Extra support for injured wildlife during Easter holiday period

Extra support for injured wildlife during Easter holiday period

Wildlife Victoria will be on Phillip Island (Millowl) this Easter school holidays as the primary rescue unit for injured animals. The visiting team will include Wildlife Victoria’s CEO, Lisa Palma, along with experienced wildlife veterinarians and wildlife rescuers.
Phillip Island Nature Parks is working with Wildlife Victoria to investigate the impacts to native wildlife during peak visitation periods. As part of this investigation, Wildlife Victoria will manage all rescue callouts over the Easter period from 5 to 12 April.
Nature Parks recently hosted two workshops with wildlife rescue partners to discuss animal rescue and response on Phillip Island, after seeing an increase in demand for the rescue service. Wildlife Victoria has been critical to supporting the wildlife rescue services of the Nature Parks and local community shelters for many years.
Chief Executive Officer Catherine Basterfield said the on-field investigation would help inform the next stage of stakeholder discussions.
“Wildlife Victoria has provided wildlife rescue support for the Victorian community for 35 years and we are grateful for their commitment to help the Phillip Island community understand and resolve its wildlife rescue challenges”.
“Our Wildlife Clinic will help support caring for injured animals, but it will be Wildlife Victoria on the ground carrying out the rescues.”
Wildlife Victoria CEO Lisa Palma said:
“Wildlife Victoria is aware of the increased demand for wildlife rescue and care on Phillip Island, and as such we are pleased to be working alongside Phillip Island Nature Parks to understand the challenges and to improve outcomes for any sick, injured, or orphaned wildlife on the island.”
“Phillip Island provides such an important and unique environment for Victoria’s wildlife. We would love to see the island’s wildlife populations prosper and Phillip Island be a model haven for wildlife.”
The wildlife rescue services on Phillip Island are provided by a network of dedicated rescue volunteers, a community run wildlife shelter, Wildlife Victoria’s Emergency Response Service and volunteers, Phillip Island Nature Parks rescue and Wildlife Clinic and local veterinarians. These service providers are working collaboratively to improve wildlife rescue and care for our region.
The 24/7 number to call for injured wildlife rescue is: Wildlife Victoria 03 8400 7300.