Taronga Zoo asks public to maintain a lookout for injured animals

Over the years, Taronga’s experts have refined their skills in wildlife crisis response, lending expertise and support to drought, bushfires, mass mortalities and disease events.

In early March, when Eastern Australia was hit by a significant flood and storm event that had devastating impacts on people, communities, wildlife and environment, Taronga enacted its Wildlife Emergency Response Plan, which involved preparing their Wildlife Hospitals for an influx of wildlife and working collaboratively with their partners to prepare to assist in the field if required.

While Taronga’s experts are always ready to act and their Wildlife Hospitals are on standby to assist animals in need, they also ask that members of the public be on the lookout for injured or displaced wildlife.

As flood waters soaked much of the east coast of Australia, a resident of Pitt Town Bottoms in Sydney’s west came across an echidna floating on a mattress. The echidna was drenched and had minor scratches to his beak but seemed to be in reasonable condition.

The echidna was delivered to a WIRES carer. A team from Taronga Wildlife Hospital then went into the flood affected area to retrieve the animal, nicknamed ‘Gerald’ by its rescuer, and the plucky monotreme has since been recovering at Taronga.

Upon Gerald's arrival, he received a full health check from the veterinary team and was found to be in good condition. Gerald will continue to receive care at Taronga Wildlife Hospital until he can be released back to the wild.

Taronga are asking members of the public who find or encounter injured wildlife, to bring them to the Taronga Wildlife Hospital, which is open seven days a week, or to get in touch with local wildlife care group for assistance.

Find out more about how to assist injured wildlife. 

Taronga’s two Wildlife Hospitals provide vital emergency assistance to all kinds of sick and injured native animals. With financial help they can provide them with the best possible care.

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Images courtesy www.facebook.com/tarongazoo