rescue 101
Posted by Blue Sky on Sunday, February 15, 2009
Today just as I was headed out the door for something else, I was
called to a rescue of a swamp wallaby that had strayed into houses near
a main road. By the time I got here the police were already holding it
down and it was severely distressed. Despite sedation and very quick
transport to Werribee uni vet clinic the poor thing died.
Its rescue 101 to learn to accept that many animals we attend are very ill and many will die simply from stress.
Still and accepting that, I do feel for each one and this one particulalrly as I feel a bit miffed I wasnt there sooner. I had taken a picture of the beautiful animal but I dont want to post it today, maybe tomorrow.
The encroachment of humans into animal migrations and feed routes is always distressing to me when I see it...and today reminded me of why. Even though this troop has a relativly 'safe' range on an Air Force base, and is well looked after by most locals, it is still a pen...still a cage...and one step either side of a thin line and the animals and humans/cars/trams they interact with, are at risk.
I do know though, from a lovely local ranger that this troop is well loved and cared for and known in the area by locals which helps to protect them...and I was told later that it was only an open gate that allowed the animals to flee...so I am hoping that better gate security by contracters will stop the death toll.
Its a hard balance to achieve man and nature. As I said today to the local police..we cant expect or desire to live in 'natural wonderlands' and then resent the nature that already lives there - we do have to be aware of the environment that already is...and we need to make allowences and think before we build, maybe even lower our expectations of a sanitised lifestyle to include preexisting animals and their right to life and quiet enjoyment of their migration and feeding ranges...to *include* native animals in our native lives..
One of my personal goals as a rescuer is to make people fall in love with all these native critters and to share the joy of getting out there and helping to keep them safe and happy...so much so they desire to help protect them..could never harm them..and will always include them in their thinking processes when building or driving or even just walking around.
vale little swampy....safe rest to you.
Its rescue 101 to learn to accept that many animals we attend are very ill and many will die simply from stress.
Still and accepting that, I do feel for each one and this one particulalrly as I feel a bit miffed I wasnt there sooner. I had taken a picture of the beautiful animal but I dont want to post it today, maybe tomorrow.
The encroachment of humans into animal migrations and feed routes is always distressing to me when I see it...and today reminded me of why. Even though this troop has a relativly 'safe' range on an Air Force base, and is well looked after by most locals, it is still a pen...still a cage...and one step either side of a thin line and the animals and humans/cars/trams they interact with, are at risk.
I do know though, from a lovely local ranger that this troop is well loved and cared for and known in the area by locals which helps to protect them...and I was told later that it was only an open gate that allowed the animals to flee...so I am hoping that better gate security by contracters will stop the death toll.
Its a hard balance to achieve man and nature. As I said today to the local police..we cant expect or desire to live in 'natural wonderlands' and then resent the nature that already lives there - we do have to be aware of the environment that already is...and we need to make allowences and think before we build, maybe even lower our expectations of a sanitised lifestyle to include preexisting animals and their right to life and quiet enjoyment of their migration and feeding ranges...to *include* native animals in our native lives..
One of my personal goals as a rescuer is to make people fall in love with all these native critters and to share the joy of getting out there and helping to keep them safe and happy...so much so they desire to help protect them..could never harm them..and will always include them in their thinking processes when building or driving or even just walking around.
vale little swampy....safe rest to you.