June 2011 Volume 28 No 3

June 2011
Volume 28 No 3
Welcome to the June 2011 Newsletter
Wildlife care is
our focus and
making the
FAWNA group as
proactive and
responsive as
possible, our
goal .
Much has happened since the last edition of FAWNA News. One of our committee members Kristy has had a bouncing baby girl, Jeff and Linda have been out and about doing
talks and getting the FAWNA message out there, a lot of fundraising has taken place, our
carers have been busy saving and nurturing lives every day and we say a fond farewell to
two of our highly valued members.
Apologies for omitting Kathryn Camisa‘s name to the ―Angel‖ article in the April edition of
FAWNA INC. NEWS. Many thanks again Kathryn for the great story.
A little ray of sunshine in the shape of a girl
Kristy Gawthorp & Daniel Lynch are happy to announce the birth of their daughter Abigail Olive Lynch. Abigail was born on the 4th of May, weighing 3040g. Her father was given the unexpected job of delivering her
as she arrived very quickly at home at 1.45am. Both mother and baby are healthy and happy. FAWNA wishes them all well for a happy and bright future together!
Presidents Message
Well winter has arrived and so have the swans, Many birds are flying in daily onto the wetlands and if I were
them I would still be up north. I am over winter but hope we get some rain to provide life support to our
trees and plants and therefore to our animals.
It has been a busy few months and we have been successful with some grants and have bought much new
equipment. Anyone needing anything for wildlife can contact a member of the committee especially Linda and
we will do what we can for you.
Linda and I have just got 4 new possum boxes and several hot boxes and heat pads so with winters chills
around we can help you keep some creatures very comfortable.
I have attended on your behalf various meetings including GEOCATCH , SWCC & WRAG but also with DEC.
Our discussions with DEC are eye opening and we are positive that despite some peoples concerns, we are
making good progress on common ground.
Linda and I have also given talks to a number of organisations explaining FAWNA's role, we have been well
received and in fact have been given donations to help in our work.
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Capelfest the Blackdog Ride and Balingup Field Day all went well, thanks to those members who helped us on
the days (Peter, Carol, Donna, Cheryl & Vickie). Linda and I are enjoying these activities and it would be good
if more members could also help out. Anyone who knows a shop owner who can put up a poster and put a collection tin on their counter, please talk to Ian. We really are amazed at the donations he has collected from his
outlet (details page 9 of this newsletter).
Jodie has made great progress on our new web page which is now available at www.fawna.com.au/
I wish you all a great upcoming few months and wish Peter a full recovery. I also wish Graeme and Margaret
safe travels. Wonnerup House, FAWNA and the local wildlife will miss you guys, thanks for your friendship
and support.
Jeff.
Busy Times In Margaret River
Hi Everyone.
Well I had the most interesting 2010, particularly the last 6 months. To those that know me, I have recovered from my accident in July (broken face and wrist), now back on track with my wildlife care. After being
unable to continue with the care and release of my previous rescue, baby kangaroo Sash, I am happy to have
been kept up to date with her successful release (thanks Peter and DEC).
I have since/am raising 3 new orphaned baby roo‘s, Banjo (now released), Sage and little Freidrich.
Sage & Freidy
Banjo came in September 2010 at 2.1kg; his mother was shot in a
cull in Boyanup. Sage arrived 3 weeks later, at 1.0kg; her mother
was a car victim, and Freidy on the 14th Jan this year, found alone
in the bush. His ‗rescuers‘ left him in the bush alone overnight before handing him to the vet. He was unable to stand properly &
severely dehydrated and needed s/c fluids. The change in his
health is now very apparent and great to see. He is so inquisitive
of what is going on, especially with the other joeys and is now
feeding beautifully.
Since my injuries healed and I was able to take in animals again, I
then had the most diverse range of species coming in. The animals came in such a short time, that it became
amusing. But I also managed to learn a lot about species I hadn‘t dealt with before. These animals included:
A Crab – YES a CRAB!!! A full sized, blue rock crab! Found walking down a suburban street in Margaret River,
kilometres from any beach…a fishing escapee maybe??? I actually released it back in the ocean.!!!
Emu Chick – Wandered up to people near weir. All alone. Transferred to Metricup Bird Park.
Fox Cub - YES, I KNOW! Not a friend of wildlife. ..But it was just a baby, orphaned on side of road. Rehomed
to Peel Zoo, Mandurah, where they have a licence, a male fox cub, and he will not be released. (If I had been
unable to rehome, I would have definitely had him euthanized).
Little Shearwater – My first Ocean Bird (other than Seagull). Difficult to find help but found out via good old
internet that I had a fledgling that had fallen/ blown out of nest in storms. Needed to fast for 2 weeks, then
was ravenously hungry, swimming, flying, successful release. Parents abandon in wild to encourage this behaviour after a 2 week fast.
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Two Carnaby's Cockatoos — The first was an adult female that had been hit by a car. She had an old open
fracture under her wing by the time she was rescued and treated by our vet, Michel. She unfortunately had
to be euthanized due to her injuries and was, as required, reported to DEC. About a week and a half to two
weeks later I received a fledgling male Carnaby's, so emaciated that he had no body weight or breast muscle
left. After speaking to DEC and arranging his transport to Perth Zoo in a few days time, Margaret River Vet
Peter Harry, treated the bird with medication, fluids and I with warmth, care, regular feeds, etc until the
transfer. Despite gaining substantial weight and co-ordination over those few days in care, he was still too ill
to save and was also euthanized.
As well as the ongoing regulars….
Magpies
Silvereyes
Tree Martin
Wood ducklings
Bobtail
Quenda
Wattlebirds
Butcherbirds
Galahs—beak and feather - Euthanized
Brush tail Baby - Euthanized
Striated Pardalotes
Spotted Pardalote‘
As of the last couple of months I have been relatively quiet. I am now listed in the local Margaret River Rotary Directory (the only listing) as a Wildlife carer/rescuer, so I have had many calls, most of them relatively
for advice, which is great, meaning (hopefully) that few animals have needed intensive helping in this area of
late. I have ‗rescued‘ a lost (probably pet) duck, which drove me almost insane with what I assume was separation anxiety, until I rehomed it (after no luck finding its owner), four days, and numerous neighbours comments, later. A baby python then arrived at my door, brought home in a pile of garden clippings by a landscaper who was concerned about leaving it at the tip. After contacting a reptile specialist, a safe release site was
recommended and the rescuer released it himself.
Currently I am fostering the two younger joeys, Sage and Freidy, who are doing well and getting bigger all the
time. Other than that, life in the rescue/carers game is fairly quiet at the moment in Margs. Just finished a
course of Lyssa Virus shots so will now be able to care for bats without getting sick!
Linda Moyle
6R Wildlife and Animal Rescue, Margaret River
0403 533 367
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How to Measure A Successful Rehabilitation
How things have changed from when I first started rehabilitating orphaned and injured wildlife. I was told
with my first animal to cuddle it as much as I want and feed it anything it likes as well as a little bit of native
foliage; I thought ―wow this is just like a domestic pet, nothing special here‖.
Luckily for all the wildlife I have had since, that I love to read and ask questions………
All wildlife have specialised diets and a lot of damage can be done by feeding the wrong diets. Some of these
problems aren‘t known until after release, plus human foods aren‘t found at the animal‘s release sites. So then
wouldn‘t it be cruel of us to introduce a native animal to yummy human foods and then take it away from them
at release and hope it‘s not too stressed, running around looking for its human food and not knowing what to
eat. Is it laziness that promotes carers to feed human food, rather then collect native leaves, blossoms, insects, and seeds and so on? Shouldn‘t food collection be a part of the rehabilitation process?
Next what about all that over handling. Infant native animal‘s parents will tend to their young by feeding and
grooming, giving protection and teaching the skills they will need to survive in the wild. We should never expose wildlife, that is to be released and expected to live a free life, to imprinting. Release for any hand
reared native animal is a stressful and confusing time, with a human and a cage being the only security it has
known. To expect an imprinted animal to just know what it is or should be doing to survive is both confusing
and stressful. Statistically a high number of hand reared animals will die in their first month of release because of this…… so please don‘t use these native animals as a baby substitute or let your kids play with them
as a pet. Ready your native animals for release and keep learning and asking questions and remember why and
for whom we are doing this for. It is not enough to just raise wildlife
So how do I measure a successful rehab, by LIFE AFTER RELEASE……….
Donna Gunn St Depot
Ducklings
Are there any old or new members in the Busselton area, who would like to care for ducklings...
Busselton receives 60 –100 ducklings into care a season - September to January. They need an inside or sheltered area for when they first come in and are tiny. A fenced in area and a water source for them to swim in
when they get older, whether that is a pond, dam or a kiddie‘s pool it doesn‘t matter. Are at times messy,
smelly and take 1-2 hours over the course of a day to feed and clean and then release sites need to be found
for them. Don‘t be put of by all of that though because they are very self-sufficient once feeding, grow
quickly and a joy to watch and of course there are experienced members who will guide you through it.
If you are interested or would like to ask any question please contact me
Donna 0417060977
Donna.cain@bigpond.com
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Margaret & Graham Dunn
What began as a caravanning journey, beginning in South Australia (their home state) and venturing up the
WA coast, eventuated in Margaret & Graham Dunn residing in Busselton as Wardens of Wonnerup House.
As Margaret says ―there is something special about Busselton, it will take us awhile to become accustomed to
being away‖.
The Dunns had only planned on staying in Busselton for 1 year as Wardens of Wonnerup House but this soon
turned into 4 years. Three of these years spent also caring for wildlife.
The Dunns involvement with FAWNA began roughly 3 years ago when they discovered an injured swan near
their front gate. Not knowing what to do about the situation they contacted the vet who informed them that
they would need to catch the swan first. The Dunns were uneasy about the idea of catching a wild animal and
were grateful when the vet suggested they could send a carer to catch the swan.
Mabel & Peter Bell turned up and Mabel had caught the swan within seconds of arriving. Mabel then handed a
beanie to Margaret and asked her to hold it, the beanie contained a baby ringtail possum and Margaret was
delighted.
Mabel examined the swan‘s injuries which suggested it had torn a ligament in its leg. Margaret contacted Mabel a few days later to see how the bird was faring. Unfortunately the swan had eventually died of dehydration. During this discussion Mabel suggested that Margaret might like to care for wildlife as she lived in an
ideal spot. Following this discussion Mabel proceeded to teach Margaret how to care for possums and when
Margaret was fully trained she began to care for possums and later on Quenda.
We say a fond farewell to Margaret & Graham as they continue their journey up the WA coast following the
wildflower season as they go.
Basic Course in Wildlife Rehabilitation- Busselton
On the weekend of the 18th and 19th June, DEC ran a basic course in Busselton for both current and would
be rehabilitators of wildlife. This course is mandatory for rehabilitators to be registered with DEC. It was
very heartening to see so many new faces not affiliated with either FAWNA or the Possum Centre, who were
interested and enthusiastic enough to spend their whole weekend (and $200) learning basic care and handling of various wildlife as well as DEC Rules and Regulations. The course was ably facilitated by Pia Courtis,
our Regional Wildlife Officer, based in Bunbury. A positive 'spin-off' for FAWNA was gaining 17 new memberships over the weekend.
FAWNA, as an organisation, needs members to fulfil and
support it in many varied roles, not only hands on caring.
Networking is another positive benefit of like minded people getting together to share ideas, experiences and stories. The course was held at the Geographe Bay Yacht Club
which was a great venue. Catering, which included delicious
morning and afternoon teas plus lunch, was funded by
DEC. We were treated to listening to and participating in
FAWNA Members at the DEC course.
sessions facilitated by Jo Burston (Perth Zoo) on the care
and handling of sick and injured wildlife, Philip Pain, Brian
Mawby-Brown and Echo (Society for the Preservation of
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Raptors) and Vanessa Paget (Bush Wisdom- Care of Reptiles), who brought along a collection of pythons and bobtails
for participants to handle. June Butcher (Founder of
Kanyana Rehabilitation Centre) facilitated an informative
session on care of birds as well as hands on bird examination
techniques and crop feeding methods. Sue Turner of Kooikuna Wildlife Sanctuary, presented a passionate session about
care of mammals; in particular macropods. Uta Wicke
Phil demonstrating the correct hold (pigeon grip).
(Possum Centre) gave a talk on ringtail possums. Many thanks
also to Felicity Bradshaw of Busselton Veterinary Clinic and
Roisin at Geovet Busselton Clinic for their information and
perspective of treating injured wildlife.
Marine Mammal Rescue Seminar
On Saturday 9th July DEC in Albany will be presenting a two day seminar (in Albany) which is designed to
provide an understanding of marine mammal rescue operations and the roles in which we can assist.
Note: Numbers will be limited with preference given to South-coast residents and registrations
in order of receipt.
Topics covered will include Cetacean and Pinniped rescue
Roles and responsibilities
Case studies
Whale disentanglement
Health and safety
Legislation
Please find the registration form attached.
New Emergency Care Centre (Depot) signs are now available.
If you do not have a sign or your current one is old/
damaged please contact Jeff to receive a sign.
jafalconer@hotmail.com
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Sausage Sizzle 11th June 2011
The most gratifying thing that came out of the FAWNA Sausage
Sizzle held at Bunnings on Saturday, was the commitment and
teamwork on display.
After having to cancel an earlier Sausage Sizzle due to a lack of
support and with Jeff being in Sydney for three weeks, home one
week then us both away for two weeks, AND neither of us having
organised one before; we were a little apprehensive!
Annette`s assistance was invaluable. She volunteered to cut up
10kg of onions (deserves a medal) and was at Bunnings at 7.30 to
help set up. We were really grateful to have her there as she actually knew what she was doing, unlike Jeff and I!
Ian came by early to drop off and setup the new banners. Beverley
arrived with the cash float and drinks and to serve. Shelagh arrived
early and was a tremendous help. Trevor was on hand to help out with
drinks and sauce for a couple of hours. Annette returned after dog
training to spend another couple of hours helping out (and slicing
more onions)! Ian and Chris came to do their share of cooking and
serving over the lunch period, as did Sean and Helen. Right on cue,
Nancy arrived to take over from Ian. Peter, Rene and Jerre relieved
Sean and Helen and helped clean up then pack away. Thanks also to
Helen Marwick for donating some sauce.
We were a bit disappointed that we raised less than $500 (we have
4 cartons of cool drink left) but felt really buoyed with the goodwill and camaraderie shown by all participants!!
Linda Falconer
New FAWNA banners
We now have the new FAWNA banners that were purchased with the Lotterywest Grant.
They look great and are very effective in getting the FAWNA message across.
Thank you Jodie for co-ordinating the project and all the committee
members who made contributions.
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Speaking Engagements
In April, Jeff was asked to speak about FAWNA to the Friendship Group at St Mary`s. I had been working
on a PowerPoint about cygnet rescue, rehabilitation and release, so quickly added the finishing touches so I
could support Jeff with visuals. Previously, Jeff had given a talk to
the local Lions Club, which apparently went well (FAWNA was presented with a cheque for $500), but he had had problems with the
whole data projector thing.
The session at St Mary`s was well received with lots of interest
shown during the question/discussion time at the conclusion. We
took along our star performer (possum), Jimmy, who had made quite
an impact at various events with his adventurous antics and didn`t
let us down this time!
Jeff receiving the donation from the Lions Club
The appreciative audience donated over $60 for FAWNA.
The Probus Club in Dunsborough also invited Jeff to address their group this week. Since the St Mary`s address, I have been working on more PowerPoints with the view of showing audiences exactly what FAWNA is
all about and the work we do. As you know, Jeff is a talented speaker who keeps his audience entertained as
well as being informative. We made good use of one of our new banners as well as displaying the new FAWNA
Emergency Care Centre (Depot) Signs.
Once again, the audience demonstrated their collective appreciation by donating $108 towards FAWNA projects.
Jeff and I reckon we work pretty well as a team so will be on the lookout for more ‗gigs‘!!!
Linda Falconer
FAWNA Motif
All members who wish to have a FAWNA Motif and their name printed on their shirts, please advise Bev:
beverleysykes@bigpond.com
You supply the shirt (preferably a collared black one BUT your choice!!) and pay for the printing costs only.
It looks so good at events when you can be identified as one of the special few.
Carers Corner
Hot boxes and heat pads available provided people provide their current wildlife in care and stats for the
last 6 months.
Contact Jeff:
jafalconer@hotmail.com
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Dates for your Diary
Date
Time
Venue
Event
Saturday 9th July & Sunday 10th July
8.30am—5.00pm
Marine Mammal Rescue Seminar
9.00am—2.00pm
South Coast Natural
Resource Management
Inc, Albany
Sunday 17th July
1.00pm
BDEC
Next Committee Meeting
Sunday 21st August
1.30pm
BDEC
Induction Training Course
7th—9th October
Further details to come
Wharncliffe Mill
Flourish Festival Margaret River
Forbidden Fruit
Forbidden Fruit continues to support FAWNA through their donation tin. Ian collected the extra cash donation on the 9th June.
Total donations received so far $546.60 in less than 11 months.
A big thank you to Forbidden Fruit & Ian!
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Emergency Care Centre (Depot) List 2011
Location
Contact FAWNA member
Contact phone number(s)
Boyanup
Vicki Newman
08 9731 5252
Busselton
Donna & Peter Cain
08 9752 2218 or 0417 060 977
Busselton
Mabel Bell
08 9752 2275
Busselton
Kristy Gawthorp
08 9751 3023
Carbunup
Roger Jackson and Kim Green
08 9755 1771 or 0413 149 689
Capel
Helen Bryant
08 97271501 or 0438 663 411
Cowaramup
Margaret Lewis-Mee
08 9755 6207
Karridale
Robyn Dennis
08 9758 5556
Kirup
Peter and Carol Vickridge
08 9731 6116 or 0429 430 690
Ludlow
Amanda Bell and John Okley
0407 440 743 or 0427 055 451
Manjimup
Darryn Ward
08 9771 8312
Yallingup
Helen Jones & Sean McArthur
08 9755 2460
Yarloop
Kathy Kilgour
08 9733 5139
Depot Managers please advise any amendments to these contact details - Ian 9752 1853
Published by
Fostering and Assistance for Wildlife Needing Aid
Mail address: FAWNA INC. The Secretary, PO Box 551, BUSSELTON WA 6280
Web address: www.fawna.com.au
All contributions and suggestions for the newsletter are welcome dlack81@bigpond.com
Paper supplied for hard copies by DEC (Department of Environment and Conservation). Photocopying courtesy
of Troy Buswell.
FAWNA is a public fund listed on the Register of Environmental Organisations under item 6.1.1 of subsection
30-55(1) of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997. Donations of $2.00 or more are Tax Deductible.
ABN 99 857 239 632
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