13 May Southern Ashs’ Story
Southern Ash Wildlife Shelter, Rawson once again cared for burnt wildlife this time impacted by 2019-2020 fires. The fire intensity and fire extent, left us unprepared and short on supplies. Luckily we were able to obtain a grant from FNP&W which not only directly assisted with the koalas in care, but for the first time ever, supported the volunteers assisting the wildlife. This was amazing! The grant enabled us to obtain PPE inclusive of boots, torches and headlamps (for night-time feeding, monitoring and dusk foliage collection) and fuel vouchers (rescue, foliage collection) helped alleviate the added financial burden for all. The koalas joeys, all severely impacted – burnt and orphaned – have all done well in rehab with 5 koalas still in care and being prepared for final soft release in spring. Their scars have healed, and burnt fur has been replaced with lush light grey fur. Burnt nails have grown back and their ears, that required shaving due to scar tissue thickening, has developed short fluffy fur. The koalas are looking rather rotund, and continue to build muscle tone, by actively exploring their pens, seeking the fresh daily foliage tips, and on the colder mornings, are found closely cuddled together. The volunteers and the wildlife in our care are exceedingly grateful for the grant support provided to us from the Foundation for National Parks & Wildlife.
