LOCAL wildlife rescuers and the RSPCA have described September as one of the worst on record for injured koalas.
An RSPCA spokesperson said more than 120 koalas were treated at the RSPCA throughout South East Queensland during September.
“Over 600 koalas are treated by RSPCA in South East Queensland alone per year with main presentations being car strikes, dog attacks and illness related to Chlamydia,” the spokesperson said.
“Each year, RSPCA Queensland cares for over 27,000 wildlife patients and every one of them deserves the best chance to recover and return to the wild where possible.”
That chance got a bit better on Friday with the State Government locking in a $39.6 million boost for the south east’s wildlife hospital network.
The investment will support the establishment of new wildlife hospitals at Redlands, Southport and Moreton Bay and upgrade facilities at Currumbin and off the coast of Cairns.
A total of $20 million has been raised for the RSPCA Queensland Wildlife Hospital at Redlands, which includes $12 million from the Queensland Government, $5 million from the Federal Government’s Saving Koala’s Fund and $3 million from donors.
An Ipswich Koala Protection Society spokeswoman said the RSPCA’s statistics for September reflected a spike in rescues seen in the Ipswich and Somerset regions.
She said the hotspots for rescued koalas were in South Ripley, Walloon, Thagoona and the areas around Ric Nattrass Environment Park near Woogaroo Creek.
She said the loss of habitat through housing development was the main cause behind the number of injured koalas.
Environment Minister Andrew Powell thanked the region’s carers, veterinarians and staff at the wildlife hospitals for their tireless work.
“Whether a sick koala, injured bird or dolphin struck by a boat propeller, these state-of-the-art wildlife hospitals will enable better care for thousands of sick and injured animals throughout Queensland,” Mr Powell said.
RSPCA Queensland CEO Emma Whitehead welcomed funding delivered for the Redlands project and spoke of the power of collective action when government, community and supporters come together to help wildlife in need.
“With more than $20 million already raised, the RSPCA Queensland Wildlife Hospital at Redlands will stand as a lasting legacy for wildlife protection in Queensland,” she said.
“The RSPCA Queensland Wildlife Hospital will provide treatment and rehabilitation for injured wildlife animals, particularly for our precious endangered and threatened species, working collaboratively with our wildlife hospital partners in SEQ.”
