Waterholes Wildlife Sanctuary Specialising in Koalas & Kangaroos

1 week ago

Apologies for lack of posts for awhile.

My workload is overwhelming huge,with emotionally, mentally and physically tough cases.
IOver the past few months , I've dealt with numerous fencehangers , dog attacks, car strikes and abandoned and orphaned babies.
Some were really badly injured and sick.
Its hard to find time to sleep, let alone write a post.

But tonight I'm sitting reflecting at the past few months cases.
Tonight is gutwrenching.
I am in deep sadness at the shock loss of "BJ" he was a 33kg fencehanger. Up until Friday all was goung well. I worked tirelessly, looking after him for nearly 2 1/2 months.

BJ came into care back in June, badly injured with numerous wounds to his legs, bone exposure on both legs and a fracture higher up the right leg, all caused by getting caught in a wire fence.

Against all odds he initially survived and wounds healed with only some minor healing to go. He was getting himself upright and regaining good movement. He had the best attitude, real fight for life with such acceptance and trust in me looking after him. He ate like a horse and every day he had a platter of fresh grass, hay, hard feed, all served up to graze on all day.

He required intense care though. Bandage changes, antibiotics myopathy treatment ,he was subject to a gruelling care regime.
But he accepted it well and I always gave him treats. He would recognise those treats and try and get then out of my hand as soon as I sat down next to him.
He would sit up high to attention when I entered his area, as if to say "what have you got now Mum".

I never thought I would loose him.
But sadly despite preventative care for myopathy, his kidneys gave up and he passed away in my arms tonight.

My world as a carer is beyond tough.
I work tirelessly for the Animals at my own expense, emotionally.
I am shattered tonight.....

I'd like to say a very special thankyou to those involved in BJs care.
Tom and Kathleen intial rescue and care.
Gippsland Natural Vet - Jacqui for her acupuncture laser treatment natural therapies ongoing advice support, just amazing.
Vet Will and team at Main Street Vet Clinic for ongoing care, support, advice.

A special thankyou to Everyone that donates and supports the work we do.
I'm very grateful to everyone that helps me, especially my helpers, Janis, Stephen and my Family.

There are many, many cases that have come into care and others rescued and sadly haven't made it over the past few months.

At present we have

16 Kangaroos in full time care
2 Koala Babies in pre release

Over the past 3 years, post fires
We have released
28 Kangaroos, 16 of those have made Waterholes their home and territory.
10 Koala babies raised and released.
9 Adult Koalas rehabilitated and released.

Due to the workload and demand, we are now only taking Kangaroos and some Koalas.
All other Wildlife is referred onto other carers. It's impossible to care for all, I just can't manage.

I'm having a short break / holiday in November, first time ever in over 20 years.
So thankyou everyone that helps me and to those also that drop off supplies.

Last but not least
A very special thank you to
The Medical Pantry for donation of medical supplies and equipment.
An absolutely amazing service!!!!

Please remember every animal deserves respect and a chance at life. If you find an injured, sick, orphaned animal, please call.

Please stop and check deceased animals on the road side. Babies can last for days in Mums pouches. Please just make the call for help and help save a precious, vulnerable life.

Thankyou 🙏🙏

Below a tribute to BJ
Going to miss my big boys daily greetings and antics , its not goi g to be the same without him 💔💔 ... See MoreSee Less

Waterholes Wildlife Sanctuary Specialising in Koalas & Kangaroos

5 months ago

Enough!! ... See MoreSee Less

Waterholes Wildlife Sanctuary Specialising in Koalas & Kangaroos

7 months ago

This is the latest baby from my girl Ally. Ally was raised from a tiny Joey years ago and is free here at Waterholes with a healthy mob of 16.
This is her baby number 5 with only 1 boy, Bandit, her second bub, surviving.
Hopefully this little sweety makes it.
Ally has been an awesome Mum and took on an orphan at foot Joey Elsa, who sadly lost her Mum. It's very rare for Mums to take on other joey's, they normally push other babies away. So Elsa has been a very lucky baby and still here today following Ally around.
Natural mortality rate in the wild is high. Foxes are the biggest killers of these tiny babies here despite living in the forest, we still have them turning up.
We are blessed to live in a natural environment with plenty of forest and river flats for grazing, so loss to human related activities is extremely rare. I've only lost one Kangaroo to car strike here.
There are a number of small mobs living up here all along the river. Slowly the numbers are coming back after heavy loss to bushfire 4 years ago.
22 Kangaroos were lost to fire here at Waterholes.
It's so beautiful to see the Wildlife returning again.
❤️🙏🙏 ... See MoreSee Less

Waterholes Wildlife Sanctuary Specialising in Koalas & Kangaroos

7 months ago

Our beautiful carer/ volunteer, Stephen, feeding Baby Ceridwen her milk.
Stephen has been with us now for over 10 years. He works tirelessly every week on Tuesday's and Friday's, cleaning, feeding, what ever jobs need to be done .
He's the most amazing young man I know. His natural ability with the animals is incredible. Baby Ceridwen is a handful, a live wire, most of the time, but yet she pacifies and becomes a tranquil, calm bub, in Stephens arms.
Thankyou Stephen for all you do, we love you lots Xxx ... See MoreSee Less