RSPCA working through the night rescuing wildlife that have been displaced due to the 2022 floods
One of the surviving joeys suffering from exhaustion after swimming
White Tailed Tropic bird rescued with a broken tail feather likely blown off course during the storms
“We’re going to need a bigger boat,” says RSPCA Queensland Spokesperson Emma Lagoon about the lack of resources RSPCA Queensland has in order to respond to animals in flooded areas.
RSPCA Queensland Rescue Units have been kept busy over the past week responding to calls for assistance regarding wildlife and livestock impacted by floods. On Monday alone the team received 148 new animal rescue requests. Find out more about helping animals and pet owner tips here.
“It’s been a tough time for our rescue teams. Like many others, we’ve been limited with our ability to get to every call for help due to flooded roads and staff and volunteers also stranded. Our Rescue Units can only get to places the roads will let us,” Ms Lagoon says.
While RSPCA Queensland attends calls for injured and sick domestic and wild animals every day, in disaster situations like this, the charity’s resources are limited.
SES and Council can be contacted for stranded livestock and pets.
Some RSPCA shelters in affected areas have been closed due to roads cut, resources and power issues in affected areas, but all animals onsite are safe thankfully with a small number of incredible staff and volunteers that are still able to access the area and provide care to the animals.
Surprisingly, RSPCA Rescue Units are still responding to possums and birds hit by cars, and also an increase in waterlogged wildlife in need of rescue. By 2pm Monday the RSPCA teams responded to 90 rescue calls and many staff and volunteers have worked through the night to get to more animals. It’s another busy day ahead.
Above: A weather impacted cockatoo with beak and feather disease rescued Monday by RSPCA Volunteer Warren.
Ms Lagoon says, “Sadly we are now seeing more deceased animals that couldn’t survive the weather event, it’s just devastating.”
Above left: One of the surviving joeys rescued on Monday. Dozens were attended to, suffering from exhaustion after swimming, but only a handful have survived. Above right: Koala Maple was found face down in a swamp and is now receiving care at the RSPCA Wildlife Hospital in Brisbane.
If you do find injured and sick wildlife contact RSPCA’s 24/7 Animal Emergency Hotline 1300 ANIMAL (1300 264 625).
If you can help animals without putting yourself in harm’s way, keep them warm and secure until help can arrive, or call your local vet.
Ms Lagoon says, “We’d like to thank all of the local vet clinics helping to triage patients while we get to more rescue jobs today, the community is doing a fantastic job to help. Please be patient with our teams, they’re under a lot of pressure and doing their best.”
