - NSW • Terri Eather – Wildlife Rescue and Care – QLD • Robert Peters – Wildlife Carer – • Bev Langley – Minton Farm Animal Rescue Centre – SA We would like to thank a variety of organisations and people for supporting us with photos as well. • Michelle Manhal from Eaglehawk Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre www.eagle-hawk.org.au • Linda Dennis from Fourth Crossing Wildlife www.fourthcrossingwildlife.org.au And a special thank-you to Dr Peggy Resmiller for her support and extensive information made available to Tas Wildlife Rescue magazine on the Echidna.
Send in your story and receive a free Kangaroo Footprints book and silver bookmark!! Email to: andrea@taswildliferescue.com.au Page 3
Contents 07 Cecilia’s Story Terri Eather
30 We Didn’t Give Up on our Tawny Frogmouth
64 Platypus Rescue Karl Mathieson
Robert Peters FEATURE STORY
FEATURE STORY
11 The Echidna
32 The Platypus
Andrea Devos
Andrea Devos
FEATURE STORY
66 Rare Gouldian Finch Found WWF Australia
22 Amazing Feathertails Donna Anthony
PHOTO ESSAY
44 Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary
77 Painting Badger Creek Liz Cogley
Andrea Devos
24 Tiny the Planigale Trish Mathers
RESIDENT VET
57 Ask Colette Vet Colette Harmsen
25 A Blue of a Tale
58 Funnies Section
Glen Burston
28 Wilma of Minton Farm
78 The Devil’s Playground Andrea Devos
80 Fawna WA Jeff Falconer
61 Platypus in Care Wildlife Mountain
82 Reptile Rescue Andrea Devos
Bev Langley
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Echidna and Quoll drawings for sale
Beautiful A4 size prints (210x297mm) available for only $22.95 each including postage 10% of profits will go towards milk formula for wildlife carers animals in need. To order, contact: andrea@taswildliferescue.com.au
Free Teats for Wildlife Carers Anne-Marie Dineen from Oakview Nature Refuge in Queensland is giving away 15 packs of two teats to help support wildlife carers. If you email your name and address and a short note about why you need the teats – e.g. We need some wombat teats for a 2 month old wombat who has come into our care because its mother was hit by a car. She can send you out a pack specific to your animal’s needs. For a free packet of teats please email anmacropod@bigpond.com (Please note that I too am a wildlife carer and use the money raised from the sale of the teats to help to purchase milk supplements etc for my own babies in care.) I hope that you will support me in the future after receiving your free pack.
Cecilia’s Story
Terri Eather
O
n 18th February 2006, baby Cecilia, brushtail possum, came into care as a 37g (approx 70 days old) pinkie after her mother was mauled by a dog. Our “guidelines” for raising a viable brushie is minimum 50g... but I am known for stretching the “guide lines” just a little bit, once in a while. With the blessing of having a 1977 humidi-crib and able to survive for weeks with very little interrupted sleep, I began the joy of feeding Cecilia every 2 hours around the clock with a very tiny syringe teat. She prospered and blossomed beautifully until she became 300 grams
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Tas Wildlife Rescue Magazine
recovery stage. Dr Che said it would still be touchy for the next 10 days. Cecilia had two layers of internal stitches and then staples. Dr Che also commented that Cecilia was very plump and that suturing her was like sewing up a fat little puppy. Cecilia has since been soft released. She hasn’t left home completely (sometimes sleeping in the roof cavity) and still thinks she should be able to kiss me and that she should get cuddles. She has also been known to come inside via the open laundry door… looking for ‘Mum” and I wake up at 3am with a possum licking my nose. It is only a matter of time before she has a little bulge at the base of her scar. If her pouch was ‘damaged’ during surgery I have told Dr Che that she will have to do plastic surgery to repair it. I can’t thank the Australia Wildlife Hospital enough for the great care and compassion they offer to our wonderful unique wildlife. I love driving all the way up there to have the staff be cheeky to me, but would prefer if I didn’t have to make as many trips as I do (for the wildlife’s sake). UPDATE: Cecilia's pouch was not damaged – she still comes to visit, with her own babies to show me. Send in your story and receive a free Kangaroo Footprints book!! Email to: andrea@taswildliferescue.com.au
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VO TE
(approx 135 days old) when she started having diarrhea. Three trips up to the Australian Wildlife Hospital, Steve Irwin’s Australia Zoo, Beerwah, Qld (1.5 hours north of home) and the doctors could not find anything wrong. Cultures sent to pathology and still nothing. Then early one morning (2:30am) Cecilia’s stomach was distended and swollen, about the size of a grapefruit full of gas. Fearing the worst, I pictured Gail having to talk me through placing a needle in her abdomen and sucking out the air. We waited until 6:30am then headed (well low flying really) to the hospital and arrived at 7:30am. Dr Che preformed yet another consultation on Cecilia and diagnosed possible twist in mesentery & enteritis, especially in caecum (similar to an appendicitis in humans with twists in the bowel). Then she broke me the good news... “we have not had a very good success rate with surgery treating the problem”. Through numerous tears (my nick name is ‘Niagara Falls’... the tears gush) I said “let’s go ahead and operate”. So Dr Che, Nurse Kia and I prepared for the surgery. It was my job to monitor her heart and breathing. We all masked up and were ready to go. Surgery seemed to take for ever, Kia kept telling me to stop sniffing and my paper mask was falling apart. But we all made it through to the
Did you love this story – go to page 65 to vote for your favourite story – the winner will receive a wonderful book called 'Puggle' by Catriona Hoy
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A Kanga A Day A Kanga a Day - Day 1080 January 2012 One of Stella and Alan’s boys – Ozzie – resting in comfort in Wildhaven’s wonderful new nursery. Photo by Brett Clifton
RECEIVE DAILY PICS AND STORIES LIKE THIS ONE Sign up to receive a free daily picture of Brett Clifton’s beautiful Eastern Grey Kangaroos also known as Forester Kangaroos in Tasmania. Email to brett@brettclifton.com
Traditional Greeting Cards
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C0910 Aussie birds
C1017 Monarch butterfly
C1054 Moonglow butterfly
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To order please email andrea@taswildliferescue.com.au
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The Echidna
Andrea Devos The taxonomic family name for Echidna – Taschyglossidae - means “fast tongue”.
T
he echidna is an extremely secretive animal, they are extremely sensitive to vibrations on the ground. Echidnas have a domed shaped back with short stubby tail, no obvious neck, and a flat belly. Back and sides are covered with spines of varying sizes and lengths. The Echidna is easily recognisable by the covering of spines across its body which is a safety mechanism for the animal. These spines are yellow/golden with a black/brown tip. Between the spines is soft hair, longer in cooler climates and shorter in warmer areas. (In Tasmania the fur sometimes obscures the spines). Echidnas have five toes on both the front and hind limbs, on the hind limbs they have 2-3 grooming claws (depending on the species). The pads of the front feet are full and firm in healthy animals. They contain mechanoreceptors that pick up vibrations from crunching feet, breaking vegetation and probably food sources. Tas Wildlife Rescue Magazine
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pouch. Both males and females can retain or lose the spur on the hind foot. Size and weight of an animal is not an indication of gender. The male echidna does not use the penis for urination. It is located internally and is only outside of the body when used for copulation. Until a male echidna has reached sexual maturity it can be extremely difficult to find evidence of the penis. However it is not impossible because a mature Echidna can be palpated, especially during the courtship and breeding season. (See extract on next page.) The echidna has small external The front foot has five toes the same as the hind foot but is without the grooming claws. This echidna is healthy because of its fat pads under its feet.
Back Foot notice the long grooming claws
The Echidnas snout is between 7 and 8cm long and is stiffened to enable the animal to break up logs and termite mounds when searching for food, they are key cultivators who enhance soil aeration, moisture penetration, nutrient mixing, seed dispersal and spread of mycorrhizae, there tongue is around 18cm long. Adult Echidna vary in size from 30 53cm, with males weighing 6kg and females 4.5kg. Echidnas can live for more than 50 years. You cannot sex an Echidna simply by looking at the animal. There are no external genitals. Both males and females can form a Tas Wildlife Rescue Magazine
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eyes, but sense of sight is highly developed. They quickly recognise human shape so it is best to sit or kneel in order to break up the normal towering human silhouette. When threatened the Echidna can dig very quickly and bury themselves in the soil, or curl into a tight ball with its snout and legs tucked beneath it and raise its spines, or quills so that it cannot be handled easily. The Echidna can be found throughout all of Australia where ever there are ants or termites present, as this is their main diet source. The Echidna has no teeth, but a very long tongue, which extends into ant mounds. Its tongue is coated with a sticky saliva substance which the ants stick to. Dirt and ant nest material is also ingested. The Echidna is a solitary animal not territorial but occupying overlapping ranges, there home range can be in excess of 250 hectares depending on food availability and habitat. They do not have fixed nest sites. Nests are only used for incubating and suckling the young, which are called Puggles. Normal shelter is under thick bushes, hollow logs and other debris, and the Echidna will often use rabbit and wombat burrows as well. During extreme weather such as intense heat, the Echidna will shelter for most of the day, and will forage at night. In cold Page 12
Sexing an Adult Echidna using Palpitaion (extract from Biology Rescue and Rehab of Short-Beaked Echidnas by Peggy Resmiller Environmental Physiologist, Echidna Researcher, SA) Because I have handled hundreds of animals in the past 20+ years I have learned to feel or palpate for the penis in order to determine gender of adult echidnas. Simply stated, palpating an echidna to determine gender requires practice. Given the opportunity, it is worth a 'feel' to gain experience. The recommended procedure for palpating is as follows: 1. Place the echidna on its back on top of several folded hessian bags or other padding. 2. Gently uncurl the tail and place hand between the tail and belly. 3. With one or two fingers gently probe the contracted stomach muscles anterior to the epipubic bones and within the ventral region of the pelvis adjacent to the cloaca. In adult males. Presence of a penis can be felt within the body next to the cloacal opening. During the breeding season, the penis often protrudes from the cloaca during palpation. Remember, the male echidna does not use the penis
for urination. In subadults, ie not sexually mature individuals, the penis may not be detected because it is still an undeveloped organ. In a female, the epipubic bones are clearly discernible (after practice) when palpating. We have used the palpation method for sexing adult echidnas for many years. Monitoring known individuals over periods has proven that initial determination of gender was accurate. NOTE: It is not necessary and we do not anaesthetise echidnas for these examinations. Using presence of a pouch to determine gender is not reliable. Both males and females can form a superficial pouch by contracting the longitudinal muscles on the belly. Lactating females have enlarged mammary glands that form the prominent pouch while carrying young. After the young is in the burrow, the obvious pouch regresses but swollen mammary tissue remained.
weather, as seen in the Snowy Mountain region of NSW, the Echidna will hibernate. The Echidna can be found throughout all of mainland Australia and Tasmania. The Echidna and Platypus are the only Australian marsupials that lay The Female Echidna's Pouch, notice the swollen mammary glands, this holds the puggle in the pouch – Photographed by Andrea Devos Tas Wildlife Rescue Magazine
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An Echidna skeleton. This skeleton was most likely put together in a museum, the tibia and foot of the hind leg are rotated in the incorrect position (thanks to Peggy Rismiller for seeing this). Photo credit Wikipedia
eggs and not live young. Egg-laying mammals are called monotremes. There are only three kinds of monotremes in the world: the long-beaked echidna (three species – all residing in New Guinea), shortbeaked Echidna (found throughout Australia in all climatic conditions and ecosystems within the Australian bioregion)), and the duck-billed platypus (found only in certain places in Australia) Normally a solitary animal, sexual maturity for a make is reached between seven to twelve years of age, for a female it is earlier and can produce her first young at five or seven years of age. During mating times it is
not unusual to see a female Echidna have a train of males - head to toe following her – up to 11 males have been seen making this train. Courtship trains can last between 2 and 60 days. Echidna breeding period is between late June and Early September. Echidna copulation lasts between thirty minutes to two hours. There are no verified methods of ageing adult Echidnas. However with Puggles, there are two distinct stages in the life of an Echidna from the hatching to weaning. 1. POUCH LIFE: for approximately the first 50 days the puggle lives in the mother’s pouch. Page 13
2.
BURROW LIFE: From about 50 to 120 days of age (about 30 weeks) the young lives in a burrow. After weaning the young is independent. There is no parental guidance or contact with other Echidnas after weaning…until sexual maturity is reached. POUCH LIFE Pouch young can be divided into two further stages. 1. From hatching up to approx 12 days of age when the young is moist. Shiny and lives in a humid pouch. 2. From 12 days onward when the pouch is dry. The female Echidna lays a single, leathery egg the size of a grape every breeding cycle, their breeding cycle is individualistic – it can be as infrequent as once every five years where a male Echidna can be sexually active each year. The mother Echidna then rolls the newly laid egg into a deep pocket or pouch located on her belly - to keep the egg safe, which is then incubated, the pocket/pouch is really more like a fold of skin over the abdomen area which is closed with contracting muscles. The newborn is called a Puggle, it is hatched around 10 to 11 days later and is less than 1.3cm long and around 0.3 of a gram, smaller than the size of a jellybean! Luckily for the mother the Tas Wildlife Rescue Magazine
Echidna egg the size of a grape. Credits: www.arkive.org
puggle is not born with spines, instead it is a tiny mass of pink flesh. The puggle uses its tiny, see-through claws to grip the special hairs within the mother's pouch. The mother does not have nipples the way other mammals do. Instead, the little puggle will suck at milk that is excreted from special glands on her skin in her mother's pouch. The puggle is carried in the pouch for about 53 days when its spines begin to break through. At this stage the mother leaves it in a nursery burrow and the puggle is left alone, the mother blocks up the entrance to the burrow to stop the puggle crawling out. Temperature in the burrow is 15 - 21°C. The mother returns every 5-6 days and feeds 40% of the baby’s bodyweight in one feed, so a
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Echidna baby just born from the egg. Pink blind and totally reliant on its mother. Credit: www.arkive.org
new baby in care may not need feeding immediately. All echidnas, and especially immature puggles, suffer heat stress and overheat rapidly, so they should be kept in a semi-torpid state. The young Echidna leaves the burrow at around 6-7 months of age weighing approximately 1 to 2 kilograms and is weaned approximately 4 weeks later. If you see an echidna and it is not injured or in danger then leave it alone. Remember: Echidnas are a protected species in all states and territories. If the echidna is in danger, ie on a road or being threatened by a predator, move it away. Only authorised wildlife carers or researchers with permits are allowed Credits: http://www.telegraph.co.uk Page 14
an amazing sense of smell, therefore if needing to capture an echidna you must approach it from down wind so it cannot smell you. It was once believed that Echidnas had extremely poor eyesight, however, latest findings show the exact opposite is true. When picking up or handling an echidna it is best not to wear gloves. Bare hands allow greater sensitivity to Photo by Helen Taylor the animal’s responses. Never use a shovel or try to force an echidna out of to pick up an echidna for transport or hiding with high pressure water or rescue. pointed implements, this could injure When Echidnas wake from the animal. hibernation they often become The best way to capture an disorientated. Many have been found Echidna is to tickle its side at the back under carports with a brick wall and of the Echidna's body – the echidna concrete. All they need is to be turned will roll that way showing his opposite around and headed back in the right back foot, which can then be lifted up direction. Most have wandered in from and you can put your hand underneath local parks or scrub. the echidna's soft Never remove a tummy, it will then curl healthy echidna from TIP: itself around your hand the area in which it is Never house an Echidna in a and you will be found. It could be a cardboard box, styrofoam esky or female echidna with a wooden crate as they can scratch protected from the spines (this is puggle in a burrow their way out of it. considered the gentlest nearby. If you take the way to catch an echidna mother away to relocate and provides the less amount of stress in another area her baby will starve to on the animal.) It also protects a death. Echidnas have also been known puggle if one is there. to try and find their way back home. In extreme measures when an They then face the risk of having to Echidna is injured and needs rescuing cross roads and being hit by cars. ONLY - this method has had good An echidna does not have ear results, although I personally feel it flaps like we do. Its ears are large, causes undue stress on the animal - if vertical slits just behind its eyes. It has Tas Wildlife Rescue Magazine
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an echidna is injured and needs rescuing and you are unable to pick it up due to it digging itself into the ground, use a fine spray mist bottle to wet it's head. You will find the echidna will automatically loosen it's grip in the soil, even throwing it's legs out, enabling you to pick it up. If an echidna is on a flat hard surface – like a road or concrete, it is often impossible to slip a hand under the animal to pick it up. The rubber mat from the car, an old coat or even a towel folded over a few times can help. Wedge the mat, coat or whatever you have as far under the echidna as
possible. This usually moves the animal enough to stop the vacuum like seal it has on the surface, then gently roll the Echidna onto the mat, coat or towel to be safely bagged. To bag an echidna a suggestion is to put it in a hessian bag (potatoes used to come in hessian bags in the old days). Hessian bags are also used for dog beds – if you ask around you can find them. Also used are cotton pillow cases – you can put a cotton pillowcase inside a cotton pillowcase. Following is an excerpt taken from the book 'In The Wild' with Harry Butler.
In the Wild with Harry Butler slurp! Seven inches of instant death goes There's something else that's not a bird, up the tunnel and zaps the termites. He eats though it does lay eggs. It's something about three or four thousand of them in a special – probably the most primitive day. mammal in the world, except for the His back claw is very long for obvious platypus. It's the Echidna or Spiny Anteater. reasons: how do you scratch yourself if you As soon as it sees me he goes into his get an itch under all those prickles? That defensive position – but the poor fellow's long claw is for getting in among the spines got one problem: his hind claws are so well and having a good old scratch, because he developed for digging that one has to stick gets ticks and lice the same as other things out. If you touch one it retreats, but the do in the bush. other one has to poke out, so you can get a He's threatened by one of our introduced grip on him. It's the one weakness in his animals, the fox, who's learned a way to protection against foxes and dingoes and handle Echidnas. The fox comes along, the other predators. Echidna sees him and rolls up in a tight ball. He has a lovely long nose and seven inches The fox will roll him with his nose to a pool of tongue. He's out hunting for termites: of water, if there's one handy, and as soon most mammals here come out at night, but as he hits the water the Echidna unrolls to this one's an exception. He comes out in start swimming and – zap! The fox has got the afternoon and goes termite-hunting, him, because the belly underneath is soft scuffling around in the bushes looking for and unprotected. termites which live just under the surface. He digs with his powerful claws and then... Page 15
Photos by Terri Eather
Echidnas can be housed in a large heavy duty plastic stacker box (65 x 42 x 38cm) with a secure lid (clips on one side and has a hole for a bolt and wing nut on the other side), or an esky with holes in the lid. Some carers will put shredded paper in so the Echidna can nestle into it – DO NOT DO THIS – the rustle of the paper is not natural and stresses the Echidna. Tas Wildlife Rescue Magazine
Instead place one third of leaf litter and soil in the box for the animal to dig into. No artificial heat must be added and in very hot weather it may be necessary to use ice bricks on the lid to maintain a low temperature. Ideally, a thermometer placed deep in the esky can be used to check that the temperature is maintained ideally between 19-23°C. If the temperature goes over 33°C for more than five
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minutes and the Echidna cannot escape from a hot area, the animal will start to heat stress and can die. Never place a rescued Echidna in direct sun. Remember keep it cool, It is not unusual for a traumatized Echidna to go into torpor. The animal will stay in the esky until approx six months old, when the quills will be approx 2cm long. Short exercises can be given in a confined indoor area, eventually progressing to a daily run on soil in a secure aviary. If you are hand-rearing a puggle, keeping records of body weight before and after feeding will help you gage the growth progress of the young. Remember to note the date first. If you have a stopwatch, you may want to keep track of how fast the young suckles. You can do this by counting the suckles per minute. HOW TO MEASURE THE LENGTH OF YOUR PUGGLE? The length of the young can be measured using soft string with a knot on one end and a sliding flag made of masking tape or a piece of blue tac at the other end, Place the knot at the tip of th snout and length with your flag or blue tac and put string down to measure against a ruler or tape measure later. Record the date that the eyes and ears open. Taking photos and dating them is a great way to keep a visual record of your puggle’s progress.
FEEDING YOUR YOUNG PUGGLE As suggested by Peggy Rismiller in her book “Biology Rescue and Rehab of Short-Beaked Echidnas” Weigh the baby both before and after each feed so you can ascertain how much formula your puggle has drunk. Ten minutes prior to feeding, the puggle is warmed in the carer’s hand until it becomes quite active, it may ‘play’ or wiggle around a bit before it is ready to feed. Your puggle urinates and defecates WITHOUT stimulation (remember – echidnas are different from marsupials.) At all times avoid very bright lights with your puggle as they are always in the dark in their ‘burrow’. If a puggle has defecated and is pooey, wash with squirt bottle and dry before starting to feed (the mother would lick the young clean) Have a towel handy and place on lap. Place young in ‘sitting position’ on lap against one leg so that it does not roll backwards. The young will curl around your hand. Young puggles are constantly flexing their fore paws, feeling for hair or another purchase. When settled in, they will grip your hand or try to keep contact. Use syringe or eye dropper to dribble a small amount of milk into Page 16
Whilst no artificial formula adequately mimics the natural diet, three formulae are: Di-Vetelact 1 scoop to 50mL water plus 2.5mL of cream and 2.5mL of olive oil. (The addition of the cream and olive oil increases the fat levels to simulate mother’s milk.) Feed once a day at 15-20% of body weight. Wombaroo Echidna Milk Replacer There are instructions on the packet and the amount fed once a day, calculated on the animal’s weight. Digestelact Dr Peggy Rismiller has these two recipes: Pouch Young Formula (under 45 days or under 140g) 50mL warm water ½ scoop (4g) low lactose formula (Digestelact) ½ teaspoon skim milk 2ml canola oil small egg yolk Mix Digestelact and warm water in saucepan, add canola oil and egg yolk, stir over low heat until blended, pour in bowl and if necessary float bowl in hot water to keep warm. Ready to feed puggle Use clean syringe (1,2 or 5mL) FORMULA SHOULD BE HAND WARM, NOT HOT OR COLD.
WAYS TO GIVE MILK TO A PUGGLE Suggested by local wildlife carers
Burrow Young Formula (over 45 days or over 150g) 100mL warm water 2 scoops (16g) low lactose formula (Deigestelact) 2 level teaspoons pure protein powder (e.g. skim milk powder) (1 level teaspoon = 2g) 20mL canola oil 1 egg yolk Mix as for Pouch Young formula. Do not keep left-over formula for more than a day and refrigerate if keeping overnight. Amount of food and formula will need to be increased as puggle grows. Increase 1: 125mL water 2 heaped scoops – low lactose formula (heaped scoop = 11g) 2 heaped teaspoons skim milk powder 30mL canola oil 2 egg yolks Mix as above but warm until slightly thick (consistency of thickened cream) Increase 2: 150mL water 3 heaped scoops low lactose formula (33g) 3 heaped teaspoons skim milk powder 60mL canola oil 3 egg yolks Mix as above but warm until slightly thick (consistency of thickened cream)
Very Young Puggles: Fill a sponge with warm milk, place a teatowel over sponge and gently squeeze the back of the sponge so it soaks through the tea towel to the baby who will lick and suck the milk. Patience is needed as a Puggle can take up to an hour to feed properly, keep milk warm by placing container in hot water. Using a syringe, continue to add warm milk to the front of the sponge so the baby is sucking only the warm milk. The baby will consume 3-5mL per feed and then will take up to 48 hours before needing to be fed again. Some carers use only the tea towel and do not use the sponge at all, they dip the teatowel in the milk (whatever works best for you). Older Puggles: Encourage young to suck milk from your cupped hand, notice the word suck – the puggle does not lick while it is young – it will suck the milk out of the crevice of your hand and it can suck so hard that you can feel bruised. The pouch young holds onto the hairs of the mother’s pouch and suckles in a position we would consider ‘upside down’. Burrow young also suckle ‘upwards’ while the mother stands over the young or lies on her side. Small burrow young echidnas (170-250g at 50 days of age) should gain at least 5-10g between feeds – if the young has not gained weight or has gained less than 10g after two consecutive feeds, the formula will either need to be increased or changed.
Nestling Echidnas only require milk once every 48 hours. A puggle fat from a good feed. Source: perthzoo.wa.gov.au / via: zooborns.com
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will be exactly the same. Expect the unexpected and stay calm. At 500gm body weight, two parts adult meat mix can be added to seven parts milk formula and offered from a bowl. Gradually increase the meat mix and reduce the amount of
milk until fully weaned onto adult diet. Natural food for adult Echidnas are: ants, termites and also a large variety of invertebrates including grubs, worms, nematodes, soft bodied insects, ticks, beetles, invertebrate eggs, insect larvae, carrion insects and
How to make a sustainable enclosure for an Echidna? Baby echidna currently in care with WIRES. Photo by Alicia Carter
Baby echidna licking milk from the hand. Credit: Wiresnr.org
the cupped hand. The puggle will suckle the milk from the folds in the hand. It suckles using a strong ‘stripping action.’ You may find the pressure exerted to be greater than you would expect. During a normal feeding period, they may exert enough pressure to tire your palm muscles or even bruise your palm! Once the young starts feeding, it will continue at a steady rate, sometimes pausing about half way through (in the wild, they usually change to the other milk patch). You will feel the young ‘expanding’ while it feeds. When full, it will remind you of a highly inflated balloon. During the first couple of weeks, offer food until it is all gone or until the young stops feeding by itself (they often fall asleep) As the baby gets older and you wish to use a dish eg saucer or eggcup, ensure that the baby’s nostrils do not become submerged in the milk. At this
stage, the faeces should be soft yellowy-brown pasty pellets, and remember no toileting is necessary. After feeding – use a squirt bottle with warm water to wash away excess milk and then pat dry. The expected weight gains below must be taken into account when hand raising. But remember NO two hand rearings
Tas Wildlife Rescue Magazine
Echidna Statistics Gestation -23 days Incubation - 10½ days Hatchling 300mg 2 days 1g 11 days 9g – hind leg development and beak pigmentation. 22 days 50g – claws developed. 30 days – light fuzz appears on body 50-60 days – spines erupt and body starts to change colour. During this time the eyes open. Temperature in the burrow is 15°C The mother returns every 5-6 days and feeds 40% of the baby’s bodyweight in one feed.
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As Echidnas are great climbers, the sides of the enclosure need to be high and smooth – sheets of tin are perfect. The floor of the enclosure can be lined with heavy-duty wire mesh below ground level and then covered with soil or leaf litter. The leaf litter and soil need to be replaced daily. For a more permanent enclosure great success has been found by putting a foot of cement on both sides of the tin sheeting. (This type of enclosure can also be used for wombats.) Put in the enclosure rotting logs (full of termites) and ant mounds – to collect an ant mound , place into a large bucket and turn it upside down onto a rotting log or directly onto the ground – leave in place for a couple of days and the ants will continue to build their nest downwards – create a permanent ant mound in the pen, this should be done days/weeks before the echidna is due to be released in a pen – you can have 4 buckets going at a time, just lift off a bucket every couple of days(sometimes the echidna will beat you to it). These mounds can also be placed on top of rotting logs. Remember an Echidna will eat 3000-4000 ants/termites per day. To keep up with supply is very demanding, you can supplement their natural foods with a mix you can get from Wombaroo – called Wombaroo Small
Carnivore Food. This must be mixed with water and with dirt from termite mounds until it is moist and crumbly. Fresh water must be available daily. Air temperature must be monitored and kept below 25°C – this can be sustained by placing the Echidna enclosures half under the shade of a heavily leafed tree. Echidnas can swim so having a form of pond in the shade will help cool an Echidna in summer. Having logs in the enclosure with home made burrows/dens allows them to go underground to get out of the heat, as Echidna's are sensitive to extreme weather conditions – hibernating in cold weather and avoiding the heat by foraging in the late afternoon right into the night.
Credits: Ark Animal Hospital
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other cryptic invertebrates. Individual Echidnas show individual food preferences. Echidnas drink fresh water daily. When they eat ants and termites they ingest soil and nest material in the process. For an adult Echidna in care you can feed them Wombaroo Small Carnivore Food mixed with water and soil from an ants nest until food becomes moist and crumbly. Once Echidnas become juvenile (between 6-7 months old) they can be housed in an outside enclosure. Echidnas are great escape artists and will escape through burrowing or even scale wire fences. Because they can climb up wire fencing, never put an echidna into an aviary or cage. As they climb the wire they can damage their snouts. Tas Wildlife Rescue Magazine
Puggle is based on a visit to the home of some wildlife carers in coastal NSW. Their home was amazing, full of all kinds of native wildlife being nursed back to health. I was introduced to ‘Puggle’ a baby echidna, who was helpless and blind, as his mother had been killed in a road accident. Baby animals need special care and diet. These specially trained animal carers were able to bring Puggle up and teach him how to look after himself, so one day he could return to the bush. When I began writing Puggle’s story I started finding out all sorts of interesting facts about echidnas, some of which are included on the end papers of my book. Puggle, the book, was launched by Adriana Simmonds, the education officer from Wildlife Victoria, with much love.
Photo credit: Karen Scott
Many thanks to everyone who provided photos and to Fourth Crossing Wildlife for photos and info. The majority of this article came from the book by Dr Peggy Resmiller “Biology Rescue and Rehabilitation of ShortBeaked Echidnas”. Thank you Dr Peggy Resmiller for allowing us to utilise this great source.
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Book review by Trevor Cairney It's harder to find science and technology books for preschoolers but there are some good ones around. Puggle (2009) by Catriona Hoy and Andrew Plant (Illustrator) - This story was stimulated by a visit by Catriona to the home of wildlife carers and a 'real life' orphaned echidna. The book tells the story of a baby echidna named Puggle who is taken to an animal refuge after his mother is hit by a car. The book traces Puggle's slow development from being helpless to being independent. It shows how it learns to suckle, how its body changes, being released into the wild. While the book is in a narrative form it communicates factual information about echidnas and has additional factual information on the end papers.
Book review by Dale Harcombe Puggle By Catriona Hoy and Andrew Plant This picture book is charmingly and simply told. You can almost imagine you are there with the hurt animals. It gives an account of the help offered by carers and places like WIRES. Although Puggle, an orphaned echidna, is the main character it’s not just about Puggle, there’s a magpie, a wallaby, a koala, a possum and several snakes. The devotion of Sue the carer is evident and the story is told in a gentle way, but with little repetitive refrain like ‘smelled very, very good.’ This is one of those books teachers will use for many and varied lessons and could lead to further discussion about how to care for injured wildlife. All in all, it’s a charming picture book and would be a worthy addition to any home or school library.
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Bruce Bain
Photography These wonderful photographs and many others are available online from Bruce Bain Photography. Please enjoy the full range at http://brucebainphotography.com.au/ Or contact Bruce directly at: Email: brucebain@activ8.net.au Phone: 03 6397 8363 PRINT SIZES AND PRICES (Australian dollars including GST) 150mm x 200mm (6” x 8”) $15.00 Postage within Australia $5.00 200mm x 250mm (8” x 10”) A4 $25.00 Postage within Australia $5.00 300mm x 420mm (12” x 16.5”) A3 $50.00 Postage within Australia $10.00 610mm x 910mm (24” x 36’’) $175.00 Postage within Australia $15.00 Your choice of gloss or semi-gloss (matte) photo paper Postage discounts apply for multiple purchases Photographs can be delivered anywhere in the world, please contact Bruce for quote.
While walking around in the bush I came across this echidna feeding on ant nests. I followed it quietly for about an hour photographing and watching it feeding. Echidnas have spines that cover the top of its body. They have long sharp claws on their feet, which they use to dig out ant nests. Their long nose is very sensitive and they use this to find food. The echidna uses its long sticky tongue to catch ants,worms,termites and other small invertebrates. Echidnas prefer to feed early in the mornings and late afternoons.
All prints can be matted in a range of colours, with single or double mats available. Matting will be cut to suit your choice of frame. Frame mouldings available in Tasmanian timbers – Blackwood / Celerytop Pine / Tasmanian Oak / Myrtle / Sassafras. Other mouldings (timber framing) also available. Contact Bruce directly for price on matting and framing of images. CANVAS SIZES AND PRICES (Australian dollars including GST) Small 220mm x 350mm (9” x 14”) $80.00 Medium 340mm x 530mm (13” x 21”) $130.00 Large 470mm x 720mm (19” x 28” ) $200.00 For price of postage of canvas please contact Bruce. Canvases can be delivered anywhere in the world, please contact Bruce for quote. GREETING CARDS (Australian dollars including GST) Greeting cards $4.00 EACH (includes postage) PAYMENT METHODS • Direct deposit (email Bruce direct for details) • Cheque • PayPal
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n rd us yo n a busi er ca ges. d p n ) e T g i S des chan c GS .au com 66 (in roofs or . $ e u y l c p n s ifere For o including wildl aterial. s a t rea@ our m il and ith all y a m w E
Amazing Feathertails
Donna Anthony
A
s a wildlife carer I have always been fascinated by feathertail gliders. How they manage to survive out there in the wild is astonishing. Recently, I had a mother and three young brought to me. Apparently there were four but the people ‘lost’ one when removing them from the powerbox during a house demolition! When I received them the mother was only 8 grams and the joeys weighed approximately 1 gram each. Completely pink, they looked so defenceless in the box with mum, but they weren’t going to fit in that pouch! Mother was ravenous and ate well once her nest was installed in a secure ‘well furnished’ cage. I was worried about how the stress would effect her, but didn’t want to put her out in an unfamiliar environment with those vulnerable young. (Going back to the area she came from was not an option at that time.) I was between a ‘rock and a hard place’ on what decision to make. The stormy days convinced me that they would have to stay in captivity for the moment.
©2012 Annie Carston Tas Wildlife Rescue Magazine
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the first time I have witnessed little pinkie feathertails outside the pouch drinking off Mum. I feel very privileged. Donna Anthony is a Wildlife Volunteer for WILVOS
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I monitored the young and felt that they were not getting enough milk, possible due to the stress of captivity on the mother. They seemed to slobber all around her rear end! I have been supplementing them three times a day with extra milk – those tiny tongues just come out and draw up the milk beautifully - and after their drink I put Mum back in their nest so they can latch on for a suck off her teats. I feel sorry for that mother feathertail, with the three little ones bulldozing into her pouch area. It is
Did you love this story – go to page 65 to vote for your favourite story – the winner will receive a wonderful book called 'Puggle' by Catriona Hay
©2012 Annie Carston
©2012 Annie Carston Tas Wildlife Rescue Magazine
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Tiny the Planigale
Tas Wildlife Rescue Magazine
Tasmanian Devil), and that meant carnivorous. I made up some Lectade and fetched the scales. She weighed in at somewhere between 5g and 6g, and had no fur on her belly. It was very hard to try to feed a continuously rolling little marsupial! After a few days she settled down, and happily lapped from the end of a canula attached to a 1ml syringe. Now to identifying her. I have dozens and dozens of wildlife books, and the closest I could get was either an Antechinus, a Dunnart or a Planigale. After making some enquiries from vets, zoo's etc. I assumed that she was a Dunnart, or maybe a Planigale, as she seemed too small for an Antechinus. She was perfect except for a slight twist
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in her neck, which meant that she may not be able to be released because it would slow her down. I posted photo's of her on the Wildlife Carers Network, and also sent them to Zoo's, Wildlife Parks, and the Australian Museum., as I felt she would be ok if released with a family of her own species. To do this I needed positive identication. Many replies came back, but she was identified as a Common Planigale; which is the largest of the 4 Planigales. These little animals are the smallest marsupials. Unfortunately for 'Tiny', none others could be found. A Wildlife Park which is an educational centre run by Parks and Wildlife had the perfect home for her in a 'nocturnal house'., but after months of trying to identify and pair her up with others, they told me that as they live such a short life (usually about 1 year), that by the time she had been vet checked, passed by Parks for display, then went up for tender to all Zoo's and Wildlife Parks in Australia, that her time would be running out, and to take another option if I had one. Tiny still lives with us, almost 2 years after she was found. She is happy
and healthy, and just loves her mealworms. Try as I might to get her to eat anything different and she goes on a hunger strike. I have placed heaps of cool things in her cage for her to hunt and chase, but 'no thanks'! Instead I have to feed the mealworms with all sorts of good stuff so she has a proper diet. That aside she weighs in as an adult at 7g, and is about half the size of a full-grown Feathertail Glider. I feel very priveleged to be able to care for and observe such a wonderful little animal. Most of us wouldn't even know they exist.
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T
iny came in to care after being found by a local couple while putting in a causeway across a creek on their property. At first they thought she was a mouse, but on closer examination they felt that her nose was too long, and she was probably a native. They wrapped her up and kept her warm, and as it was close to nightfall, took her home and then phoned me. She arrived wrapped in a hanky, a very small, partly furred little animal, who did a crocodile roll every time we tried to get a closer look at her in order to identify her (I think it is a her, my eyes aren't that good!). Any way, from glimpses we could get we figured out she was of the Daysurid family (same family as the Quoll and
Trish Mathers
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A Blue of a Tale
Glen Burston
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ell it’s now over 18 months since I first came up with the idea of a silicone wildlife teat. How did it start people ask? I would like to say it was like something along the lines of Frankenstein – a mad scientist’s lab, bolts of lightning, gizmos whirring. But alas it was all conceived in the Man Shed where most of my efforts go unnoticed. I did not tell my better half Wildlife Carer what was going on, only picking up meals that were left outside the door. Then after a lot of bad experiments (some are now kept in formaldehyde), one night the mix was just right, the conditions favourable, and it finally released from the template. I am sure a bolt of lightning was in there somewhere. Happy with what I had created I walked into the homestead with a grin as wide as the door. Said to the missus ‘waddya recogn’ and all I got in return was “It’s BLUE! and what is it made of because it feels really soft.” I explained that as the little grey (Western Grey Kangaroo) she was caring for, was having such a bad time Tas Wildlife Rescue Magazine
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with the latex teat (ie not taking the teat and creating all sorts of havoc), I said to myself “just try it”. ‘Well blow me outback dunny down’, the little blighter took to it like jumping into a pouch… Straight away I heard “are there any more,” so Burston Blues were born. What we did find at that time was that the silicone was a lot smoother, had a more natural feel and survived anything we could throw at it. For example – boiling for two hours, microwaving for an hour in water, sticking a hot needle into it (the silicone is good to over 300 degrees C) and best of all it does not deteriorate like latex and can be stored at room temperatures. I especially wanted a product that was safe for me to use and also safe for our wildlife! In those early days we trialled them to some carers and asked for some feedback. Well we waited and we waited. Nothing.
Tas Wildlife Rescue Magazine
What’s going on I asked. Follow-ups proved that they were working and well, they had just not worn out, so they just had not bothered to tell me. Did Thomas Edison have the same problem? “Oh and why are they Blue?” we get that asked all the time. They just come out BLUE – OK! The animals don’t have any problems with the blue - it just a human thing. We now have 18 teats and with different coatings which take it to over 23 variations. These range from Kangaroo, Koala, Bat, Flying Foxes, Possums, Bandicoots, etc etc. I have even done a silicone calf teat for a prem calf for the farmer’s wife down the road. The rubber one was too big for the little girl and yes she did survive. Proceeds go to the refuge and assist with food, materials and medical costs which we are all familiar with. We recently moved to the refuge (August 2011) after selling our 6 acre property in Perth, WA, from where we have been caring for wildlife for more than 20 years. Moved all the gear (yes there was a LOT!) to the refuge and have started building enclosures and infrastructure on the 160 acre property 40 kilometres out of Manjimup in the South West of Western Australia, a four hour drive from Perth.
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You can see what’s going on at maroowildliferefuge.blogspot.com/ and we will “officially” open early 2012 even though we have had wildlife coming through as the case always happens. Yes we have been a busy couple. We are possibly the only refuge that I know of “off” the power grid. We will see how that goes. So far everything works – washing, bread maker, heat boxes and even the old retro 60s flip side toaster works in the morning – happy wife, happy life.
A big thank you to all the carers and centres that are supporting “Burston Blues” and “Maroo Wildlife Refuge”. Thank you for the feedback for it has been great to hear. I always get a warm feeling when someone sends us a photo of their babies in care and I am so pleased that I have been able to bring something “new” to wildlife carers. Send in your story and receive a free Kangaroo Footprints book and bookmark!! Email to: andrea@taswildliferescue.com.au
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Burston Blue
TEATS ORDER FORM Teat Size and Description Mini – suits 1-3mL syringes Medium Mini – suits 5mL syringes Large Mini – suits 10mL syringes Xtra Large Mini – suits 20mL syringes Offset
Price $ 1.00 $ 1.00 $ 1.50 $ 2.00
Teat Size and Description Price A Teat 2 Coats $ 3.50 B Teat 2 Coats $ 3.50 B Teat 3 Coats $ 5.00 C Teat 2 Coats $ 3.50 E Teat 3 Coats $ 5.00 F Teat 3 Coats $ 5.00 2 Coats are suitable for Young Animals Only Teat Size and Description Price #1 Teat 2 Coats $ 3.50 #2 Teat 2 Coats $ 3.50 #2 Teat 3 Coats $ 5.00 #3 Teat 2 Coats $ 3.50 #3 Teat 3 Coats $ 5.00 #4 Teat 3 Coats $ 5.00 #5 Teat 3 Coats $ 5.00 2 Coats are suitable for Young Animals Only Comforts Small Medium Large
Comforts Extra Soft $ 3.00 $ 3.00 Small $ 4.00 $ 4.00 Medium $ 5.00 $ 5.00 Large
Postage Up to 5 5-10
$1.70 10-15 $2.30 Over 15 Bulk Lots Please Ask for Rate
$2.80 $2.80
Mini Teats
Teats A-B
Comfort Teats
Teat C
Teats 1-5
1 Kangaroo Pinkie and Wallaby 2 Kangaroo over 1.5kg and larger Wallabies 3 Kangaroo 3kg to 5kg 4 Kangaroo 5kg to 10kg 5 Kangaroo 10kg to weaning. A Flying Fox's less than 10 days B Flying Fox's to weaning C Unfurred Possums, Bandicoots, Antechinus and Small Mammals E Small Koalas and Wombats F Larger Unweaned Koalas and Wombats Mini Teats – suitable for tiny pinkies, bandicoot, wallaby and numbats
Teats E-F
Payment by direct deposit please. Either online, or you can go into your own bank and ask them to do it for you. Note: Direct deposit can take up to three days to reach our account. Orders are Usually 7-10 Days. Account Name: GJ + JM Burston Commonwealth Bank BSB: 066179 Account No: 10173533 In Reference: Please put your Name. Email: dollar.downs@bigpond.com Inquiries to Jo: 0409 086973 RMB 161 Perup Road Manjimup W.A. 6258
Wilma of Minton Farm T
here is a certain 25kg bundle that oversees the farm activities both day and night. Wilma, is a Southern Hairy Nosed Wombat, but don’t tell her so, as she thinks she is human! Her mother was dug up and eaten at Yalata on the Nullabor Plains. She was barely 1kg in weight at the time, still in her mother’s pouch. Her captors unfortunately fed her cow’s milk in a bowl, which she inhaled, causing her to have pneumonia and enteritis as well as Salmonella. She was taken to Minton Farm by a woman from the Aboriginal tribe in the District. The Vets at the Adelaide Zoo assisted me to medicate her correctly to get on top of all of her infections. It was a long road, but today she weighs in at a healthy 25 kgs at 2 years old, sporting the silkiest coat of smooth, satiny fur. Wilma has never been confined to an enclosure. She has the run of our home, as well as the house paddock. She is proficient at opening the kitchen door by laying sideways and hooking one of her claws from her short, fat, little arms into the edge of the security door, and with one deft swoop, she can fling it open like a piece of tin foil! She spends her Tas Wildlife Rescue Magazine
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Bev Langley days sleeping outside in the dog bedroom, or the large kennel soaking up the sunshine with the Jack Russell and the Chihuahua, or if it’s too warm a day, she retires to the cool room in the old dairy where the milk vat was housed. Our house is consequently not the ‘norm’! It is in fact a wombat burrow!! There’s a baby proof gate across the bedroom doors to prevent her from dragging all of the sheets off of the beds, and ripping the carpets up to the hessian base : There are spirals of plastic tubing around all accessible power cords to prevent her from chewing through the insulation and getting electrocuted: There’s a plastic sheet under a blanket covering the lounge suite to catch any wet puddles she may leave after cuddling into the pillows and blankets strewn over it for her; there’s the crunch of muesli, chaff and weetbix that sticks to your shoes as you walk across the vinyl flooring where she has sorted through her evening feast for her favourite foods, and the slippery patches where she has devoured a cob of corn and left a silvery trail like a snails’ trail; There are narrow bare patches striped along the kitchen floor where she has chewed near the fridge to get my attention to open the fridge door so she Page 28
Minton Farm is a not for profit, native animal rescue centre in Cherry Gardens, South Australia. The Aim of the centre is to rescue, rehabilitate and release injured and orphaned native animals and birds as a free community service. It is operated by Tas Wildlife Rescue Magazine
be aware of her fetish for bare skin at her level, like ankles, shins or her particular delight … bare toes! It is quite entertaining when Wilma enters the volunteer kitchen at lunchtime to say g’day, and a wave of legs rise into the air as she waddles past each of the volunteers’ chairs. “Is it worth it?” you may say. “Yes, 100% of wombat joy, spiced with her devilish sense of humour, abounds in our home, and we wouldn’t have it any other way!” Send in your story and receive a free Kangaroo Footprints book!! Email to: andrea@taswildliferescue.com.au
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can have a cob of corn or a sweet potato; There are piles of disposable nappies placed in strategic positions to catch the ebb and flow of wee if she is caught short; There are the little ‘fruitchocs’ dropped in lines across the carpet leaving a tell-tale trail of which direction she has wandered off; then there are the 40 minutes spent twice a day to feed her bottle to her whilst her solid weight lays across your chest in absolute blissful contentment; then there’s the morning chase to jump onto the bed to get your socks on before she nips your toes. There is the flurry of fur racing across the kitchen as the Burmese cat plays chasey with the wombat in hot pursuit, until he collapses in a purring heap with the wombat writhing on top; and the comical antics of the Jack Russell riding on top of the wombat that rolls over in delight! Visitors, and volunteers, need to
Did you love this story – go to page 65 to vote for your favourite story – the winner will receive a wonderful book called 'Puggle' by Catriona Hoy
the involvement of volunteers who assist with the maintenance of the Centre, and with caring for the animals. There is no funding for the work which has rescued over 8,600 creatures in the on-site Intensive Care Unit, with equally as many off-site via email and phone rescue advice throughout Australasia and beyond. There are 300 animals housed within 6 acres of fox and cat proofed fencing in species specific enclosures. Species assisted include Kangaroos, possums,
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wombats, koalas, emu, eagles, kookaburras, tawny frogmouths, and a myriad of parrots and lorikeets. In addition to this, there are the farm animals ranging from ducks, geese and peacocks through to donkey, ponies, pigs and deer. Mrs.Bev Langley. Owner/Manager, Minton Farm Animal Rescue Centre. Web: www.mintonfarm.com.au Email: mintonfarm@adam.com.au Phone: 08 8270 1169
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We Didn’t Give Up on our Tawny Frogmouth Owl
Tas Wildlife Rescue Magazine
or what age it was, I was just worrying would I be OK to do the job. I get there and I find this Tawny Frogmouth Owl – it was just sitting there. I was able to walk right up to it, pick it up and put it in a box, then I headed home. When I got home I gave it an hour to rest in a dark area and then I went over to it to see if it was OK and to see if it had any injuries. I could not find any injuries with it at all but I thought I should get it looked at by the vet. The vet had a good look at it
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head side to side as much as it was before and it was eating better. So I kept on going with it and two months later it was not doing it any more. It could move better without falling over, so we knew it was time to put it outside in an aviary, we continued to feed it and one day it felt right to release him back into the wild again as he was as well as we could achieve. So that night we put it in a tree and left it there and the next morning it was still there, it stayed for weeks in the tree but one morning it was gone, we did not see it again after that day.
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ne day I was heading into town when my mobile started to ring, so I pulled over to the side of the road and it was one of my head carers asking me to go and rescue a Tawny Frogmouth. I asked, "What is a Tawny Frogmouth?" I was told it was a meat eating bird. I had not heard of them until that day. They said all it needed was TLC (tender loving care), so I turned around to head out of town and go and do the rescue, I had no idea what size
and could not find a thing wrong with it either. So I went home with it and put it back in a dark room again that night. In the morning I go to feed it and I see it is moving its head side to side. It was worrying me so I called my head carer and I was told to get it put to sleep. I was thinking there would have to be something better for it, so I got on Facebook and talked to some other carers and I was told the same thing. But I just could not do it, so I kept it in a dark room to rest, I kept feeding it. (They told me that if I kept it alive a week later it would have brain damage and it will not get over it) I was so sorry for it and I just do not want to PTS it. I knew I just had to do something for it so I just kept doing what I was doing. About a month later it was starting to get better – it was no longer moving its
Robert Peters
Did you love this story – go to page 65 to vote for your favourite story – the winner will receive a wonderful book called 'Puggle' by Catriona Hoy
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Give your Babies Every Advantage BY USING NATURAL MAGNETIC ENERGY
Magnetic Energy is part of the natural environment for all living things. Notice how different you feel when taking a drive in the country you step out of the car and instantly your body starts to relax. WHY? You are surrounded by natural magnetic fields invisible to the eye – one example is ‘Gravity’. How do you feel when you join modern civilization – your environment is altered. You are under electric lighting, surrounded by electric wires through your walls and the roof of your home. Magnetic Equalizing Technology was developed to counterbalance that effect, to make your surroundings more like the natural magnetic field that has protected human health and animal health for millennia. These magnetic products help restore the conditions in which human beings and animals are meant to live and thrive. Rediscover the rhythms of living, with Magnetic Equalizing Technology. These Advanced Magnetic Tools have: * Patented EQL Magnetics * Far infrared technology in them which provides a warmth *The warmth helps with the circulation of blood to the area *The magnetic energy moves the blood through that area *The blood has anti-oxidants that remove the acid *No acid – no swelling (swelling is 80%-90% of pain) *Therefore – no swelling equals no pain. The Kenko® Back Flex The Kenko Back Flex features patented EQL Magnetic and Far-Infrared Technologies, as well as a thin steel foil under the silver label which increases the gauss strength on the opposite side of the magnet. Fits inside the pocket of the KenkoTherm Back Belt (item #1862). Kenko Flex (19.2 x 14.1cm) The flex pad has a gauss level of 500 (gauss is the strength of magnetic field). Magnets never lose their energy. The cost is ONLY $191.20 – order yours today. Call Stephan on 0413 587 613 or email directly Tas Wildlife Rescue Stephan_devos@yahoo.no Other products are available visit: http://www.enikken.com.au/b2c/ This is a perfect size to place under your babies (I cover mine over with a thin clear bag to protect it, then place it under my wildlife animal – it is so wonderful for pain as it removes the pain as explained above). Test it on yourself for proof.
The Platypus
Andrea Devos The Platypus – taxonomic family name for Platypus - Dr Shaw, in his scientific description of 1799, gave the name Platypus anatinus, from Greek and Latin words meaning "flat-footed, duck-like". However, when it became known that Platypus had already been used to name a group of beetles, a new term had to be adopted. The official scientific name became and remains Ornithorhynchus anatinus, with the first word meaning "birdlike snout".
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he identification of a platypus is unmistakable. With its broad bill and broad paddle like tail – there is simply not another animal that looks like it. The preferred plural of platypus is either "platypus" or "platypuses", depending on which dictionary you consult. (We [Tas Rescue Magazine] will use the former for the sake of simplicity.) The term "platypi" is no longer considered to be valid. There is no accepted term equivalent to pup or cub - to describe a baby platypus. One possible name recently suggested is a "platypup". In recent years, the word "puggle" has been commonly used for Baby Platypus. This term was applied to baby echidnas some years ago because of their resemblance to Tas Wildlife Rescue Magazine
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The Platypus Range in Australia Credit: www.animalfiles.com
Credit: http://animal-unique.blogspot.com.au/2011/11/platypus.html
Puggles, an American soft-toy character. (It is understood that the toy company concerned may have considered legal action to protect its registered trade-mark in relation to unauthorised usage). This name is now being applied to baby platypus or it’s other name Platypup is also accepted. However because the baby platypus Tas Wildlife Rescue Magazine
and baby echidna doesn't look very much alike once they get past the initial post-hatching "jelly-bean" stage, scientists and researchers argue that the baby platypus doesn't resemble a puggle and is possibly illegal to use and they are pushing to have the word Platypup approved. So this e-magazine (Tas Wildlife
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Rescue) will refer to a platypus baby from here on as a ‘Platypup’, based on this research. Platypus are wild animals with specialised living requirements. It is illegal for members of the public to keep them in captivity. A platypus which has been accidently captured along a stream or found wandering in
an unusual place should never be taken home and treated as a pet, even for a brief time. The animal will not survive the experience. Only a small number of Australian zoos and universities hold permits to maintain platypus in captivity for legitimate display or research purposes. Current Australian government policy does not allow this species to be taken overseas for any reason. The platypus lives only in Australia. Populations occur in Tasmania, Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland to about as far north as Cooktown. In South Australia, apart from an introduced population surviving on Kangaroo Island, the species is considered rare and possibly extinct in the wild. Because platypus are predators near the top of the food chain and Page 33
require large amounts of food to survive (up to about 30% of a given animal's body weight each day), it is believed that their numbers are most often limited by the availability of food, mainly in the form of bottomdwelling aquatic invertebrates. Until the early twentieth century, platypus were widely killed for their fur. The species is now protected by law throughout Australia. Platypus fur is extremely fine and even denser than that of polar bears and river otters, with 600-900 hairs covering each square millimetre of skin! Platypus fur also has two layers - a woolly undercoat and longer, shiny guard hairs - which work together to trap a layer of air next to the skin, keeping most of the animal's body dry even when diving. For the platypus to stay warm while in the water, its fur must remain completely clean and waterproof, and not be fouled by oil or other pollutants. A healthy platypus normally maintains its body temperature at close to 32 oC, about 5 oC less than that of humans. This reduces the rate at which a platypus loses heat to the water, helping to ensure that the animals don't become chilled even when swimming all night in nearfreezing conditions. The combination of a naturally low body temperature and thick fur Tas Wildlife Rescue Magazine
coat also means that the platypus overheats rapidly if exposed to warm conditions on land. In captivity, a platypus has been observed to remain underwater for up to 5 minutes while resting quietly under a log. When searching actively for food, a platypus will usually remain submerged for less than a minute before returning to the surface to breathe. Like most diving mammals, the platypus has blood that is very rich in oxygen-carrying haemoglobin and red cells. The platypus can also reduce its need for oxygen when diving by lowering its heart rate dramatically, from more than two hundred beats per minute to less than ten beats per minute. The platypus swims using only its front limbs for propulsion. The front feet are equipped with large webs of skin that serve as highly effective paddles. When out of the water and moving around the webbing is folded
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Credit: www.museumvictoria.com.au Photo by Simon Hinkley and Ken Walker
under the animal's feet, making it easier for the animal to walk and to uncover broad nails, which are ideally suited for digging. The legs of the platypus are short and each foot has five clawed digits. Unfortunately, these highly specialised front feet are not adept at removing objects that become caught Page 34
around the head or body. As a result, platypus can die after becoming ensnared in litter such as loops of nylon fishing line or plastic six-pack holders. On the front foot of a platypus (previous page) you can see how when the webbing is folded under, the nails would protrude and can be used to dig with the hind feet, which are only partially webbed and act as steering rudders. The back feet end in a series of sharp, curved claws that are used like a comb to keep the animal's fur tidy and waterproof. Both the front and back legs extend out horizontally from the body, providing a powerful swimming and digging action. However, it also forces the platypus to shuffle like a lizard when walking on land or crossing shallow areas of water, making them vulnerable to predators such as foxes and dogs. However the male Platypus has a venomous spur. A characteristic that helps add even more to the male platypuses uniqueness, this ability to produce and deliver venom. The venom is produced in crural glands, located on both hind legs under the dorsal thigh muscles. How the crural gland actually creates venom was not found by the writer of this article. The size of the gland changes with the season, as well as the volume of the venom. It gets larger during the Tas Wildlife Rescue Magazine
spring time, which coincides with breeding season. The gland secretes venom through a duct which connects to a reservoir at the base of a keratinous spur. A spur is located on the rear side of each of the hind legs, and on a mature adult, is about 15 mm long. The platypus strikes by erecting its spur, and then squeezing the victim between its hind legs. The motion forces the spur into its victim, and simultaneously squeezes venom from the reservoir through a channel going through the spur, and then out through the tip. A mature male platypus can inject 2-4 ml of venom at a time, depending on the season.
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The venom is a colourless fluid containing a mixture of proteins and peptides. When injected the person feels an agonising pain that seems to suggest that it contains one or more extremely potent neuroirritants. As to what these neuroirritants are and the way in which they act is not yet known. However, one protein has been identified from the red blood cells of a human victim. It is the enzyme phospholipase D, which is found in some snakes, including the Australian Tiger Snake, but no other mammals. The venom is potent enough to kill dogs, but in a human it causes severe pain, which is not alleviated by analgesics. The pain can last for at least 36 hours and the limbs may swell up like balloons. Following this, a rash can last for several months. A potential gamma-globulin antibody has been found for the venom, which could lead to an antivenene to treat a person who has been spurred. The platypus uses its spur against other male platypus mainly to fight for females during the breeding season. Males are extremely territorial and will fight to hold their territory. It can also be used as a potentially effective mechanism for males to ensure that they have spatial separation from each other. The first-aid for an attack is to avoid contact with the site of the sting and restrict movement of the limb.
The pain cannot be masked by morphine. There is also no antivenin available. The only treatment that has been found to help reduce the pain is anesthetic blockade coupled with narcotic intravenous infusion. This works by stopping the conduction and/or transmission of nerve signals. Only then can morphine (or another narcotic) be used to help treat the pain. Fenner et al. (1992) went on to explain that this treatment only helps alleviate some of the pain and must be administered for several days. Looking at the way the spur changes during the first few years of the life can be used to age male platypuses. Up to the age of 6 months, the spur is enclosed in a sheath. Between 6 and 9 months about a third of the spur can be seen poking out of the sheath, which has begun to break down. Between 9 and 12 months (subadult) the sheath has broken down to such an extent that about two-thirds of the spur is showing. When the male has reached about 2 years the sheath can still be seen covering the base of the spur. Juvenile females have a rudimentary version of the spur, but, unlike juvenile males, they lose it within their first year. The spur of the female does not change in size during the 8 to 10 months it can be seen, after which it is shed. Some fishermen used to believe that the platypus could Page 35
breathe through its back because when it was submerged small bubbles of air would escape from where it was trapped and appear on the surface. The webbed feet are most likely to be the reason why the platypus got its name. This is because the webbed feet may give the impression that the platypus is flat-footed, which is what its name means. The platypus hunts underwater and, predominantly, at night. In such conditions, hearing and eye-sight are of little use in detecting prey. Accordingly, the platypus closes both its eyes and ears (which are located in a groove behind the eyes) and relies on its "sixth sense" - an electro-receptor system, located in the bill which helps it detect the small flickers of electricity produced by the aquatic creatures that it feeds on. The bill also contains various pressure sensors which, together with the electro-receptors, probably assist navigation while submerged. Although similar in appearance, the Platypus bill is nothing like a ducks. It is pliable and more like rubber whereas a ducks bill is hard. The platypus' bill is covered with a soft, moist, naked, leathery skin, which, when touched, feels soft and rubbery. It is reported that the bill has a certain amount of flexibility, but the bones of the upper and lower jaw limit this. These are further apart at Tas Wildlife Rescue Magazine
submerged. The lower bill, which is a pale pink or mottled colour on its underside, is smaller than the upper bill. At the back of the bill is the frontal shield that stretches slightly up and over the forehead. It is unknown as to what its purpose is. The bill's entire surface is covered with openings to sensitive nerve endings, which makes it very sensitive to touch. The platypus uses its bill in order to search for food and to find its way around when it is submerged. The platypus does not have any teeth instead, it has horn-like
grinding pads, which cover most of each jaw. At the front of the bill these pads are sharp ridges, but as they progress towards the head they become more flattened, which makes them suitable for grinding food. The tongue is flattened, and works against the grinding pads to aid chewing. These pads get worn down fairly rapidly, but this is compensated by the fact that they are continuously growing. The platypus was once commonly known as a "duckbill". In fact, its bill is rubbery and flexible, not
The bone structure of the underside of a platypus bill.
the tip than at the head. This structure can be found in all mammals, whereas other vertebrates, e.g. reptiles, have a lower jaw that is made up of several pairs of bones. The top of the bill is a blue-grey colour and slightly back from its tip are two nostril holes. The positioning of these allow it to breathe while the rest of its body is
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The receptors in a platypuses bill are extremely sensitive. Credit: Platypus – World’s Strangest Animals (Documentary) Page 36
Skeleton of an adult platypus. Credit: www.Sciencebuzz.org
hard like that of a duck. Although the bill is quite tough, to enable the platypus to search for food amongst rocks and gravel, it is covered with skin. Sometimes platypus are found with scars on their bill, suggesting that they have cut themselves on sharp objects in the water, such as broken glass and wire, or have been snagged on fishing hooks. There are two grooves situated on either side of the platypus's head, just behind the bill. The eyes are situated at the front of each groove, and at the back are the ear openings. The platypus has no external ear lobes. When diving, the platypus closes both its ears and eyes. This means it has to rely on other organs for finding Tas Wildlife Rescue Magazine
its way about underwater, hence the sensitivity of its bill. However, when on land it has the use of its eyes, which are very acute over long distances. However, because of their location, it is unable to see what is literally 'under its nose'. The platypus' ability to smell is not as developed as the echidnas. The platypus has a skeleton that is heavy and strong enough to support large muscles, which it uses for both digging and swimming. The front limbs, especially, use large muscles in order to assist in digging and swimming. In order to assist the platypus’ movement the leg bones and the shoulder girdles, which support these bones, are all fairly large.
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Some early reports suggested that the platypus slapped the water with its tail to make warning sounds, similar in behaviour to beavers. In fact, there is no evidence for this, although when startled platypus will sometimes make a "splash-dive" - a rapid dive in which they seem to use the tail to thrust themselves downwards quickly. This can produce quite a loud noise, and perhaps this was the origin of the tail-slapping myth. The main function of the tail is to store up to 50% of the animal's body fat, providing an energy reserve if food is scarce. Researchers rate the general physical condition of a platypus on a five-point scale by applying a "squeeze test" to the tail in
order to assess the amount of fat stored there. A female platypus can also use her tail to collect leaves to make a nest in the breeding chamber. She then uses her curled up tail to hold eggs against her stomach during incubation. The platypus tail is broad and paddle-like, quite unlike the tail of the Australian water-rat (the animal most likely to be confused with a platypus by observers) which is thin and also has a distinctive white tip. Unlike the soft fur on the body of a platypus, the hair on the upper side of the tail is quite hard and bristle-like, reflecting the fact that the tail is used to push loose earth out of the way when a platypus is digging a burrow. The Platypus’ means of reproduction and waste elimination
Female Platypus collects leaves and uses her tail to cart them to her tunnel – see how the tail folds under holding the leaves Page 37
are unique. Monotremes have a cloaca, which is a single opening for passage of solid and liquid waste, where the transfer of sperm takes place, and in females, the laying of eggs. This feature is shared only with birds and reptiles. In order to determine an individual's sexuality, i.e. males or females, sex chromosomes are required. The platypus has 26 pairs of chromosomes, which is 3 more pairs than humans have. Of these, five of the pairs are sex chromosomes humans only have one pair. The penis of the male platypus is located inside the cloaca and is everted through this opening for the purpose of reproduction. Semen is carried from the testes to the penis by the urethra. The testes are located within the platypus’ body and this condition is called testicond. Only a few other mammals, e.g. the elephant, the echidna, some shrews, have a similar set-up. Other mammals have external testes contained in a scrotum, which hangs from the body. Some have suggested that they can sex a platypus by feeling for the penis which is a lump against the epipubic bones, similar to that of an echidna. If this is the case then it stands to reason that a Platypus can be palpitated like an Echidna. Whether this has been done in the field is yet unknown. (If you look in the Echidna article of this same magazine you will Tas Wildlife Rescue Magazine
find Dr Peggy Resmillers instructions on how to sex an adult echidna using Palpitation.) It has been reported that the platypus is capable of making noises, but these have rarely been heard. They include a growl that is similar to the one a puppy would make and a noise that is comparable with that of a brooding hen. It is thought that they would use this when they are in danger. The platypus will usually sleep in a curled position on its side. While in this state it has been found that the platypus has rapid-eye movement (REM). In research on humans it seems to be that REM is important in allowing the brain to either develop nerve endings or restore their sensitivities. This seems to indicate that it uses sleep to allow its brain to develop/recharge itself. The courtship of a Platypus is a dance – a male grasps the females tail and a courtship dance begins – the female will sommersault and dive and flip and the male all the time will hold her tail with his bill and follow her every movement – this courtship dance will last for about 20 minutess – then the male mounts her – she can lay between one and three eggs. The female will carry a mark from her courtship dance – her tail will have a tell tale bare patch where the male has hung on. Whether she mates
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Here is a close up of a 4 week old platypus – found dead in its dead mothers pouch. Photograph By Michael Leadbetter – this picture is added so you can see the baby is 100% reliant on its mother at this young age Page 38
with one male or a dozen males is still one of the great mysteries of the Platypus. A female prefers to build her nesting burrows several metres up from the creek bed so she is protected from flooding creeks / rivers. Where resting burrows are low down sometimes in the water or just under the ledge where roots and plants hide the entrance. Platypus eggs have been recorded from August to October, with some evidence that the animals breed a few weeks earlier in Queensland as compared to Victoria and Tasmania. As platypus eggs are believed to develop for about a month inside the mother after being fertilised, platypuses presumably breed as early as July in the warmer parts of their range. The platypus is a warm-blooded mammal which lays and hatches eggs. A female platypus produces a clutch of one to three eggs in late winter or spring. The eggs are 15-18 millimetres long and have a thin, leathery shell, like those of snakes and lizards. The mother is believed to incubate them between her lower belly and curled-up tail for a period of about 10 or 11 days as she rests in an underground nest made of leaves or other vegetation collected from the water. Male platypus do not help to raise the young. Tas Wildlife Rescue Magazine
A female platypus does not have teats. Instead, a rich milk is secreted from two round patches of skin midway along the mother's belly. The baby platypus feeds by slurping up milk with rhythmic sweeps of its stubby bill, it finds the milk by its huge nostrils which are well formed even at 6-7 weeks of age. When the juveniles first enter the water at the age of about four months, they are nearly (80-90%) as long as an adult. During the long period when lactation, the production of milk, is not required these glands are quite small, i.e. only spread over a small part of the female’s abdomen. However, when milk is required by the young during the lactating season they become extremely large, and can cover up to a third of this area. Reports by naturalists indicate that very large Murray cod and birds of prey (hawks, eagles and owls)
Credit: www.ipeters.de/presentation.html Male and female platypus are both believed to be capable of first reproducing at the age of two years.
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What happens in the nest of a mother? Filmmakers David Parer and Elizabeth Parer-Cook ….. have filmed a documentary (Platypus; World’s Strangest Animal) and Liz had this to say: “the mother was gentle and nurturing. She would call before she came in and they would respond, and every time she went out she would completely remake the nest." Thanks to the wonderful documentary - Platypus; World’s Strangest Animal – here are some points of interest: At maturity, male platypus measure on average 50 centimetres in total body length (bill tip to tail tip). They typically weigh 1.2-2.6 kilograms, although the heaviest platypus yet recorded (captured in Tasmania) tipped the scales at 3 kilograms. Adult females are smaller, measuring an average 43 centimetres in total body length and weighing 0.7-1.6 kilograms. Platypus have been recorded to live to at least 16 years in the wild, though most individuals die at a much younger age. The longest reliable age record for a platypus in
captivity is 17 years. More research is required to establish the animals' typical life span in the wild, although estimates of about 4-5 years for males and 6-8 years for females are not unreasonable. CLEVER COMORANT AND THE PLATYPUS Although Platypus hunt in solitude – the Australian cormorant (bird) has become quite clever and will dive with the platypus during feeding – the platypus stirs up the bottom and eats what his bill can sense – shrimps and small fish are flushed out by the foraging platypus and the cormorant eats them.
Credit: gondwana.net
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occasionally capture platypus in the water, while carpet pythons, goannas and Australian water-rats may attack young platypus in the burrow. It has also been suggested that predation by crocodiles may contribute to the lack of platypus on Cape York Peninsula in far north Queensland. Since European settlement, introduced species such as foxes, dogs and cats have probably become the major predators on platypus. Platypus use two types of burrows: "nesting burrows" (which provide shelter for a mother and up to three offspring) and "camping burrows" (all other burrows). If provoked, a male platypus can use his spurs as a defensive weapon. In the days when platypus were shot for their fur, dogs were sometimes killed after being sent to retrieve a wounded male from the water. These days, people mainly get spurred when they handle a platypus which has become hooked inadvertently on a fishing line. Platypus venom is not considered to be life-threatening to a healthy human. However, spurring is painful - in part, because platypus spurs are sharp and can be driven in with great force. As well, platypus poison triggers severe pain in the affected limb and can result in quite spectacular localised swelling. No one actually knows how dangerous platypus venom is to other platypus. In captivity, a 15-year-old male died some Tas Wildlife Rescue Magazine
days after being spurred by a younger adult in December (after the breeding season). However, it remained unclear whether the resulting tissue damage was due to the effects of poison or simply physical trauma and possible infection. Platypus should never be handled, except in an emergency - for example, to extract a fishing hook that has become embedded in a platypus's bill. In such a situation, the platypus can be restrained by holding its body flat against the ground while the hook is carefully removed - ideally by a second person. Special care should be taken to avoid holding or supporting males (or animals of undetermined sex) from below. If it is necessary to pick up a sick or injured animal (for example, to place it in a secure bag or box before taking it to a veterinarian) the safest technique is to grip the platypus by the middle or end of its tail (but not the tail base, which an animal can reach with its spurs). To reduce struggling, cover the animal's eyes with a folded towel or item of soft clothing while it is being handled. In the wild baby platypuses usually stay with their mothers only for four to five months before venturing out on their own. Daughters stay close to their mothers but the sons wander further afield. Females will know their daughters throughout their life, and the grandmothers will know their daughters and their granddaughters.
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What should I do if spurred? If spurred, take first-aid action as for snake-bite - i.e. • immobilise the injured limb with a pressure-bandage and splint; • keep calm and avoid strenuous movement; • seek medical assistance as soon as possible. The males, like so many other species, disappear off into the horizon to find a slab of river that's their own. Thanks to: • platypus.co.uk • www.wiresnr.org.au • Healesville Wildlife Sanctuary • Fourth crossing wildlife • Documentary – Platypus – World’s Strangest Animals • Museum Victoria • Scienceorg.com
Returning a juvenile to where she was found. www.wiresnr.org.au Photo by Alicia Carter
The pain appears to be controlled more effectively by local nerve-blocking agents than by morphine-related drugs. Placing ice or cold-packs on the site of the spur wound is NOT advisable as this may actually intensify the discomfort.
How to hold a Platypus? Do not hold the platypuses tail too close to the base because if it is a male it can quite easily jab you with his spur – you should hold the platypuses tail in the middle or at the end.
Credit: www.abc.net.au
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What to feed a Platypup? A farmer was extending his dam and accidentally killed a mother platypus in her burrow – being a wildlife lover he searched carefully and found a 200gram – six week old male Platypup. He rushed it to the Healesville Sanctuary in Queensland and Ian Elton became his loving, dedicated carer. How did he do it? The carers figured out that the
How to house a Platypus in your care?
milk supplement used for the echidna was suitable, especially when soaked onto a paintbrush. Why this curious method? Because it simulated the way a baby platypus is fed by its mother, who does not have nipples or teats, but oozes out the milk from her milk glands into her fur. As they get older you can allow them to drink from a dish as you can see here in this pic.
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the water so the platypus can feed. The platypus can feed only on live food as its receptors on its beak can only detect moving prey – aquatic crustaceans, worms, fish eggs, tadpoles and insect larvae, shrimps, small fish. Make sure the platypus is in a quiet area – do not allow pets or children to be able to enter the room and no noise should be around the animal – making the room as dark as possible and making sure the air temperature is below 25 degrees Celsius will keep the animal calm. For sleeping quarters use a smooth wooden box and line the bottom with folded towels. Platypus are extremely sensitive to heat so keep the air temperature below 25 degrees Celsius.
Send in your story and receive a free Kangaroo Footprints book and silver bookmark!! Email to: andrea@taswildliferescue.com.au
Credit: This eight-week-old platypus are being hand-raised by Leonie Hawke and Jocelyn Hockley, two keepers at the Australian Wildlife Health Centre at Healesville Sanctuary.
Tas Wildlife Rescue Magazine
A platypus should only be in your care if you are an approved wildlife carer and you have a permit for this species of animal. As soon as the Platypus is well again it must be taken back to the EXACT area it came from as Platypus are territory and will kill another male in their area – also platypus have burrows they hide for safety and in their areas they know where these burrows are, in an area where they have never been before they do not have fast access to these burrows and can stress and die. While keeping a Platypus in care for an emergency short period put 15-30cm of rain or pond water in a bath. Provide a large rock or platform at one end and put food in
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This is the habitat of a Platypus – they enjoy being in streams, creeks and rivers
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Bruce Bain
Photography These wonderful photographs and many others are available online from Bruce Bain Photography. Please enjoy the full range at http://brucebainphotography.com.au/ Or contact Bruce directly at: Email: brucebain@activ8.net.au Phone: 03 6397 8363 PRINT SIZES AND PRICES (Australian dollars including GST) 150mm x 200mm (6” x 8”) $15.00 Postage within Australia $5.00 200mm x 250mm (8” x 10”) A4 $25.00 Postage within Australia $5.00 300mm x 420mm (12” x 16.5”) A3 $50.00 Postage within Australia $10.00 610mm x 910mm (24” x 36’’) $175.00 Postage within Australia $15.00 Your choice of gloss or semi-gloss (matte) photo paper Postage discounts apply for multiple purchases Photographs can be delivered anywhere in the world, please contact Bruce for quote.
I was walking along my creek after their had been a flood when I noticed a platypus swimming along feeding. I rushed back to my house and got my camera. Then went back and photographed the platypus rising out of the water. Platypus are usually solitary animals and forage for food for about 12 hours every day. They can consume up to half their body weight a day. When feeding on the bottom the playpus swim with their eyes ears and nostrils closed. Using their electro-perception and sense of touch allows them to find and capture their food, which is worms,crustaceans,insects,molluscs and tadpoles. Once caught the food is carried to the surface in cheek-pouches and then are eaten. They have no teeth but have small horny pads to hold and crush the food.
All prints can be matted in a range of colours, with single or double mats available. Matting will be cut to suit your choice of frame. Frame mouldings available in Tasmanian timbers – Blackwood / Celerytop Pine / Tasmanian Oak / Myrtle / Sassafras. Other mouldings (timber framing) also available. Contact Bruce directly for price on matting and framing of images. CANVAS SIZES AND PRICES (Australian dollars including GST) Small 220mm x 350mm (9” x 14”) $80.00 Medium 340mm x 530mm (13” x 21”) $130.00 Large 470mm x 720mm (19” x 28” ) $200.00 For price of postage of canvas please contact Bruce. Canvases can be delivered anywhere in the world, please contact Bruce for quote. GREETING CARDS (Australian dollars including GST) Greeting cards $4.00 EACH (includes postage) PAYMENT METHODS • Direct deposit (email Bruce direct for details) • Cheque • PayPal
ALL IMAGES COVERED BY COPYRIGHT
All prices in Australian dollars including GST
PHOTO ESSAY
Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary
Andrea Devos
F
irst impression – what a clean wildlife park. When going through the main gates into the wildlife park we had a T intersection and a choice to make – watch the Tassie Devils straight ahead – go left to the wombats or go right to feed the kangaroos… We decided to go left and how pleasing to be met with the FATTEST Blue Tongue Lizards I have ever seen – so healthy and content they were, they are housed in such a way that you can kneel down and take fantastic pics of them.
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We continued and met a koala in a tree – one of the keepers was answering questions – guests can take
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pictures with the koala FREE!! There was an enclosure with more koalas.
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Beautiful Cape Barren Geese met us along the way and happily took food from our hands, when you first come they give you a free bag of food. The wombat did not disappoint – although he had a hole that went down into the earth he was out and willing to have a scratch on his back – the wombat was hand-reared and will soon be released back into the wild.
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The park is lovely because there are huge natural trees with large hollows throughout and for the trees that didn't have hollows they had placed throughout the park – nest boxes.
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All the Tasmanian Macropods were there: grey kangaroo, bennetts wallaby, pademelon, bettong, potoroos too. Also they had lovely rare Cape Barren geese who were enjoying a swim in the man made pools spotted throughout the park.
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There is very large enclosures which housed the Tasmanian Devils that were retired – what a place to spend your old age – we really enjoyed watching the Tassie Devils swimming in their pool – I didn't know Tassie Devils liked water.
Send in your story and receive a free Kangaroo Footprints book!! Email to: andrea@taswildliferescue.com.au
Tas Wildlife Rescue Magazine
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Watch out for the devils - they have been to known to snatch a camera or iPhone and the emus won't wait for a feed by hand - they like to poke their heads straight into your bag of feed.
Nesting Boxes for Birds & Mammals The La Trobe Wildlife Sanctuary has been researching and building nesting boxes for over 15 years. Our 12 different designs cater for many species including Parrots, Ducks, Kookaburras, Pardalotes and Sugar Gliders. Made from environmentally responsible materials, our boxes have been expertly designed for specific animals, discouraging pests like Starlings, Indian Mynahs and Feral Bees. All our boxes are easy to install. To see the full range contact us for a brochure or visit our web site. Contact: The La Trobe Wildlife Sanctuary La Trobe University - Melbourne Campus Ph : (03) 9479 1206 nestboxes@latrobe.edu.au www.latrobe.edu.au/wildlife
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You won't be disappointed about the assortment of birds with kookaburras, peacocks, rainbow Tas Wildlife Rescue Magazine
lorikeets, tawny frog-mouthed owls, white and black cockatoos and galahs to enjoy.
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The owner Greg Irons gave our son a cuddle goodbye and we really enjoyed our time at the Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary. My favourites were the sugar gliders (see next page). You will see possums, spotted tailed quolls and eastern quolls, an assortment of birds, wombats and tasmanian devils and loads more...
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TASMANIAN
WILDLIFE
POSTCARDS
TASMANIAN WILDLIFE POSTCARDS 85c each or 10 postcards for only $8.00 Postage paid within Australia Payment accepted via PayPal To order please email andrea@taswildliferescue.com.au
Our resident vet is a veterinarian with a keen interest in wildlife. Meet Colette Harmsen
Ask Colette I heard when trying to rescue wildlife - especially kangaroos, they can suffer from Capture Myopathy? What is this?
Colette: This is a fantastic website which i have gleaned a short summary for capture myopathy: http://www.ozarkwild.org/ myopathy.php Capture myopathy is also known as exertional rhabdomyolysis or stress myopathy, and it is a condition particularly of kangaroos but also may affect other macropodids and other species. It is a complicated disease with multiple causes which results in death in many cases. The two main causes of capture myopathy are exertion and anxiety and these are usually as a result of the animal being stressed by a wide range of factors. Some causes include: loud noises such as bulldozers, gun shots, motor vehicle engines, jack hammers, fireworks, explosive devices, shouting; being pursued by motor vehicles such as trailbikes, being ‘rounded up’ and then corralled (eg by roaming dogs), high environmental temperatures, the use of some sedatives such as xylazine and also fear associated with Tas Wildlife Rescue Magazine
restraining a sick or injured animal. There are 4 types of capture myopathy: peracute, acute, subacute and chronic. Peracute capture myopathy can cause death in minutes due to release of potassium from damaged muscles causing heart failure. Acute capture myopathy causes death in 24 to 48 hours and causes staggering and muscle rupture. Subacute capture myopathy causes muscle damage and kidney damage and the animal is often lying in an awkward position. Death occurs after a couple of days and the urine may be dark brown in colour. Chronic capture myopathy can cause death days or even months after the event and death is sudden due to a heart attack. Prevention is by far the best method of containing this disease. Avoidance of known and possible stressors should be practised when handling all macropods. Treatment is not frequently successful due to the severity of the disease. Sedation and intravenous fluids are essential. Kangaroos are particularly
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susceptible to this condition, and our experience suggests that it much more common than previously thought. Do brushtail possums really carry a disease called Tuberculosis? If so, what is it and as a carer how do I avoid getting it?
Colette: Tuberculosis has never been reported in Australian brushtail possums (Trichosurus vulpecula). Only brushtail possums in New Zealand have been found to be infected with tuberculosis which is caused by the Mycobacterium bovis bacterium (M. bovis). Cattle are the natural hosts of M. bovis and Australia has been free from tuberculosis since 2002 after a long running eradication program. What is the difference between a Brushtail Possum and a Ringtail Possum?
The ringtail possum (Pseudocheirus peregrinus) is a common marsupial which lives in a variety of habitats and eats a variety of leaves of both native and introduced plants, as well as flowers and fruits. It
is strictly nocturnal and strongly arboreal and constructs a nest called a drey. Females give birth between April and November, usually to two young which remain in the pouch for about four months. After this time the young often ride on the mothers back. Ringtail possums have a long coiled tail with short hair and a white tip. The brushtail possum (Trichosurus vulpecula) is nocturnal and semi-arboreal marsupial and is common in all states and territories of Australia. It is larger than the ringtail possum and less wary of humans and adapts well to urban living. As the name suggests, they have a rather furry tail and they come in four colour variations: silver grey, brown, black and gold. Remember that brushtail possums, like all Australian wildlife species, are protected by law and cannot be taken, trapped or killed except by permit.
Send in your question to Colette the Vet Email to: andrea@taswildliferescue.com.au Page 57
Funnies Section
“Squeekie” is a juvenile Eastern Grey Kangaroo. “I am not giving up my dummy (pacifier) for anyone. And it is coming to the big paddock with me.” Tas Wildlife Rescue Magazine
I couldn't understand why we kept losing dummies. 12 months later I would find them when I was weeding the big paddock. By Terri Eather.
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Andrea Devos
The Parrot and the Repairman
The Elderly Snake
A woman's dishwasher had stopped working so she called a repairman. He couldn't accommodate her with an evening appointment, and since she had to go to work the next day, she told him, "I will leave the key under the mat. Fix the dishwasher, leave the bill on the counter, and I'll mail you a cheque. By the way don't worry about my rottweiler but whatever you do under no circumstances talk to my parrot". When the repairman arrived at her apartment the next day, he discovered the biggest and meanest looking rottweiler he had ever seen. Like she had said, the dog just lay there on the carpet, watching the repairman go about his business. However the whole time he was there, the parrot drove him nuts with its incessant squawking and talking. Finally the repairman couldn't stand the parrot's talking any longer and he told the parrot to be quiet. The parrot replied,"Get Him, Brutus!"
An old snake goes to see his doctor about his eyes. He says,"doctor, I need glasses as I don't see well these days". The doctor fixes him up with a pair of glasses and asks him to return in two weeks. The snake comes back and tells the doctor he is feeling really depressed. The doctor says, "What's the problem? Didn't the glasses help you?" "The glasses are fine doc. I just discovered I've been living with a water hose the past two years!" We pay $10 for every wildlife/animal joke or funny story entered in the Funnies Section. If you have a funny photo and explanation, we will pay you $25. Email to us directly at andrea@taswildliferescue.com.au Please put the subject as Funnies Section
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What to do with a Wiggling Wombat Linda Dennis is proud to present the two hour course, What to do with a Wiggling Wombat, a Fauna First Aid lecture. There are two sessions of "Wiggling Wombat", one for pre-schoolers and one directed at children in infants and primary school.
Fauna First Aid
Although titled "Wiggling Wombat" the course covers all native animals including birds, kangaroos, reptiles, koalas and of course wombats!
The Program
The course includes the following topics: • What do you do if you come across a wiggling wombat in distress? • How does your mum or dad pick up a wiggling wombat? • What do you feed a wiggling wombat?
Fauna First Aid is a wildlife lecture program that Linda established in 2004. The lectures are aimed at wildlife carers, veterinary nurse students, schools and community groups. Fourth Crossing Wildlife is incredibly proud to announce that the Australian Geographic Society supports Fauna First Aid. Linda could not be more honoured to receive this support and thanks the Australian Geographic Society from the bottom of her heart. The support, donations and sponsorship from the Australian Geographic Society will help Linda teach the public – adults and children alike – how to correctly handle native animals that have been injured or are in distress which will help prevent the animal and the handler from being injured during contact. If you are interested in learning more about the Fauna First Aid lectures, or would like to book a session then please email Linda at linda@fourthcrossingwildlife.com.
In the fun filled program Linda shares stories of some of the native animals that have been in her care over the 10 years she's been a wildlife carer. The inaugural "Wiggling Wombat" at Trinity Preschool in Orange, NSW
There was also a "take a wild guess" competition using photographs and the wonderful native animal soft toys that were donated to the program by the Australian Geographic Society and Mink Plush (a Division of TomFoolery Holdings Pty Ltd). Bookmarks featuring native animals, and chocolate Freddo Frogs, Caramello Koalas and Fruity Frogs are given as prizes. During the competition Linda also displayes how to properly handle a native animal so that the handler and the animal are not injured. She also advises what the "nasty bits" are in each animal species, such as claws and teeth (and in the male Platypus’ case – the poisonous spurs!).
Class photo at Trinity Preschool
The two hour long presentation has the kids transfixed and keen to learn more. An eight page booklet titled "What to do with a Wiggling Wombat" is also eagerly received. This mini-manual, which details correct handling technique, is distributed to all students for them to take home and share with their families. The Fauna First Aid program is not only fun for participants but also educational and in the long run our precious native animals will benefit from Linda's knowledge sharing.
Class K12 group photo, Gum Flat Public School
The more the community knows about rescuing and providing short term care for native animals the better. And in the end, from a combined community effort, there will be more animals that are received into care and rehabilitated by experienced wildlife carers, resulting in more animals being returned to the bush… which is exactly where they belong. If you would like to book a Fauna First Aid session for your school or community group please contact Linda at linda@fourthcrossingwildlife.com.
Fourth Crossing Wildlife is supported and sponsored by the Wildlife Preservation Society of Australia - they do a lot to support my work
Trowunna Wildlife Park
Trowunna has been conserving and rehabilitating native Tasmanian wildlife since 1979 and we have successfully rehabilitated countless orphaned native wildlife such as wombats, Tasmanian devils, quolls and a variety of birds to name a few. Trowunna has been operating successful breeding programs, specifically Tasmanian Devils and quolls for over the past 25 years. Trowunna’s Devil population is of highest priority due to the breeding success since 1985 and is recognised as one of the longest continuous breeding programs of any species in the world under studbook conditions. 1892 Mole Creek Road, Mole Creek, Tasmania 7304
Telephone: +61 3 6363 6162 Fax: +61 3 6367 6213 E-mail: info@trowunna.com.au
Platypus in Care Have you seen the great book ‘Rescued!’ Here is one of 43 stories in this book – purchase a book today for only $19.95 and help support wildlife carers and their babies today! Order your copy by emailing us here at the Tas Wildlife Rescue Magazine – andrea@taswildliferescue.com.au
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his juvenile platypus is currently in care at Wildlife Mountain having been found on the bank of a creed, unresponsive and covered in ticks. Mandy found this little male in the afternoon, and called for help. He was taken to the Lismore vet clinic for treatment for the ticks, and also given fluid for dehydration. The following morning it because apparent that he was also suffering from pneumonia, and was then treated for that. He was initially tube-fed, as he was too weak to eat by himself. Platypus has finally been released after 15 days in care. He was tube-fed for about a week, before the antibiotics took care of his pneumonia, then he started to gain strength and was able to self-feed. Finding food that he would actually eat was a challenge in itself; he would turn his bill up at just about everything he was supposed to like, but we did eventually find his favourite – small crayfish. It became a daily trek down to the creek nearby, to find these crayfish. That was not too hard as there
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are plenty down there, and we came up with a successful way of catching them. Housing a platypus was something we had never had to do before, so a new enclosure was constructed in a hurry. This became a challenge, as he required an enclosure different from anything we had previously used for animals in care. He needed a burrow, complete with resting and sleeping nest at one end, and access to the water at the other. Help was at hand from David Fleay’s Wildlife Park in SE Queensland, where they had raised platypuses in the past, We were instructed on how to make an enclosure, and how to set it up – which we did, and Platypus loved it, Here he was able to go for a swim and hunt for food, which we put in each day. Having food in a small area meant that the water had to be changed daily, and new food supplied. One of the pictures with this story shows him in his enclosure, about to enter his constructed burrow. To show you what happens when you are dealing with animals that live in the bush, another picture shows our
Wildlife Mountain resident carpet python looking out from the roof on what is happening. Nothing much escapes his attention, which is why we must ensure all animals have enclosures that are totally snake-proof. An easy meal would be very much appreciated by our local friend, but he has to catch his own, and in the bush there is never a shortage of food for a hungry python. As long as it is not our sick or orphaned charges he stalks, he is left to his own devices. Releasing Platypus was a great experience. Having had him in care for this amount of time, the release time had to be chosen carefully. An overcast day was chosen, so that there would be less moonlight, and hence fewer predators. Light rain had fallen during the morning. We took him to the release site early in the afternoon. As I put him on the rocks by the creek, it was only a few seconds before he slid in, his excitement clearly visible as he made his way through the water, staying close to the bank, his bill searching out food. He came back to me a few times, then he entered the deeper water, and once having assured himself that he Page 61
was indeed free, he did not come close to me again. I can imagine him thinking, ‘she is not going to put me back in that enclosure. I’m staying out of her reach.’ We stayed and watched him for quite some time, until he made his way up a slight slope on the embankment and disappeared into the reeds. He stuck his beak into the water a few times, cleaning his cheek pouches of food scraps as they do after eating, and then he disappeared. We decided to leave him in peace to enjoy his freedom. Having the experience of caring for this unique animal has been a privilege, one I will treasure. They rarely come in to care, and when they do their injuries are often so severe that they cannot be saved. Being able to help this little fellow back in the wild was such a pleasure, and we have in the process learnt so much, having spoken to some very dedicated people helping these animals survive in an ever-decreasing natural environment. I would like to thank staff from Fleay’s Wildlife Park in SE Queensland, and staff from Australia Zoo, who were a great help with information on how to care for this platypus, and how best to release him. Is there anything we can do to help these animals survive in the future? Yes. Where possible, leave trees or other vegetation around creeks, Tas Wildlife Rescue Magazine
waterholes and dams. If clearing willows, resist the temptation to ‘clean up the river’, and make sure blackwood, tea tree or other plants replace them. Keep farm or household chemicals such as pesticides away from areas where the platypus may be found. Do not use pesticides if there is a chance of rain, as they may be washed into creeks before they have soaked in. Use bridges rather than culverts on new tracks or roads. The platypus will not swim through culverts, as the water flow is too uniform. They will cross the road instead and are often hit by traffic while doing so. Wildlife Mountain – www.wildlifemountain.com
ROBIN WINGRAVE Natural History Artist
Sugar Glider Limited edition print (Without matting) - $70.00 Limited edition print (matted) - $90.00
A portfolio of finely detailed graphite pencil drawings or watercolour and oil paintings depicting the natural world of Australia. Available for purchase direct from the artist.
Send in your story and receive a free Kangaroo Footprints book and silver bookmark!! Email to: andrea@taswildliferescue.com.au
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www.robinwingrave.com winart26@gmail.com 03 6334 9261
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ADVERTISEMENT
Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary
HOW TO BECOME A F.O.C MEMBER TODAY!
Wildlife Rescue Training Sessions
7KH ) 2 & :LOGOLIH 3URJUDP LV 7DVPDQLD¡V ILUVW DQG RQO\ KU YROXQWHHU ZLOGOLIH DVVLVWDQFH VHUYLFH ) 2 & VWDQGV IRU œ)ULHQGV RI &DUHUV )ULHQGV RI &ULWWHUV )UHH RI &KDUJH¡ 7KLV VHUYLFH LV SULYDWHO\ IXQGHG HQWLUHO\ by Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary.
WE NEED MORE WILDLIFE RESCUE VOLUNTEERS! x
The F.O.C has taken over 1500 wildlife rescue calls in its first 12 months of operation. We need 1000 more volunteers state-wide.
We have some more training sessions scheduled so please read the info below! If you haven’t done so already please book in for one of the sessions so you can start actively getting involved in the program.
Could you be a wildlife rescuer? We have people working full-time, families, uni students and retirees on our rescue team. Everyone can help somehow; if you are unsure contact us!
The training sessions are run so that our FOC members learn everything to do with wildlife rescue and transportation and how to make a rescue kit. You MUST attend one training session before you can help out with animal rescues. This is for your own safety and the safety of the animals that you are rescuing. We need as many of you trained as possible to get the program working even more effectively so please try hard to find a session that suits you and book in.
All you need to do is: x x x x
x
Give Bonorong your contact details and receive an email about the next scheduled F.O.C training session. Attend a F.O.C rescue training session at Bonorong (Remember training is free of charge) You are then put on our rescue database and you will receive text messages when animals need help in your area. If time allows and you feel like doing the rescue you can volunteer to help. This is not raising wildlife; it is simply rescuing and transporting the animal to where it needs to go. When any wildlife carers need help you will receive group emails for working bees and if you are free, you can volunteer to help them and their wildlife.
Every month we have training sessions. (Please note – training sessions are all the same so you are only required to attend one.) Contact bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary for next training sessions - phone: 03 6268 1184. The training sessions run for approximately 2 hours 15 minutes and there is no cost involved. Please bring along a note pad, pen and warm clothes! (This is if you are coming to an evening session, it can be chilly at Bonorong!) All sessions are run at Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary in the ‘Bush Tucker Shed’, or occasionally we run a session at UTAS usually in the Life Sciences Lecture Theatre in Sandy Bay. If the course you book in for is at Bonorong then when you arrive at Bonorong please park your car in the top car park (not the first one you get to) as far up as possible. The building at the top end of this car park is the bush tucker shed and there is an access door at the back of the building that people will be able to use when they arrive. If you choose a UTAS course then you will be given directions about one week before the date once we have confirmed what room we will be using.
It is as simple as that! This program is not designed to overload anyone and no experience is required. It is for people that have too many commitments to raise wildlife but still want to help our amazing animals in some way. A lot of people doing a little can make a big difference.
For more info contact Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary on 62 68 11 84 or email petra@bonorong.com.au
Please RSVP for a training session via return email or by phoning Bonorong on 6268 1184. Children are welcome and you may bring along interested family members or friends as long as you include them in your RSVP.
) 2 &SURWHFWLQJ 7DVPDQLD¡V :LOGOLIH
If you have any questions please do not hesitate to ask. We look forward to hearing from you soon! Visit us at 593 Briggs Road, Brighton, Tasmania 7030
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Platypus Rescue A
recent platypus rescue gave the FOC team from Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary a tricky puzzle to solve. Why did the platypus cross the road? That was the question that Greg Irons from Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary was asking himself after receiving a rather strange call recently. In wildlife rescue you never know what to expect, he explained: “A man rang us up and told us that his daughter has just seen a platypus wandering across Churchill Avenue, in the middle of Sandy Bay.” Platypi are notoriously shy and will generally go to great lengths to avoid being anywhere near people. “Often we get calls that are not quite what they seem,” said Greg. Members of the public will often identify a species incorrectly. It was with this in mind that Greg, with a healthy dose of scepticism, gave his mum and dad a call. “Baz and Di live just round the corner and I thought that it would be better have them check it out rather than wasting a rescuer’s time on a wild goose chase.” Sure enough when they arrived, they discovered a big, healthy, male Tas Wildlife Rescue Magazine
platypus making his way towards the University. Guided by her son on the phone, Di manoeuvred the confused monotreme into a plastic tub. They then clipped on the lid of the box and started to drive home. But the platypus was not going anywhere without a fight. Showing immense strength he broke open the clips on the box and nearly escaped in the car. This lead to a comical scene, with Baz (Greg’s dad who has been terrified of animals since one of Greg’s wombats bit him years ago) had to sit on top of the box to keep the grumpy platypus inside. After assessing the platypus, Greg found nothing wrong with it at all. The plot was thickening. “We had a long chat to Patsy at Nature Conservation Branch,” said Greg. “We really couldn’t figure out how it got there. There was just no good habitat for a platypus anywhere nearby.” “Then we thought back to the night before and realised that there had been a big storm.” The theory was that the poor bloke had been sucked down a storm water drain and deposited into the suburbs.
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Karl Mathieson
Eventually, one of the FOC rescuers, Matt Barwick, came up with a solution. He used Google Earth to map storm water inlets and outlets and find the watercourse most likely to be the nomadic creature’s home. He then walked in and scouted the site. “It was a great group effort,” he said. “With multiple parties involved
from its sighting, all the way through to the release a short time later, of which I was lucky enough to have the honour. It was around midnight when we coaxed him into a quiet pool settled in the rainforest and I think it's safe to say there haven't been many people able to have such an experience.”
When Matt Barwick visited Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary for a University field trip, the 24 year-old could never have guessed that he would discover a new and all-consuming passion – wildlife rescue. Two years ago Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary began inviting members of the public to take part in wildlife rescue training. From those initial few courses, the FOC Wildlife Program has raised a veritable army of volunteer wildlife rescuers – nearly 500 of them in fact. “We really had no idea how quickly it would take off,” says Bonorong Director Greg Irons. “This is an absolutely massive team effort. It’s about a whole community coming together and saying ‘the roadkill on our road is our responsibility and we are going to do something about it’. Everyone doing a little bit is making this possible.” “A big part of its success,” he says, “is that people really enjoy doing the rescues. They don’t see it as a chore
and it is not an obligation. You can give as little or as much time as you want.” Matt did his first rescue in July 2010. Since then he has completed 123 rescues. “Matt has been unbelievable,” says Greg. “When I put out a call for rescuers I usually haven’t even put the phone down before Matt is calling to say he can help. I’ve had to start screening his calls to give everyone else a go! He obviously just loves helping out. It is the perfect example of how much someone can get from being involved with the program.” He has also decided to get into caring. “I see this as one of the greatest long-term benefits of the FOC,” says Greg. “We get people involved with animals on a small scale and they can’t get enough. Pretty soon they decide that they want to start looking after animals full-time. Getting more people into the caring community can only be a good thing for Tassie’s wildlife.” Page 64
Matt was happy to answer some of Tas Wildlife Rescue’s questions: How did you get involved in wildlife rescue? It started with a field trip to Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary for a University unit. Greg Irons took us on a tour of the park and then offered the group a chance to become rescue volunteers. I am pleased to say that most of us signed up immediately. Had you ever done anything like it before? Nothing even close. Anyone thinking of joining the program can rest assured no previous experience is necessary. Greg, Petra and the rest of the Bonorong team have looked after me every step of the way and they answer all my stupid questions with infinite patience (even in the middle of the night!) You are the keenest bloke out there, what is it about the rescues that you love so much? Each rescue is a different adventure. I get to see such amazing animals and meet people who genuinely care. What has been your favourite rescue? That's a difficult one. The rescues I enjoy the most are catching and relocating healthy animals that have ended up in suburbia. The rescue I have felt most proud about was a large Bennetts wallaby in west Hobart that had been hit by a car and was missing a leg. If the FOC didn't exist it would have suffered for days until it died from either the trauma or dehydration by the side of the road. Greg said that you finally achieved the perfect week, tell me about it... The perfect week: at least one rescue Tas Wildlife Rescue Magazine
a day for seven days. The thought occurred to me when I had four rescues in a row back in October, I ended up having about ten rescues that week but I missed a day in between. It wasn't until a couple of weeks ago that I managed to satisfy the criteria. Perhaps now I'll go for the perfect month. How do you cope with seeing injured animals on an almost daily basis? It's important to focus on the positives. To me it's about limiting the stress and pain the animal is subjected to and the more I can do that the greater I deem my success in the rescue. On occasion we get endangered wildlife like Devils and Swift Parrots where you know your work is having a profound effect, then there is the orphan side of the rescues and I've not met a joey yet that didn't make me smile. What do your friends and family say about your rescue missions? Mostly they can't get a word in edge ways. I'm too busy yammering on about my latest rescue. Anything you'd like to add about the FOC Program? I can't say enough good things about the program and all those who run and support it, including the vets and carers. I can honestly say I have never met a group of people more kind and dedicated, a day when I get to do a rescue is a great day. I'd like to specifically thank those members of the public that take the time to call and report the injured wildlife. We can only help those animals that we know about.
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Vote for your favourite story Please choose between: Page 7 Page 22 Page 24 Page 28 Page 30
Cecilia’s Story Amazing Feathertails Tiny the Planigale Wilma of Minton Farm We Didn’t Give Up on our Tawny Frogmouth Owl
The winner wins a copy of ‘Puggle’ by Catriona Hoy. Email your choice to andrea@taswildliferescue.com.au
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Rare Gouldian Finch Found on Dampier Peninsula
WWF Australia
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breeding population of the rare Gouldian finch, one of Australia’s most endangered birds, has been found north of Broome by indigenous rangers and environment groups. In an exciting find for local conservation, the Bardi Jawi and Bard Jawi Oorany Rangers working with WWF-Australia and Environs Kimberley recently discovered several Gouldian finch populations on the Dampier Peninsula, highlighting the importance of continued conservation efforts in the rich, diverse region. “We sighted the Gouldian finches a couple of weeks ago whilst undertaking weed control and decided we needed to have a concerted look in areas that we knew they had been seen before by our old people,” said Bardi Jawi ranger Trevor Sampi. “It was great to find more of them. We always knew they were there.” The striking, vibrantly coloured species is now threatened across its Red-headed Gouldian finch
©2012 Mike Fidler Tas Wildlife Rescue Magazine
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©2012 Mike Fidler / WWF-Aus Gouldian finch inspecting a tree hollow. Intense fires could destroy trees that provide suitable nesting hollows
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entire range and less than 2,500 adult birds currently survive in the wild. The species also has very specific habitat requirements, both in terms of the plants it feeds on and the areas in which it breeds, making conservation of suitable habitats for the colourful,
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iconic finch vital. “Now that we know this species is breeding on the Peninsula, we need to find out where they are breeding and whether there is anything we can do to halt the species’ decline,” said Dr Alexander Watson, WWF-Australia’s
Kimberley Program Manager. “It’s exciting to be working with rangers and to find a breeding population of Gouldian finches utilising refuges such as monsoon vine thickets and unburnt woodland. It shows how important it is to continue Page 67
Š2012 Mike Fidler / WWF-Aus Close up, Gouldian finch drinking from a waterhole
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to care for land and improve fire management on the Dampier Peninsula,� said Louise Beames, Environs Kimberley Projects Coordinator. Previously there have been few sightings of the Gouldian finch on the
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Dampier Peninsula, however, the recent field work by the Indigenous rangers revealed juvenile birds were among the population, marking it as a breeding ground. Flocks of thousands of Gouldian finches have disappeared over the past
50 years. The reason for the decline is not known, although scientists hypothesise that altered fire regimes, cattle, and throat parasites are contributing factors. A large pet trade that captured and sold wild birds is also thought to have had a significant Page 68
Š2012 Mike Fidler Gouldian finch in the Kimberley, Western Australia
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impact on finch numbers although it was banned in the mid-1980s. Traditional knowledge and skills are playing an essential role in sustainable land management in the Kimberley. The Bardi Jawi Rangers continue to work on habitat
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conservation projects in the area with WWF-Australia and Environs Kimberley. This partnership utilises local knowledge and cultural heritage to appropriately monitor and manage this striking endangered species.
Thanks to WWF for their great article – visit them at www.wwf.org.au
Send in your story and receive a free Kangaroo Footprints book!! Email to: andrea@taswildliferescue.com.au
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Š2012 Mike Fidler Female and male Gouldian finches (left to right)
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Š2012 Mike Fidler Gouldian finch near Wyndham (WA)
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Š2012 Sarah Pryke Gouldian finches females morphs
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Š2012 Mike Fidler Gouldian finch pair perched
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Š2012 Mike Fidler / WWF-Aus Gouldian finches, amongst other birds, drinking from a waterhole
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Š2012 Mike Fidler / WWF-Aus Black-headed Gouldian finch
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Elizabeth Cogley – Australian Wildlife Artist Badger Creek - Platypus Entered in the 2003 Wildlife Art Society of Australasia Annual Exhibition Size 75 cm x 44 cm – Prints Available Please contact the artist Elizabeth Cogley for enquiries regarding prints:- liz@ozwildart.com
Painting Badger Creek
Liz Cogley
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"The keepers at Healesville Sanctuary kindly helped me with the reference material for the platypus. It was such a privilege to be able to see them so closely and to learn a little about them from the keepers. The background for the painting was gathered from Badger Weir, Healesville. (It is not far from the Sanctuary and is such a beautiful area Tas Wildlife Rescue Magazine
with it's ancient fern gullies, the beautiful Badger Creek and mighty Mountain Ash trees.) Badger Creek runs though Healesville Sanctuary. The original artwork is now hanging in the Animal Hospital in Healesville Sanctuary” Elizabeth was born in Melbourne, Australia and has been an established award-winning artist for many years.
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When Elizabeth paints the Australian bush the painting takes her to where our beautiful wildlife lives. “I can smell the Eucalypts and the earth, feel the warm air or the cool of the mist, the bark of a tree or a patch of moss.” http://www.ozwildart.com Email: liz@ozwildart.com
lizabeth works in mixed media and pays particular attention to detail. Elizabeth has a Diploma in Art/Design and has received several awards in the Wildlife Art Society of Australasia’s annual exhibitions and many other exhibitions around Australia. Depending on the environment, a choice of airbrushing, pastel or acrylic, or a combination of these, is used. Each painting usually begins with layers of watercolour then more detailed work follows in pencil and finally gouache to pick up the detail. On occasion, she has also used oil on canvas. Each piece of work takes an average of four weeks to complete. Larger paintings can take up to four months to complete. Are you a wildlife painter, drawer or photographer? Would you like to tell us your story? Contact us today andrea@taswildliferescue.com.au
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The Devil’s Playground 1
Andrea Devos
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Deep inside a devil’s lair, hidden cameras reveal the never-before-seen life of a Tasmanian Devil. Amazing infrared cameras capture the mother giving birth to rice grain size babies.
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This is a unlucky joey who has not been able to find the entrance to the pouch and is heading the wrong way. He will drop off or be licked up by the mother when she is cleaning herself.
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These tiny rice grain size joey’s must search for the mothers pouch to survive. Tas Wildlife Rescue Magazine
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30-40 joeys are given birth to only those who can find their way through the maze of hair and into the pouch will survive and then their will only be a maximum of 4 survivors as there are only 4 teats. v1n2.1
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We have limited copies of this amazing DVD at $40 each – all proceeds will go to buying milk supplements for Wildlife Carers in need. 5
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This time only 2 joeys found their mothers pouch and this film shows the wonderful growth and interaction with each other and their mother.
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The two beautiful babies now are teething and they like to chew their mothers tail and ears. Tas Wildlife Rescue Magazine
When the mother goes hunting she leaves the pups alone – they play in absolute silence so that predators are unaware that they are home and alone.
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This is a wonderful DVD as it continues in the upbringing and finally the independence of these two lovely baby Tasmanian devils. Page 79
Tasmania Zoo Keeper For A Day
Fawna WA
Jeff Falconer
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awna W.A. is a non profit organisation and we have approx 100 members in the south west of the state and are currently working hard on rescuing and rehabilitating wildlife from the bushfires around Margaret River and still have the Nannup fires to work on (50,000 to 70,000 hectares all up). The amazing thing is the support we have also had by non members in volunteering to help. We have also found considerable frustration as the authorities have kept us out (for safety reasons) and so the majority of wildlife in these areas have perished. We have done many rescue walks with up to 40 volunteers at a time in areas we could get onto, but sadly much had already perished. Many possums are in care and though many animals had to be put down, awareness has been raised at least relating to prescribed burn dangers and also preparedness. We have a need for an emergency response trailer and are fundraising to achieve this. Our webpage has much in the way of updates: www.fawna.com.au We invite people to follow us on facebook: www.facebook.com/fawna.wa Jeff Falconer President FAWNA
Jeff rescuing a python found during the rescue operation of the bushfires around Margaret River. Tas Wildlife Rescue Magazine
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Are you 17 years of age and over? Are you passionate about animals? Then don't miss out on this great experience and become a Keeper for a Day at Tasmania Zoo. As a Keeper For A Day you will have the fantastic opportunity to spend a day behind the scenes of Tasmania Zoo. A Tasmania Zoo Keeper will observe with you our animals’ behaviours, prepare the food according to the daily dietary requirements, feed the animals, groom and look after their natural habitat. Our Keepers have a huge treasure of knowledge about all our animals and we are happy to share them with you on the day. Without any doubt you can look forward to a remarkable experience and a memory for a lifetime. Be a Keeper For A Day today and have a Devil Of A Time at Tasmania Zoo! As a Keeper For A Day you will receive a great package which includes a high quality embroidered “Keeper For A Day” cap, a “Keeper For A Day” T-shirt, complimentary morning tea and a personalised “Keeper For A Day” certificate. Before making your booking, please ensure you have read, understand and can comply with our Terms and Conditions. Would you like to give “The Keeper For A Day” experience as a gift? Contact us and we will organise your “Keeper For A Day” gift voucher. Tasmania Zoo 1166 Ecclestone Road Riverside, Launceston Phone: 03 6396 6100 International: +613 6396 6100 www.tasmaniazoo.com.au
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Kimberley Wildlife Rescue K
imberley Wildlife Rescue Inc (KWR) is a non-profit organisation and a group of dedicated volunteers who provide wildlife care and rehabilitation to the wildlife in the Kimberley region of Western Australia. Kimberley Wildlife Rescue Inc is based at the Kimberley Vet Centre (KVC) in Kununurra, which is owned and run by Dr Sarah Brett. The team at KVC consists of two Veterinarians, five Vet Nurses, and various other volunteers and casual employees. The centre is always busy with either domestic or native animal patients and every one of the staff members are passionate about all animals, great or small. Kimberley Vet Centre provides the initial primary assessment of all rescued fauna and then administers appropriate medical and surgical care. All wildlife care given at the vet centre is primarily funded by Kimberley Vet Centre (KVC). The aim of the Kimberley Wildlife Rescue Inc is to return all healthy wildlife back to the wild, wherever possible. The wildlife once assessed then goes to the Lotterywest Hospital, Tas Wildlife Rescue Magazine
which was built at the Vet Centre. The hospital was all Lotterywest funded. It is an excellent air conditioned area, where the wildlife is treated in peace and quiet. It is fully equipped with hospital boxes, fridges and freezers for all the injured wildlife needs. Kimberley Wildlife Rescue Inc is currently in the process of building also a wildlife sanctuary called “Kununurra Wildlife Gardens� in Kununurra in order to improve their rehabilitation facilities and as an education centre for the general community. The wildlife sanctuary is also for wildlife that may not be able to be released back into the wild. KWR is happy to receive any orphaned, injured or sick wildlife. They treat all species of birds, from birds of prey to water birds, perching birds and parrots. They treat any reptiles (and yes, they have rescued and rehabilitated crocodiles!) and they have treated many different species of mammals, from joeys and bandicoots, to bats and sugar gliders. Please feel free to contact Kimberley Wildlife Rescue Inc if you require any information regarding
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memberships, wildlife care or help with rescued fauna, or if you just want to send them a comment. Kimberley Wildlife Rescue Inc. PO Box 1442 KUNUNURRA WA 6743 Ph/Fax: 08) 9169 1229 Mobile: 0438 015 881 Email: kimberleywildlife@westnet.com.au Kimberley Vet Centre PO Box 339 KUNUNURRA WA 6743 Ph/Fax: 08) 9169 1229 Mobile: 0407 691 229
Dr Sarah Brett
Dr Sarah Brett For over the past 21 years Kununurra Veterinarian Dr Sarah Brett has worked with passion and determination towards increasing public awareness and education in regard to both the decline of wildlife species in their natural habitat and the rise in numbers of sick and injured native species. A network of community volunteers has been established who give up their time to be carers for sick and injured wildlife to prepare them for re-release back into their natural habitat. Dr Sarah Brett is a remarkable, dedicated woman, dedicated to her community and the animals they bring to her for help. She loves animals, great and small, and she believes that as humans, we need to help our native species to thrive as they did once before. There team of dedicated volunteers help rescue injured and sick wildlife and rehabilitate them to give these animals a second chance of life. Dr Sarah Brett, recently won the CSBP Environmental Award in 2011, for her dedication to wildlife rescue and rehabilitation. Page 81
Reptile Rescue
Andrea Devos
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e were invited to attend the ‘Launceston Reptile Club’ and be a guest speaker about our new magazine Tas Wildlife Rescue E-Magazine. We walked away from that meeting having learned so much – we got to hold a 2 day old baby tiger snake – so cool… we also got to cuddle a blue tongue lizard – our son loved this because the blue tongue lizard was
happy to eat a snail out of his hand … My favourite was the beautiful – North Coast Python – bringing memories back to me of my own big girl (8 foot long) named ‘darling’ I had her in Queensland, oh how I miss her. Did you know that you can become a Reptile Rescuer? Ian Norton and his team from Reptile Rescue offer to train Tasmanian’s to be Reptile Rescuers.
MORE ABOUT REPTILE RESCUE: Reptile Rescue offers a comprehensive range of training programs covering snake phobias, DIY for land holders wishing to manage their snake issues, or recruitment for Reptile Rescue operatives wishing to join our network service provision relocating errant snakes. Our training course offers fundamental training management which includes physiology, snake behaviour, very comprehensive first aid and snake bite management and hands on training using specialised equipment developed with animal welfare as a prerequisite and security for the user. The course is available through Link Adult Learning or onsite anywhere in regional Tasmania. Minimum class numbers 6 to a maximum of 25 per class. Our program requires a full day to complete. Anyone wishing to undertake our training program can do so by emailing sally.wilson22@ gmail.com and registering your location, name and contact details. All names will be placed on our data base and you will be contacted when numbers reach the minimum criteria for class size as to the date and location the class will be held. Go to their website: www.snakehandlingequipment.com from here you can visit their blogspot too. Tas Wildlife Rescue Magazine
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Support the RSPCA Victoria Did you know they help domestic animals and our native wildlife? Please go to their shop and support them. To see my favourite products just click on the link and you will go directly to the web page:
Wildlife Calendar http://shop.rspcavic.org.au/ p-1338-australian-wildlifecalendar-2012.aspx
Wombat keyring http://shop.rspcavic.org.au/ p-1441-rspca-wombatkeyring.aspx
Ceramic roosters http://shop.rspcavic.org.au/ p-965-rocking-roosters.aspx
Owl glass case with microfibre cleaning cloth http://shop.rspcavic.org.au/ p-1302-glasses-case.aspx
Owl design eye mask http://shop.rspcavic.org.au/ p-1307-eye-mask.aspx
Wombat baby http://shop.rspcavic.org.au/ p-1157-wombat-baby18cm.aspx
Hot water bottle cover blue http://shop.rspcavic.org.au/ p-1240-hot-waterbottle-bluespot.aspx
Hot water bottle cover red http://shop.rspcavic.org.au/ p-1239-hot-waterbottle-redspot.aspx
Blue wren apron http://shop.rspcavic.org.au/ p-1260-blue-wren-apron.aspx
Blue wren oven mitts http://shop.rspcavic.org.au/ p-1262-blue-wren-ovenmitt.aspx
Blue wren teatowels http://shop.rspcavic.org.au/ p-1261-blue-wren-teatowels.aspx
Blue wren soap http://shop.rspcavic.org.au/ p-1263-blue-wren-soap.aspx
Blue wren shopping bag http://shop.rspcavic.org.au/ p-1264-blue-wrenshopper.aspx
Go to www.rspca.org or click on the links in blue
WPSA is the Wildlife Preservation Society of Australia - conserving Australia's precious wildlife for over 100 years. Their President Suzanne Medway warmly welcomed us (Tas Wildlife Rescue Magazine) and answered any questions we had. WPSA brings out an amazing magazine and also a fabulous monthly newsletter – so informative. I am proud to be a member of WPSA.org.au and I enjoy their beautiful magazines, they come out every 3 months.
If you want access to their magazine – for only $25 for a whole year you can sign on as an e-magazine member. Plus:- You can log online and download each issue going right back to 2004. Bonus:- You also get their great newsletter every month.
FOR MORE INFORMATION please contact our office on: Telephone within Australia: 02 9556 1537 • International: +61 2 9556 1537 Fax within Australia: 02 9599 0000 • International: +61 2 9599 0000 Email: info@wpsa.org.au Website: http://www.wpsa.org.au (click for direct access) Post: PO Box 42, Brighton Le Sands, New South Wales 2216, Australia
You can have FREE advertising in the Tas Wildlife Rescue magazine. Find out how!! Being a Tasmanian-based magazine we were startled when we received so many wonderful emails, facebook comments even phone calls from all over Australia commending us on our first issue of our new wildlife rescue magazine. Our small Tasmanian-based magazine went Nationwide with the first issue and so we have had to rethink how we can support Wildlife Carers, Wildlife Sanctuaries/Parks, Wildlife Organisations involved in the Care and Rescue of Australian Wildlife and have the magazine pay for itself. So Here We Go: AUSTRALIA-WIDE We invite all wildlife carers, wildlife sanctuaries/parks, wildlife organisations to send in stories about the rescue of one of your native
Australian wildlife (please include pictures for the magazine). We will place a small free editorial at the end of your article with live links to your website and contact details including a live email address - Absolutely Free. Plus we will send you a specially chosen book provided for that issue as a thank-you gift. This is a free way we can support you to be in our magazine and you in return are supporting us. Wildlife Carers, Wildlife Sanctuaries, Wildlife Parks, Wildlife Organisations are invited to sell products in the magazine in our classified ad section, normally there will be a fee of $25 per ad, however we can have this fee waived and you receive the ad for free by:
Magazine on your website. (Reciprocal links are available.) Put a mention of Tas Wildlife Rescue Magazine in your newsletter – you must include our email address andrea@taswildliferescue.com.au in your newsletter mail-out. If you are able to do only one of the above mentioned things then there will be a $12.50 fee for your classified ad. We hope that this way we will be helping each other and the money we raise will help support other wildlife carers in need.
Place a link for the Tas Wildlife Rescue
Full page, half page and quarter page ads are available at a discount for wildlife carers, wildlife parks, wildlife sanctuaries and wildlife organisations – please email us for these prices. andrea@taswildliferescue.com.au Tas Wildlife Rescue Magazine
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Proudly produced by
We invite you to support us with your wildlife stories – send them to me at andrea@taswildliferescue.com.au and receive a thank you book called ‘Kangaroo Footprints’. Advertise with us today – your ad is linked directly to your website – people can access you directly. Reach thousands of people. Please email me for advertising rates: andrea@taswildliferescue.com.au From all of us here at the Tas Wildlife Rescue Magazine we say goodbye and thank you for reading our second issue of our exciting new wildlife magazine!