A stamp of approval for wildlife carers
Tuesday, 05 October 2010
The work of wildlife carers and wildlife caring organisations will be celebrated by Australia Post during the month of October, with the release of the Wildlife Caring: Rescue to Release stamps. The stamp issue brings national attention to the selfless work of volunteers rescuing and caring for sick, injured and orphaned native animals.
One wildlife organisation celebrated by the stamp issue is Australian Fauna Care, which provides a national directory of volunteer wildlife carers. The service is run by wildlife carers and operates via a website (www.fauna.org.au) detailing the contact details of more than 300 volunteer organisations, representing around 10,000 carers, to easily enable the nearest wildlife carer to be located.
Steve Amesbury, CEO of Fauna Care, says, "We are pleased that Australia Post has created a stamp issue to bring attention to all volunteers who care for sick and injured native animals. They provide an invaluable service for not only our wildlife but for all Australians, for in caring for wildlife we also preserve the richness of the Australian environment."
A typical day-in-the-life of a wildlife carer involves substantial amounts of time, effort and money from the carers' own pocket to look after sick and injured native animals. It is not unusual for carers to travel long distances to rescue animals, take them to the veterinarian and, after treatment and rehabilitation, transport them back to their original habitat for release. During rehabilitation there are many expenses to cover, including for housing, food, medication, veterinarian bills and travel costs. Many carers often undertake their own fundraising activities to cover a proportion of these costs. Many are also involved in community awareness programs, government lobbying and research in order to help reduce the impact of urbanisation and development on our native wildlife.
Australia Post Philatelic Manager Michael Zsolt said, "Australian native animals are some of the most remarkable in the world, but it is a sad reality that many are injured, often in their contact with humans. With their plight further impacted by dwindling habitats due to the expansion of Australian cities, bushfires, floods and other natural disasters, it is important to recognise that the work of rescuing and caring for native animals in distress falls on the shoulders of volunteers. We hope this stamp issue will bring national attention to the selfless work of all wildlife carers."
The Wildlife Caring stamp issue comprises five 60c stamps and one $1.20 stamp, featuring native animals that have benefited from the expertise of wildlife carers.
The stamp issue includes a stamp and medallion cover (limited edition of 10,000), a miniature sheet, a stamp pack, a first day cover, a self-adhesive booklet of 10 x 60c stamps, a roll of 200 x 60c self-adhesive stamps, a decorative gutter strip of 10 x 60c stamps and a set of maxicards. They are available at participating Australia Post retail outlets, via mail order on 1800 331 794 and online at www.auspost.com.au/stamps from 5 October 2010 while stocks last.
Wildlife Caring Stamp Information
60c Common Wombat
In this stamp design, a veterinary nurse listens to the heartbeat of the eight-month-old wombat Rosie, at the Australian Wildlife Healthcare Centre at Healesville Sanctuary. The wombat was admitted to Healesville Sanctuary after her mother was killed in a road accident in December 2005.
60c Eastern Grey Kangaroo
This joey was orphaned during the devastating bushfires in Victoria in 2009; it was rescued from near Toolangi. Tullulah, as the joey was named, is housed in a makeshift "pouch" made by one of a band of volunteer sewers who turned their skills to good use for the rehabilitation of orphaned joeys.
60c Koala
This young koala made a narrow escape from the 2007 Framlingham bushfires in western Victoria. Robbi was one of around 400 koalas saved from an area that was home to an estimated 5,000 animals free of chlamydia, the disease devastating koala population. She was one of the first koalas rescued. She suffered terrible burns on her paws and was in care for 11 months before being released back into the wild near Crawford River.
60c Grey-headed Flying Fox
The infant Grey-headed Flying Fox was orphaned after his mother died following severe leg injuries. Carers from Sydney Metropolitan Wildlife Service took the 8-day-old Hugo to the wildlife hospital at Taronga Zoo after it was found clinging to its fatally injured mother. At Taronga, the little flying fox was health checked and then fed by hand five times a day.
60c Southern Boobook
This Southern Boobook was hit by a car while it was chasing prey in the beams of the headlights. It is suffering from right eye trauma - an injury that can prove fatal for nocturnal birds that depend on acute eyesight and stereo-vision to locate prey. Most birds involved in vehicle collisions in spring and summer are young birds, not yet experienced enough to associate cars with danger. This one was lucky enough to be found alive and was taken to Kanyana Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre in Western Australia, where it was treated for its injuries.
$1.20 Ringtail Possum
This little Ringtail Possum, Bam Bam, was found in a suburban backyard. Weighing just 56 grams, it is thought that he may have fallen from the back of his mother. Although he was very young, he was healthy and showed all the signs of wanting to survive. Initially, he was fed every three hours with a possum-milk formula delivered through a syringe; eventually, he lapped milk from a bowl and was fed the tips of gum leaves and native flowers. Because Ringtail Possums thrive in groups, Bam Bam was raised with three fellow baby Ringtails. Five months later, all four were released.
