Kanyana Wins Award for Woylie breeding program

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1 NEWSLETTER WINTER 2016 Kanyana Wins Award for Woylie breeding program Page 4 Dove release sites wanted Can you help? Page 3 Discover Kanyana Day Wrap-up Page 7 Support Kanyana Wildlife and get a tax break End of Financial Year June 30th Page 8

2 From the Board Welcome to the winter edition of Kanyana s newsletter. We have a new logo. Its virtues are its simplicity and its ease of use in online materials. Like everything, it s a matter of adjustment. We are continuing to work with Jack in the Box to fulfil our prize from the Orange Seed Project last year. At the Gala Dinner in April, our hosts, Carl and Marie Holmes handed us a cheque for $10,000. This is part of their $50,000 commitment to Kanyana over five years. This level of commitment from our local community is essential to our continuing existence. Businesses like Kalamunda IGA and Zanthorrea Nursery have stood by us for decades and helped us sustain our efforts on behalf of our wildlife. Read more about the Gala Dinner on page 3. Kanyana s membership of the Zoo and Aquarium Association has placed us among the standard setters in the wildlife and conservation area nationally. Read more about the award we received on page 4. In the past three months, we have had 509 animals admitted to our hospital. I hope you will renew your support for Kanyana today. Caring, Conserving, Connecting Kanyana Wildlife is a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to wildlife conservation. Our core activities are: Rehabilitation of sick, injured, orphaned, and displaced wildlife Breeding program for endangered species Scientific research in nationally recognised programs Education for schools and community groups About Kanyana Wildlife Established in 1986 by June & Lloyd Butcher at their home, Kanyana moved to Lesmurdie in The centre survives on donations, and is run by 300 volunteers and two part-time staff. Read more about our work and events on our website June Butcher Chair/Founder Corporate Sponsors

3 Inaugural Kanyana Address and Dinner Strong community support was evident at the Inaugural Kanyana Address and Dinner held in the delightful French Garden at Masonmill Garden Restaurant in Carmel on Friday 15th April. Guests were welcomed on behalf of the Founder and Board, by Kanyana Patron, Her Excellency, the Honourable Kerry Sanderson AO, Governor of Western Australia. The evening, to celebrate Kanyana Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre successes, including the 30th anniversary of the hospital, and to highlight the caring, conserving and connecting contribution the organisation provides to the community, resembled an elegant soirée due to the presence of the talented Quartet with a Twist. Professor Lyn Beazley delivered her inspiring Inaugural Address to the highly receptive audience who were engaged by her topic (Colour vision in animals) and Professor Beazley s skill communicating her science. Sixty five guests including the Hon John Day MLA Minister for Health, Culture and the Arts, Kalamunda Shire President Mr Andrew Waddell, Kalamunda Shire Councillors, Mr John Giardina, and Mr Geoff Stallard, in addition to Ms Rhonda Hardy, (CEO) and Mr Mick Davis, (Environmental Officer) from the Shire of Kalamunda attended the evening. Many long and shorter term supporters of Kanyana were also in attendance to ensure a celebratory and enjoyable atmosphere. Comments received on the evening include; a fantastic evening and thoroughly enjoyed by all, congratulations on a wonderful evening. Keep up the good work, a fantastic celebration of 30 years of great work by great people-here s to 30 more at least, thank you for a wonderful evening, congratulations on the excellent Kanyana Address event. It was a lovely mix of formal, informal and informative and I looked around the room on several occasions and just saw people smiling a lot and it was a pleasure for us to be a part of your event. Many thanks to the organising committee, Coral Pepper, Helen Riley, Bernard Reaveley, Alicia Speranza and John Pepper. Her Excellency, the Honourable Kerry Sanderson AO, Governor of Western Australia, June Butcher, Lyn Beazley Wanted Release Sites Kanyana is seeking further soft release sites for doves and pigeons. Requirements include the natural occurrence of Laughing Turtle Doves, Spotted Turtle Doves, or Bronzewing Pigeons at your property, a suitable sized aviary, and provision of seed and water. To assist in the birds survival rate, it is preferred that there are no outdoor cats or dogs Please contact our Hospital Manager (hosp.man@kanyanawildlife.org.au) or for more details or to register your interest. 3.

4 Conservation Recognition Kanyana Wildlife won more recognition for its work with native fauna, this time the critically endangered Woylie, when it received the In- Situ Conservation Award presented by the Zoo and Aquarium Association (Australasia) at its Annual General Meeting in Perth Kanyana s Woylie breeding program commenced in 2012, tasked with adding more genetic diversity to surviving Woylie populations. Kanyana s Woylie Coordinator, Sandy Tomas, says recognition by a peak wildlife body like ZAA shows that Kanyana s standards of care and husbandry are on par with the major breeding organisations in Australia. Woylies once roamed over much of southern Australia but cats, foxes, and habitat loss have reduced their range to a few fenced and protected areas. They are difficult animals to manage in a breeding context; they are nervous by nature, easily spooked and explosively fast when they feel threatened. Woylies are special in that they are nest builders, carrying nesting materials in their tails and they are fungi eaters. They are connoisseurs of our native truffles. They re also really cute. The Zoo and Aquarium Association is the peak standards body for all major zoos, aquariums and wildlife parks in Australia and New Zealand. Kanyana is the only community-based wildlife carer organization to be accepted as a ZAA member. Twenty years of Bilby Breeding at Kanyana Kanyana has been breeding bilbies in captivity since 1996, with the arrival of a female from the Pilbara and a male from the Kimberley. Their first baby, called Quirindi, emerged from the pouch on the 4th June Since these humble beginnings, more than 100 babies have been born and distributed throughout Australia to other breeding facilities, zoos and release sites. The Kanyana bilby colony usually holds between 10 and 15 bilbies at any one time, ranging in age from juveniles recently emerged from the pouch to mature adults. To maintain the greatest possible genetic diversity within the captive population, bilbies are frequently moved between the different breeding colonies around Australia. In May this year, two year old male bilby Yimbalu was transferred from Kanyana to Cleland Wildlife Park in South Australia, and three year old female bilby Taaliny was transferred from Kanyana to Halls Gap Zoo in Victoria. Kanyana is looking forward to receiving two young female bilbies from interstate in the near future, and continuing to produce many more baby bilbies in the years ahead. 4.

5 Saving imprinted wildlife Kanyana has recently had several birds admitted to our hospital that are very difficult to rehabilitate for release. We re talking about imprinted birds. Baby birds are sometimes rescued by a well-meaning passer-by, who takes them home to care for them. The birds are often kept in cages; close by to kids, pets, and other household noises. They eat food that the rescuer has in their kitchen scraps from the dinner table, pet food, and the occasional bit of food bought specifically for them. This keeps the bird alive (as long as there are no injuries) until the bird grows some feathers. The rescuer thinks their job is done and releases the bird, which by now is heavily imprinted and often has poorly developed feathers due to poor nutrition. Problem Number One: This bird thinks that humans are great to be around. Problem Number Two: This bird does not know how to hunt or self-feed. Problem Number Three: This bird often cannot fly far due to not building up flight muscles, or having poorly developed feathers. Ultimate Problem: This is not a wild bird, and will die without proper rehabilitation. This story is more common than you d think. Recently, we have admitted a baby magpie that has its wings clipped, and loves cuddles. We ve got a kookaburra that has lived for more than three years inside a small cage and can t grow any feathers. We have a wattlebird that lands on your shoulder and begs for food. These birds will stay at Kanyana for months, being grouped with wild birds to make them wilder, and being taught how to find natural food within their environment. If these birds had been brought straight to Kanyana (or any wildlife rehabilitation centre) when they were first discovered, they could have all been released within weeks as a wild bird. Please do not keep wildlife. They do not make good pets. They need specialised care. Let s keep wildlife wild. 5.

6 Hope s Story On the 16th September last year, a big female quenda (aka southern brown bandicoot) was admitted at Kanyana; she showed all signs of being poisoned. She died shortly after, but in her pouch we found a tiny 30g joey. Due to her size it was going to be a struggle, I took her into home care and named her Hope. The long very hard battle for her life began. She needed feeding every 2 hours, 24 hours a day. Because they are attached to the teat in mum s pouch and have a constant milk supply, it took her a while to figure out to drink enough to last her a couple of hours. Between the weight of g, we had of couple of closed calls where she nearly died. Subcutaneous fluids, vitamin B injections, loads of TLC and patience made her go on. After reaching the 80 g barrier, she went forward at an incredible pace. When she finally started to drink by herself, after 3 1/2 weeks, I could finally catch up on my lost sleep. By the time she moved outside, she behaved like a real quenda, she hissed at me and showed her teeth. That is the thanks that you get for all of that hard work! On the 6th December 2015 the big day for release arrived. Very proud, a little sad, I said goodbye to my little special girl and released her at a volunteer s property. -Esther Sterndale. 6.

7 Discover Kanyana day fundraiser successful Our annual Discover Kanyana day fundraiser was held on Sunday 1st May, and was a resounding success. We had more than 600 adults and 400 children come through the gates and managed to garner around $11,000 to fund our Wildlife Hospital. The Kanyana BBQ and white elephant stall made the most money on the day, closely followed by the delicious cakes, coffee, and donuts. The animal interactions were the most popular areas on the day, and everyone seemed to love the hospital tours and playing games. More than 70 volunteers helped on the day, and some even brought their families along to help! A huge thank you must go out to our volunteers and their families for making the day so great, by working on stalls and inviting friends to come along. Cat Patios Do you love wildlife but still love your cat? You can keep both your wildlife AND cat safe with a Catio (cat patio). These photos of a custom made Catio were sent to us by Kanyana supporter, Teresa. Her cat Fang has always been an inside cat. He walks on a leash and harness, and now can laze happily outside in his new safe Catio. As you can see, the mesh is nearly invisible and keeps both Fang and our native wildlife safe. Will you build a Catio before baby bird season starts this Spring? 7.

8 Donate to Save them! In 1996 the Kanyana Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre Inc and its Gift Fund were entered into the Register of Environmental Organisations. This entry allows donors to claim a tax deduction for amounts over $2.00. We have good facilities and amazing volunteers. WE NEED YOUR FINANCIAL SUPPORT PLEASE Why donate: Injured wildlife hospital admissions have reached 2,600 and are increasing annually. Operational costs for food, electricity, medications, insurance, gas and water are increasing. Federal and State government funding for the care and rehabilitation of native animals has ceased. Donations may be made: at at by workplace giving through good2give; to the Kanyana Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre Gift Fund; in person at 120 Gilchrist Road, Lesmurdie during office hours ; By phone (Option4) Kanyana Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre Gift Fund Banking Details: BSB ACCOUNT NO ABN CHEQUES PAYABLE TO: KANYANA WILDLIFE REHABILITATION CENTRE GIFT FUND KANYANA WILDLIFE REHABILITATION CENTRE INC. 120 Gilchrist Road, Lesmurdie. WA 6076 (08) info@kanyanawildlife.org.au Front cover and release site photography by Houndstooth Studio Newsletter designed by Proof Creative Design 8.