Non-Profit Wildlife Rescue & Rehabilitation
Tweed Valley Wildlife CarersRescuing and caring for injured and sick wildlife from Tweed Heads to Mooball
Statement
The Tweed Valley Wildlife Carers acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of this land and recognises their connection to and guardianship of native wildlife.
Covid-19 information (download PDF)
What to do if you find injured wildlife
Call our 24 hotline
02 6672 4789
What we do
The Tweed Valley Wildlife Carers rescue and care for injured and sick wildlife in the Tweed Valley
Our objectives and aims revolve around the conservation and welfare of our local wildlife. Our foremost aim is the rescue and rehabilitation of native fauna for return to their natural environment, using the best and most up-to-date information from all relevant sources. We also aim to educate the public by encouraging the protection and welfare of our native wildlife and their habitat. read more
Wildlife Rescue
What to do before you call
1. Place injured wildlife in a box lined with a towel to prevent it from sliding around during transport. Cover the box with a loose lid or towel to create a dark environment to prevent stress. DO NOT administer food or drink to an injured bird or animal. Put the box in a quiet cool place in Summer and in a quiet warm spot in Winter months.
2. Take note of the exact location where it was found and tell the rescuer so, after rehabilitation, it can be released back into the wild.
3. Call the hotline:
02 6672 4789
Follow instructions from the member you speak to on the hotline.
IMPORTANT message about birds-click to expand
Leave that baby bird alone!
Our Hotline is being overwhelmed by an epidemic of calls
caused by the kindness of local residents and visitors
Due to climate change, we are seeing a prolonged breeding season and lots of baby birds. If you see a fluffy chick on the ground, you should resist the urge to rescue it. It is not visibly injured or in real danger of being killed or injured, leave it alone because removing a baby bird from its environment is not always in its best interests. Sometimes baby birds land on the ground when they’re learning to fly, but that doesn’t mean that they need your assistance. Usually their parents are nearby, waiting to feed and look after their young once you’ve left the scene. If you find a nest that’s been blown onto the ground, replace it and its contents in a nearby shrub or tree so that the parent birds can continue to attend it. They will find it.
If you find a young Tawny Frogmouth on the ground, simply
replace it in a nearby tree. It’s the safest place for it.
If you find a baby Masked Lapwing or plover on the ground, leave it where it is; after all, the ground is where it lives. Its parents will be nearby (they’re probably swooping you right now).
If you find a chick on the ground and it is:
(1) clearly unattended by its parents (watch this from a distance for some time so you’re not keeping them away); and
(2) it’s in imminent danger from cats, dogs or traffic; and
(3) it can’t be left in a safe place nearby: do not attempt to look after the bird on your own. Place it in a dark, warm, dry place (such as a cardboard box with plenty of air holes, and padding such as a towel inside), keep it safe from the family cats and dogs, and then contact Tweed Valley Wildlife Carers on 02 6672 4789 right away. Tiny featherless birds can only survive for a very short time without warmth and food.
Adapted from Birdlife Australia.
Wildlife News
Challenging Rescues
A Miraculous Release
Fishing line and fishing tackle is “life threatening” to any bird that becomes entangled either by someone casting out to catch fish or by line cut and discarded into the water.
7th of Sept.2020 A Pelican at Hastings Point became entangled and was rescued by a Seabird Carer.
After admission to Currumbin Wildlife Hospital Vets found the wounds to be more severe that originally estimated.
Fishing line was tangled around both wings and his left leg, a bronze hook was dangling from the fishing line. Another hook was embedded in the bird’s body under the wing.
On the 6th Oct. 2020, this Pelican was lucky to be released!
The Pelican was in care with Currumbin Wildlife Hospital for several weeks!
Wounds under one wing and at the wing “elbows” were slow to heal, requiring numerous treatments.
Vet Nurses at CWH cared tirelessly for this difficult case. They named him “Atti” {short form of the word “Attitude”}.
With dissolvable stitches still intact, Atti was fed some Whiting fish on release. Atti was happy to join a group of birds perching together near Wyuna Road. He was in good health and was well hydrated by CWH Vet Nurse Natasha Graham.
A WEDGE TAILED EAGLE was attacked by geese at a property in Pumpenbil road.The owners managed to catch bird and called TVWC. A wildlife rescuer collected the bird and took it to Currumbin Wildlife Hospital where its injuries were assessed and treated. The Eagle had an injured wing and couldn’t fly.
Recent Animals in Care and Releases to the Wild
Animals in Care
Stan
Short Eared Possum, arrived 12th March 2020, car collision, carer: Jan Pilgrim
Bluey
Welcome Swallow, arrived 5th Sept. 2020, Carer: Donna Davies
Sweet-pea
Eastern Tube Nosed Bat, wire entanglement, arrived 4th July 2019, Carer Corrina Lever
Grumpy Junior
Australian Wood Duck, motor vehicle collision, arrived 16th July 2020, Carer: Jenny Graham
Animals Released
Spike
Northern Brown Bandicoot, Carer :Yvonne Gardiner
Hayley
Northern Brown Bandicoot, fell into pool, released 20th January 2020, Carer: Yvonne Gardiner
Gizmo
Common Brushtail Possum, suffering hypothermia, released 5th June 2020, Carer: Kerryn Fuller
Kabul
Coastal Carpet Python, chicken wire injury, released 3rd Febuary 2020, Carer: Max Walker
How Can I Help?
Join Us Today
If you are interested in joining the Tweed Valley Wildlife Carers, we hold regular orientations and offer volunteer positions as a phone hotline operator, wildlife carer (after training), rescue and transport participation, fundraising, as well as various administrative positions.
For more information check:
