MAY JUNE. newsletter of the native animal trust fund inc - Hunter Wildlife Rescue

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1 newsletter of the native animal trust fund inc - Hunter Wildlife Rescue. UPCOMING TRAINING 1 MEMBERS EVENTS CALENDAR 2 FOOD BANK 3 TORRESIAN CROW 4 UPDATED TRAINING CALENDAR 5 TRAVEL SUBSIDY 6,7 POWERFUL OWL WORKSHOP REPORT 8 MEMBERS STORIES 9 CODE OF PRACTICE 10 DOMESTIC CATS 11 MAY GENERAL BIRD COURSE Sat 17th and Sun 18th Wetlands Centre Conference Room 9AM - 3PM JUNE INTRO & BASIC RESCUE COURSE Sunday 8th Wetlands Centre Conference Room 9AM - 3PM WOMBAT COURSE Sunday15th Wetlands Centre Conference Room 9AM - 3PM RAPTOR COURSE Sat 28th and Sun 29th Wetlands Centre Conference Room 9AM - 3PM EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST - TREE & PLANT IDENTIFICATION COURSE Enquries to president@hunterwildlife.org.au

2 UPCOMING EVENTS MONTH EVENT DATE FURTHER DETAILS MAY Tocal Field Days Fri 2, Sat 3, Sun 4 Contact Audrey Koosmen General Bird Training Sat 17 & Sun 18 Training Calender on Page 5 Management Com. Meeting Monday 5 Contact Charmian or Audrey Building Working Party Monthly as required Contact Lisa Lowe JUNE Basic Rescue Training Sunday 8 Training Calender on Page 5 Wombat Training Sunday 15 Training Calender on Page 5 Raptor Training Sat 28 & Sun 29 Training Calender on Page 5 General Meeting Tuesday 17 Contact Charmian or Audrey MC Meeting Monday 2 Contact Charmian or Audrey AGM Monday 2 Wetlands Centre, time TBA JULY Possum & Glider Sunday 20 Training Calender on Page 5 MC Meeting Monday 7 Contact Charmian or Audrey CHANGES TO PREVIOUSLY PUBLISHED DATES EVENT OLD DATE NEW DATE FURTHER DETAILS RAPTOR Training May 3 & 4 June 28 & 29 Training Calender on Page 5 REPTILE Training October 18 October 11 Training Calender on Page 5 Photographs from Rescuer Robyn Leggett

3 The Food Bank is a way that members can have access to specialised foods for wildlife at subsidised rates. Bulk purchasing and the fact that the NATF receives GST refunds means you will pay a lot less that if you order the food yourself or the most expensive option purchase it from a pet shop. The subsidy is currently 50% if purchased via a Food Bank Coordinator (this increased in March 2014 from 30%). Additional items such as Lectade, Spark and other first aid and rehabilitation items may also be purchased through the Food Bank Coordinators. The Food Bank products were expanded to include fish for seabirds and mealworms and crickets for birds in March Phone the Foodbank Coordinators to discuss your needs. If they can t help you they will refer you to another Food Bank Coordinator who can. Members are responsible for making a time to collect the food from the Food Bank Coordinator and to pay correct amounts of money as requested by the Food Bank Coordinator. N.B. You will not be able to participate in the Food Bank if you do not submit your fauna data. The Management Committee is responsible for notifying the Food Bank Coordinator if a rehabilitator is not current with their fauna data submission. Lisa Lowe Valentine Biolac-m100 for possums only Biolac GOS M100 for unfurred joeys Charmian Eckersley Eraring Insectivore; Lorikeet mix; Granivore mix; Passwell Hand-rearing food; etc. Jan Hughes Cessnock Wombaroo Kangaroo Milk Judy Valler Medowie Wombaroo Kangaroo & Possum milk; lorikeet mix, Granivore Mix, Passwell Bird Hand Rearing food, Insectivore Anne Williams Medowie Divetelac; High Protein Mix Frozen rats and mice are provided by the University of Newcastle. There is only one Coordinator for collection/liaison with the UoN. Catherine Wroe Coal Point what is it? Be the first to correctly guess what this is and win a prize! your answer to secretary@hunterwildlife.org.au The nearest correct answer and winner will be published in the next Wildside.

4 From Charmian Eckersley A Torresian crow was picked up floundering on the corner of busy roads near Morisset by a member of the public and rescued by Ann Morgan on Wednesday 9 April. Its legs were not working and it had collapsed with its feet splayed outwards and body on the ground. It tumbled forward when trying to move. After a visit to the new vet at Edgeworth (who is thankfully doing NATF a very good deal on x-rays) the vets were pretty sure there were no broken bones pelvis or anywhere else. It is being given 0.09 ml Meloxicam anti-inflammatory and pain relief once a day. I was heartened by it starting to walk on the Saturday and have high hopes for its recovery now. It is a truly beautiful bird with hard, brilliant black feathers and an intelligent watchful eye very appreciative of the bounty delivered to him in the shape of mealworms and other delicacies. You can read more about this and other birds in the Corvidae family on the excellent Birdlife Australia websitehttp://birdlife.org.au/bird-profile/torresian-crow Grab a donated cage - various sizes available - and get started with your wildlife rescue or rehabilitation! Pickup from Charlestown, contact Linda 0422

5 NB - NO REGISTRATIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED AFTER THE CLOSING DATE FOR EACH COURSE, Thank You DATE, TIME & VENUE COURSE DETAILS LUNCH MAY SAT 17th & SUN 18th * 9.00am to 3.00 pm Wetlands Centre, Shortland Conference Room (downstairs) GENERAL BIRD COURSE Presented by Chris Lloyd Hand rearing, feeding and dietary, housing and husbandry in bird management, illness and disease, release. Beginners and advanced rehabbers. Open to members to upgrade their skills in bird rehabilitation. *Must attend both days to receive accreditation $22 PER PERSON COVERS BOTH DAYS REGISTRATIONS CLOSE 12 TH MAY JUNE SUNDAY 15th 9.00am to 3.00 pm Wetlands Centre, Shortland Conference Room (downstairs) JUNE (Revised date) SAT 28th & SUN 29th * 9.00am to 3.00 pm Wetlands Centre, Shortland Conference Room (downstairs) WOMBAT TRAINING Presented by Shirley Lack Rescue, hand rearing joeys and problems encountered in hand rearing, adult care and treatment, husbandry, feeding, housing and release. For beginners and advanced members. $22 PER PERSON REGISTRATIONS CLOSE 10TH JUNE RAPTOR TRAINING Presented by Chris Lloyd Covers rescue, hand rearing chicks and problems we meet in hand rearing, adult care and treatment, husbandry, feeding, housing and release. *Must attend both days to receive accreditation $22 PER PERSON COVERS BOTH DAYS REGISTRATIONS CLOSE 20TH JUNE JULY SUNDAY 20th 9.00am to 3.00 pm Wetlands Centre, Shortland Conference Room (downstairs) AUGUST SUNDAY 10th 9.00am to 3.00 pm Wetlands Centre, Shortland Conference Room (downstairs) SEPTEMBER SAT 13th & SUN 14th * 8.30am to 4.00 pm VRA Centre 55 South Ave, Cessnock (across from Cessnock TAFE) OCTOBER SATURDAY 11th 9.00am to 3.00 pm (Revised date) Wetlands Centre, Shortland Conference Room (downstairs) POSSUM & GLIDER TRAINING Presented by Audrey Koosmen Course will cover rescue, hand rearing, feeding, diet, husbandry, housing, housing, release. For beginners and advanced members. $22 PER PERSON REGISTRATIONS CLOSE 15 TH JULY FLYING FOXES AND MICROBATS Presented by NATF Bat Team Rescue, hand rearing, injuries, illness, housing of young and adults, release. For beginners and advanced members. $22 PER PERSON REGISTRATIONS CLOSE 4 TH AUGUST SNAKE HANDLING Presented by John Mostyn Venomous and non Venomous snakes and reptiles Handling Course is for beginners and advanced rescuers. Snake Hoop Bags and Hooks will be on sale on day at cost of $55 and books on reptiles will also be on sale over the weekend. *Must attend both days to receive accreditation $22 PER PERSON COVERS BOTH DAYS REGISTRATIONS CLOSE 8 TH SEPTEMBER Lunch cost for both days is $10 per person, please send in with your registration fee if you wish to order lunch CARE, TREATMENT & MANAGEMENT OF SICK, INJURED AND DISEASED REPTILES Presented by Dr David Vella The course is designed for beginners as well as advanced members covering diseases and illness found in reptiles, also injures that are seen, housing of sick and injured reptiles, treatment of such animals. It is many years since NATF has held such a course so all members approved to hold and rehab reptiles should please attended this course to renew your skills. $22 PER PERSON REGISTRATIONS CLOSE 6 TH OCT Catering for weekend OR you can bring your own. Please advise if Special Dietary needs JUNE Sunday 8th AUGUST Saturday 2nd OCTOBER Saturday 4th DECEMBER Saturday 6th INTRODUCTORY & BASIC RESCUE COURSES An interesting and informative one day course equipping members with the skills needed to safely rescue and transport a wide range of wildlife. New Members - membership fee covers the cost of this course, otherwise $22 PER PERSON REGISTRATIONS CLOSE 1 week prior to Course Date Revised Training Calendar current at time of publication

6 The Management Committee has recognised the financial burden some rescuers and transporters face in their commitment to help injured and orphaned wildlife in the service of Hunter Wildlife Rescue and has made a commitment to our volunteers to assist them by reimbursing a percentage of their fuel costs. While the Management Committee asks members who struggle to meet their commitments to take advantage of this offer, we at the same time ask members to realise that as an organisation that relies on public donations to operate we cannot accept unreasonable fuel claims as this will quickly exhaust available funds. The Management Committee will evaluate each claim on its merits and endeavour to assist members when appropriate. The Management Committee reserves the right to reject any claim it deems to be unreasonable, there will be no right of appeal. Please assist the Management Committee by only submitting a claim when it is absolutely necessary. The following information is to assist you in claiming your travel expenses whilst engaged in wildlife rescue or transport for the Hunter Wildlife Rescue Service. 1. Travel expenses will only be provided when the following conditions are met. a) Travel expense incurred while providing a service to Hunter Wildlife Rescue. b) The claimant shall be a financial member of Hunter Wildlife Rescue. c) The claimant is in possession of a current rescue or transporter card supplied by Hunter Wildlife Rescue. d) Be the holder of a current motor vehicle driving licence. 2. Travel expense will be paid at the following rate. a) 100% subsidy at a rate of 20c per km for members on Newstart, Austudy, or Pension or other low fixed income, or no income- i.e. underage while engaged in rescue and transport of wildlife and compliant with section 1 of rules. b) 50% subsidy at a rate of 20c per km for all other members engaged in rescue and transport of wildlife and compliant with section 1 of rules. 3. Reimbursement a) The reimbursement will be in the form of petrol vouchers up to the full amount claimed unless there is no voucher available at that amount (petrol vouchers only come in fixed amounts). The Treasurer will keep a record of any unpaid subsidy and this amount will be added to the next submitted claim.

7 4. How to lodge your claim Logbook or spreadsheet of kms kept has to be recorded, as per tax requirements, showing trip details such as date, person who raised call - i.e. Name of vet, name of phone operator, name of carer, (reference number when available) or MOP to be recorded for possible verification if required, start kms, end kms, kms travelled, reason for trip i.e. animal rescued or transported. See below Excel spreadsheet version of Travel Claim Form. This and a Word document format are available on the website. a. Fill in your Name, card number on top section of form b. Enter date of rescue c. Rescue origin box, enter how the rescue request originated, NATF emergency phone, enter name of operator, Vet surgery, Police, Other NATF rescuer if called to assist d. Rescue location box: enter suburb of rescue e. Destination box: enter where the animal was dropped off i.e. Rehabilitator s name, Vet surgery name, Taronga Park Zoo etc. f. Odometer start: record the kms on odometer g. Odometer finish: record the kms on odometer h. Total kms travelled: record the difference between (f) & (g) i. Enter Month of claim and total kms travelled in box provided at bottom of form j. Sign in box provided, Form to be signed prior to submitting to Treasurer Address claim form to: The Treasurer, Native Animal Trust Fund Inc. P.O Box 1052 Toronto, 2283 The form can also be ed to treasurer@hunterwildlife.org.au however you must include an electronic signature and from the address held for you on the Membership Database. Rescue log book revision 1 Page 1 NATIVE ANIMAL TRUST FUND Inc. HUNTER WILDLIFE RESCUE SERVICE Travel claim form Name of rescuer/transporter Card number... Card colour.. Rescue origin Odometer Odometer Date name of operator/ vet Rescue location Species Starting point Destination Carer/Vet name start finish Total km travelled Progressive total P1 0 Month of claim progressive total P2 Total km claimed 0 progressive total P3 Date Total km travelled 0 Signed how to sign electronic document? Office use only Date Approved Yes / No NOTE: Approved by column J has auto tally Kilometers this claim all numbers entered in colomn J will tally at Rate % Paid $ TOTAL on J21first sheet and J35 on second sheet Signed how to sign electronic document? Total for all sheets appear on left hand Total Kms claimed box C22

8 From Jill Dean It was good to see the NATF well represented at the recent Powerful Owl workshop conducted by Dr David Bains from Birdlife s citizen science Powerful Owl Project. While David s focus is mapping all the urban Powerful Owl breeding areas from south of Sydney to Newcastle, it was also a great opportunity to network with other environmentally focused community groups and do a little NATF promotion on the side. These workshops are invaluable to rehabilitators. They enable us to have a better understanding of wildlife ecology, population dynamics, habitat selection and natural behaviour including feeding, predator avoidance and social interactions for this one threatened species, the Powerful Owl and apply this knowledge to continually inform the development of best rehabilitation practice. As one NATF member stated, Sometimes our workshops are so broad, it has been good to just learn about one species. Powerful Owls, the largest of all Australasian owls, are arboreal, nocturnal feeders that are partial to a ringtail possum or two (61% of their diet), sleeping birds, gliders and even a brushtail possum or flying fox when available. Understanding the Powerful Owl s breeding cycle and the role of the male owl as sole provider for his mate and offspring chicks, the post dependency period of its fledgling young, helps us to make the right rehabilitation decisions when these birds come into care. Above: Powerful Owl in NATF member s backyard, Jewells From a simple fact, such as Powerful Owls, unlike their Boobook and Barn Owls cousins, don t come to ground to feed means that raptor rehabilitators need to present all food at height, avoiding the ground. Reciprocally, information from NATF can also provide important data to inform the research project. Good data collection like age, date and locality found and reason for coming into care can be mapped against the known nesting sites in the Hunter to see the range these birds cover and the breeding success of this threatened urban species. Thanks to David and his Powerful Owl Project, we can be in possession of appropriate knowledge and skills to ensure that the decisions we make as rehabilitators, guarantee the welfare of fauna in our care. (OEH Code of Practice for injured, sick and orphaned fauna, Objective 13). It is the cooperation forged between researcher and rehabilitator that will inform best rehabilitation practice for this iconic, threatened urban owl. It s a win-win for researcher, rehabilitator and of course, the long-term conservation of the Powerful Owl.

9 by Annette Rees It is dark. There is a full moon. Now, for next week s class I want you to write a story using all of your senses to describe what is happening around you. the tutor directed us, her new creative writing class. I stared at the screen. A blank Word document page had been staring back at me for days. Just write about what you know and let your self be there in the moment, I cajoled that other woman, the one who always wants to just give up. The words will come. It is almost midnight at Ellalong and the full moon is high in the sky, almost obscured by the remnants of an earlier storm. Occasional flashes of lightning promise a second front rumbling in across the Corabare range. I am about 10 metres from the fence in a depression flooded with run off from recent heavy rains, my gumboots half full of freezing water. I am holding an injured pelican. His body is tucked beneath my right arm and my left is holding his beak with one finger carefully inserted between his top and bottom bill to keep his mouth slightly open so he can breathe. Pulling myself back a little and looking at the scene before me I begin to question myself. Will the reader really want to know that a pelican may suffocate if its beak is held completely closed? Will anybody want to hear this story at all, and finally, where on earth am I going to find an adjective to describe the smell of that exquisite mix of swamp water, wet bird feathers and pelican shit? I realise that I may need a thesaurus. Three different field guides lay on the desk. They are open at photographs and drawings of pelicans. I don t trust my memory of the large, round pale eye with which the pelican regarded me. There seemed to be a benign intelligence in there, which I don t often see in a bird. A subtle mental shift has put me back in the water looking into that eye. Does he know that I am here to help him? His wing is obviously broken and whether he lives or dies depends on a complicated equation - where and how bad the break is, multiplied by what kind of outcome the vet expects, divided by how much the treatment will cost. I shift his weight onto my hip as large spots of rain begin to drop onto my glasses, which are already fogged up with condensation and sweat from the exertion of catching the bird. The air is getting that slightly metallic taste as it charges with static electricity from the fast approaching storm. It really is time to get out of here. How many times in the future will I say, You ve never lived until you have climbed through a barbed wire fence at midnight with a pelican tucked under your arm.? The cursor is still blinking, accusing me. My fingers flex slightly and move toward the keys. At last the words begin to appear on the screen.. From Lisa Lowe The diagnosis of Autism was so shattering. The thought of my little 3 year old not enjoying all the things life has to offer was heartbreaking. Then in 2004 when I started to care for Possums... a miracle happened Jordan (then 7years old) looked at a tiny 35g ringtail... My first rescue and crash test dummy, and smiled. We could not believe it! He was always looking at it, not saying much as he still couldn t talk more than a few words, and was in awe of this tiny bundle of fur. We called him Gunna cause he was gunna make it! By the grace of Mother Nature he made it was was successfully released in my bush yard. What a time. But wait... there s more! Jordan started to take an interest in all the marsupials I brought home, showing compassion which I was told was far beyond his reach with his condition. Jordan was upset when they died and helped me feed them and laughed along with the rest of us at these little creatures funny personalities. It continues to this day and it has now transferred to people (with a few nudges along the way) and sometimes actually inquires how an animal or even a person is doing if they are sick.it is a marvel and shows the love and grace from Nature can help us all. If only we could all follow their lead. They don t judge. They don t criticise. They don t abuse. They don t disrespect. They don t lie. They are just here to survive and appreciate all you can do for them and if it is to be... Die peacefully in your arms. They just take all the love and care you can give and throw it back to you double and leave your heart a little bigger and better each time. What an enormous honour it is! Yours in wildlife care and love of all that is good and kind in this world as it is worth fighting for. Lisa

10 This excerpt from the Code of Practice, under which we are all required to work, is included here to assist Members to become acquainted with its requirements, breaking down what is a large, daunting document into digestable sections. 11. Suitability for release Objectives To ensure that fauna is physically fit and possess the appropriate survival skills prior to its release. Preparations for release will start at the time of rescue and continue throughout the rehabilitation process. Many species will gradually lose their survival skills in captivity, so it is vital their time in care is kept to a minimum Standards Fauna must not be released until it is physically ready. This status has been achieved when: it has recovered from any injury and/or disease (e.g. locomotes normally) its weight and condition (i.e. body score) is within the appropriate range for that species, age and sex it has appropriate fitness levels as determined by both passive observation and active assessment (e.g. by encouraging the animal to exercise and noting recovery time) its pelage, plumage, scales or skin is adequate for survival in its natural habitat (e.g. waterbirds have water-proof feathers) it has acclimated to prevailing climatic conditions it exhibits salt tolerance (marine species only) Fauna must not be released until it is behaviourally ready. This status has been achieved when: it can recognise, catch and consume appropriate, naturally-available food it can recognise and successfully avoid predators (including pets) it is not attracted to humans (i.e. not humanised) or to sights, sounds or smells that are specific to captivity (i.e. not imprinted) it can navigate effectively through its natural environment it can recognise and interact normally with other members of the same species (social species only) Fauna s readiness for release must be confirmed by either a veterinarian or experienced fauna rehabilitator Guidelines Species that manipulate their physical environment (e.g. dig burrows or construct dreys) should begin to exhibit this behaviour prior to release.

11 Feral cats are considered an ecological disaster in Australia due to the annual predation of millions of small birds, reptiles and mammals as well as the spread of disease and parasites to wildlife. But what about the humble household moggie, the second most common companion animal in Australia, loved and owned by nearly a third of households? Sadly, these beloved pets that give so much back to their owners also have a dark side, killing an estimated 3.8 million native birds and animals annually (domestic cats only). Wildlife rescuers regularly attend to protected fauna, such as possums and birds with injuries ranging from the seemingly superficial but lethal to the horrific, often having to take injured wildlife straight to the vet for euthanasing after cat owners, who believe their pets are too well fed to hunt or shouldn t be restricted, allow their predatory pets out to roam at night. After dark these daytime darlings become stealthy predators, singularly covering a territory of several suburban backyards or more each night and collectively leaving in their wake the untold agony of many fatally injured wildlife. Additionally there is the torturous suffering of unfound orphaned wildlife young that die a slow tormented death by starvation or injury. Most, if not all rescuers and carers are familiar with the experience of rescued wildlife being euthanized or dying in their arms or on the way to the vet from cat attack injuries like a punctured lung, mutilated throat, limbs chewed off, untreatable spinal and/or neurological injury or bacterial infection, most of which can be avoided by cat owners being made aware of the situation and keeping their cats in at night. Cat owners will also avoid potential injuries to their pet from vehicle accidents (most of which happen at night and are not discovered until morning), fighting and fatal diseases such as feline AIDS and feline leukaemia, so helping cat owners to be committed to a kitty curfew makes sense for them as well. The NP&W Act 1974 Sect 98 advises that harming protected fauna, by any means, including the use of any animal to do so, attracts a maximum penalty of $11,000. Most pet owners would consider this not applicable to them but at what point does ignorance or negligence become unacceptable as an excuse? We in the NATF are obliged by our knowledge of the facts, our experience of the distress of our injured wildlife and our commitment to the wellbeing of our fauna, to set the best example and inform the public of what needs to be done. If you are a member with a cat and let it out to roam at night as some members do, please consider first the safety of our wildlife, many of which are not equipped to fight back or survive an introduced species attack. Ideally keep your cat away from fauna at all times by using an outdoor enclosure if you would like it to have outdoor time. At the very least, please ensure that you keep it indoors at night, from dusk until after dawn. How can we ask the public to respect wildlife in this way if we as a group don t set the sort of example we ask others to follow? If you feel that a fact sheet for cat owners (which could be distributed through participating vets and by rescuers) would be a useful tool in educating pet owners, please Linda Marr or Audrey with your thoughts and ideas. See the link below for a fact sheet from another wildlife organisation as an example. Factsheet%20cats%20and%20wildlife.pdf According to the Wildlife Preservaton Society of Queensland, each unrestrained pet cat kills an average of 32 wild animals a year. wildlife.org.au/ conservation/ issues/2007/ petmgmt.html Image from above website.

12 Wheatley, juvenile Ringtail Possum, 230 gr Download a Membership form from Then complete and to membership@hunterwildlife.org.au Or, Yvonne Hawkins (Membership Officer) membership@hunterwildlife.org.au Or, Phone: Hunter Wildlife Rescue Hotline (0418 NATIVE) Please visit our website at Cover Banner Photo - Kath Dalton Images of wildlife in care, page 2 from Robyn Leggett Torresian Crow P4 & What is it? P3 Charmian Eckersley Powerful Owl image from Jill Dean Wheatley juvenile RT possum in care of Kim Wright, photo Kim Wright & Linda Marr, Magpie P1 Kim Wright Hi Members Please feel welcome to share your wildlife experiences by submitting articles of interest to your fellow Carers, Rescuers, Phonies and other Members as well as photos of your wildlife in care. Please submit articles by 20th of each month for proposed publication on or before the first of the following month. Articles in either Word document, pdf format or as an are fine and images as jpgs attached to s are great (please avoid embedding in a Word document if you can, thanks!). I m always happy to discuss any constructive recommendations that any Member may have so please feel welcome to contact me. Looking forward to contributing together to the wellbeing of our unique wildlife, Linda Marr Mobile Home E: lindasletterbox@hotmail.com