13 Jun What does it feel like to be a wildlife rescuer and carer for Australia’s largest wildlife organisation?
It feels amazing!
As part of the North Shore Branch of WIRES NSW I am part of a dynamic group of rescuers and carers that work closely together as a team to help our Australian native wildlife get back on their feet and get back into their natural habitat where they belong.
There are so many beautiful and successful stories of our wildlife returning to their habitat and Amelia’s story is one of those.
Amelia is an Eastern Long Necked turtle who lost her way. She was found on the side of a major highway and was taken by a member of public to an emergency animal hospital. It appears she had been run over and had a large crack in her shell. There her wound was cleaned and bandaged but her crack was not able to be fixed until her wound had healed enough to undergo surgery. This is where I come in!
Amelia has been in my care since February and still to this day is in my care. During this time her wounds have been cleaned, antibiotics and pain relief administered along with a bit of assistance with helping her feed. She has since gone back to hospital and had the crack in her shell fixed and now is waiting for the warmer weather before she can go back into the big wide world and on her way again.
It is not just one person that makes a difference to our natives like Amelia – it is a large team of medical specialists, doctors, nurses, rescuers, carers and the general public too who care enough to take the time to give Amelia and those like her another chance at life.
We all make a great team and I am so proud to say that I am part of that team.
To all those special people out there making a difference, thank you so much for caring.
Teresa Muzman
North Shore Region
WIRES