Introduction
Wildcare Australia is
the registered trading name of the Australian Koala Hospital Association
Incorporated and was formed in late 1993 by Dr Jonathon Hanger.
It became an Incorporated Association and registered charity in
1994 and is listed on the Register of Environmental Organisations.
In June 1996 when the
government group of NAVOS folded, 3 carers (Eleanor Hanger, Gail
Gipp and Sharon White) decided to form their own volunteer carer’s
wildlife rescue operation. They started a 24-hour wildlife emergency
telephone service in SE Queensland. The area covered rapidly expanded,
reaching from the NSW border, west to Boonah and north to the
Logan River. A group ‘umbrella’ rescue permit was
established, enabling current registered Wildcare rehabilitators
to be able to rescue and rehabilitate sick, injured and orphaned
native animals for release back into natural habitat.
(Top
of Page)
Primary
Objectives
The primary aims and
objectives of Wildcare Australia are:-
- To provide a high
standard of rescue, care, rehabilitation for sick, injured,
orphaned and displaced native fauna for successful release into
the natural environment.
- For the protection
and enhancement of the environment by providing quality care
in Queensland for sick, injured, orphaned and displaced native
Australian wildlife.
- The conservation
of native fauna and their habitat Australia-wide, including
research on the biology and medicine of native fauna is also
of primary concern.
- To provide an educational
and consultancy service to schools and other organisations with
respect to habitat conservation and related issues
- To provide extensive
and up to date training for wildlife volunteers in all aspects
of wildlife care.
- To operate an professional
wildlife organisation in South-East Queensland which can be
contacted at any time by any person in the community needing
assistance with the care or rescue of native wildlife.
- To publish a newsletter
every 3 months and distribute it to current members and sponsors.
(Top
of Page)
Research
In 1996 to 1997 the ‘Wildcare
Koala Relocation Project’ was initiated to assess the viability
of relocating wild koalas from threatened areas on the Gold Coast
to secure habitat.
In 1998 the ‘Wildcare
Koala Monitoring Project’ was instrumental in studying relocated
wild koalas that were released in prime habitat on the Gold Coast.
This is an ongoing project today.
In 1998 the ‘Wildcare
Platypus Project’ provided a veterinary consultancy service,
assisting zoologists researching the health of platypus on the
Gold Coast.
From 1998 to 2001, Dr
Jon Hanger and Dr Jeff McKee provided the veterinary support for
a PHD Project in the Pine Creek State Forest (Coffs Harbour Area)
which looked at the affect of forest logging on the ecology of
the local koala population.
In 2003 a kangaroo management
plan at Sanctuary Cove Resort was instigated to help control the
population of Eastern Grey Kangaroos.
(Top
of Page)
Awards
In 1999 Wildcare received
a ‘Golden Gecko Award’ for its outstanding contribution
to conservation since its inception 1994. The Gold Coast Hinterland
Environmental Council (GECKO) is the peak environmental body on
the Gold Coast and receiving this award was a great achievement
for Wildcare.
In 2000 due to immense
support from voters in Australia and New Zealand, Wildcare won
second prize in the 1999 ‘Yowie Power’ Environmental
Awards receiving $15,000, which was donated by Cadbury-Schweppes.
In 2001 Wildcare won
its second ‘Golden Gecko Award’.
In 2002 Wildcare Australia
came runner up in the ‘Best Environmental Volunteers Group’
awards given by Volunteering Australia and at the same time Gail
Gipp (President of Wildcare Australia) won the best volunteer
award for her commitment to the environment which has spanned
over 20 years.
In 2003 Karen Scott (Wildcare
Treasurer) won a ‘Community Award’ for her commitment
as a volunteer to Wildcare Australia and the environment.
In 2003 Eleanor Hanger
(Wildcare Head Carer, Possum Coordinator and Newsletter Editor)
won a ‘Community Award’ for her commitment as a volunteer
to Wildcare Australia and the environment.
In 2003 Gail Gipp won
a ‘Golden Gecko Award’ for her commitment to the environment
and wildlife conservation.
In 2004, Karen Barney
won a ‘Community Award’ for her commitment as a volunteer
to Wildcare Australia and our native wildlife.
(Top
of Page)
Education
Since 1994, Wildcare
has given informative talks to local schools and community groups
about native animals of South East Queensland, conservation issues
and what the general public can do to help the environment every
day.
Since 1996, wildlife
and environmental workshops have been held, initially every three
months with guest speakers from various professional organisations
including Wildcare. They are open to all members of the community
and are a great way of educating people about native animals.
Nowadays, the educational schedule has activities most weekends
and apart from a few external experts, most are run by our own
experienced rehabilitators as their knowledge has grown over the
years.
In 1999 Wildcare Education
was established to provide high quality training courses in native
animal management. The ultimate goal was and still is to become
a registered training provider and to offer accredited training
programs nationally.
(Top
of Page) |
