THE RSPCA is remaining tight-lipped on the future of its Wacol headquarters following last week’s announcement on the new Redlands wildlife hospital moving ahead.
Many of the injured koalas from the region brought to Wacol are already sent on to the Moggill Koala Rehabilitation Centre due to a lack of space at the Wacol facility.
In September 2023, the RSPCA’s Wacol facility was under fire for shutting its doors on injured koalas as the organisation struggled to cope with an influx in injured wildlife.
One koala rescued after being attacked by dogs at Mount Alford in the Scenic Rim was turned away from the Wacol Wildlife Hospital and had to be transported with no pain relief administered to Currumbin Wildlife Hospital two and a half hours away.
An Ipswich wildlife rescuer, who asked not to be named, questioned whether the wildlife hospital facilities at Wacol would remain open when the Redlands wildlife hospital opened.
“The next closest to us is Australia Zoo, which is a huge drive. We need something local,” she said.
“This is a bandaid fix. Why are we building more hospitals? Why aren’t we protecting their habitat?”
Asked whether the new Redlands facility would become the RSPCA’s headquarters and whether the Wacol wildlife hospital would remain open, the RSPCA would not give a direct answer.
An RSPCA Queensland spokesman said the organisation was developing “a comprehensive wildlife strategy to guide how sick and injured wildlife receive the right care, in the right place, at the right time”.
“We are working closely with our partners across South East Queensland, including other wildlife hospitals, rescue services, carers, and private veterinary practices to determine the best service delivery model when the new hospital opens.
“RSPCA Queensland is committed to improving facilities and outcomes for wildlife through a purpose-built hospital that has the capacity to meet demand whilst providing a high standard of care.”
The new RSPCA Queensland Wildlife Hospital will be located at Redlands, on land donated by Redlands City Council at IndigiScapes.
“For our vets and nurses, this means better facilities, better outcomes, and more second chances for our precious wildlife,” the spokesman said.
“Community education around wildlife is a vital part of what we do at RSPCA Queensland, and we’re exploring new ways to expand that connection with the public.”
