Wildlife sanctuaries struggle to care for animals affected by flooding

March 4, 2022

Karen Sweaney

The recent devastating floods in South East Queensland and Northern NSW have unfortunately led to the death of thousands of animals as animal sanctuaries and volunteer rescue services struggle to help due to flooded and debris-blocked roads.

As such animal sanctuaries and other wildlife rescue services are appealing to the public for funds, equipment and feed to help them with their response.

The RSPCA says it has received more than 620 rescue calls for animals impacted by the floods in the last week and is currently caring for hundreds.

According to the ABC, despite the RSPCA's best efforts to help as many animals as possible, the organisation says a vast number haven't made it, eventually succumbing to injuries and exhaustion.

RSPCA Queensland spokesperson, Emma Lagoon said animal rescue teams have been left devastated by the loss advising "It's been a really tough time; we only have animal ambulance vehicles, so we're governed by the roads and conditions. We're doing our best to get to every rescue call out, and hopefully when these waters receede we can get to more call outs. We are seeing many animals that haven't made it."

The Queensland Koala Society notes that time is of the essence with flood affected koalas needing the community’s help. They are advising that they have at most 48 hours left to save koala joeys separated from their mothers. Any life in trouble is now time critical and are urging the public “to go for a walk, look really closely in your surrounding bushland, environmental parks and known koala habitat. Wee tiny joeys are still being reported as alone, emancipated and cold. Sadly some deceased. But we still have a chance!

“Consider taking a walk in one of these local areas to ensure the zone is free of any wildlife suffering the storms. The area need not have been flood affected. Any known koala habitat will have had displaced koalas from the recent wild weather.

“If you see an orphaned, displaced or injured koala in south east Brisbane, please call Angela on 0419 709 639 immediately.”

“If you would like to help us cover the ongoing costs involved in rescuing, rehabilitating and releasing those koalas already rescued from the recent storms and flooding, please consider donating to our cause today. Every single donation, no matter how big or small, once off or recurring, does make a difference. Helping us to keep rescuing, rehabilitating, releasing our precious koalas.”

Lagoon said the RSPCA service is currently caring for many kangaroo and wallaby joeys, possums, birds and koalas and advises "so far the rescue teams have been receiving lots of calls from Logan, Scenic Rim, Toowoomba, Somerset, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast and Gympie council areas, so pretty much everywhere."

The Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary (above) says it has been inundated with “patients” in recent days and now shares “after days of wind, rain and floods, the cleanup time had come at Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary! Numerous staff and volunteers gathered to tackle the mammoth task of getting the Sanctuary reopened. Thank you to everyone who chipped in to help scrape mud, clean windows, move trees and much more! Also thank you for all your messages of support. All our animals are safe, happy and enjoying a few rays of sunshine.”

Animal sanctuaries and wildlife rescue services on the Sunshine Coast, including Twinnies Pelican and Seabird Rescue, witnessed their entire properties flood twice this week, ruining much of their feed and equipment.

Twinnies Pelican and Seabird Rescue (pictured above) need help now and are calling for donations advising “our rescue located at Landsborough Queensland, on the sunshine coast has been hit hard by the floods. We have lots to do to rebuild our rescue and are relying on your generosity to chip in so we can help our precious pelicans and birds. We will need new outdoor pens, drains and fences to protect and give the best care for our pelicans and birds that we do love so much.

“We are not sure what the next few days holds in terms of the weather but we are doing our best for the pelicans and birds in our care. We wouldn’t have it any other way.

“We’ve still got a way to go to hit our fundraising goal of $35,000 to get us back on our feet. Every dollar that you kindly donate will go towards rebuilding our rescue. We receive no government funding so are completely reliant on your generosity.

“Just $5 from each of you would get us to our goal. It’s the cost of your next cup of coffee but one that will help us recover from these floods. Please donate now."

Lagoon wants anyone who notices an animal in need of assistance to call the RSPCA, a local rescue service or vet as soon as possible.

"And if you can help a small animal until help can arrive that's a great option to keep them warm and dry, a lot of these animals are cold and displaced and exhausted," she said.

Images from top: courtesy Queensland Koala Society; volunteers helping with clean up at The Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary; flood imapcted Twinnies Pelican and Seabird Rescue