Volunteers to the rescue

AUSTRALIAN Seabird & Turtle Rescue is looking for volunteers to help save and care for sick and injured wildlife in 2025.

The organisation’s general manager Steven Whalan said full training and mentorship is provided to all volunteers.

The role involves looking after shorebirds such as pelicans, cormorants and oyster catchers and sea birds, including shearwaters, terns and seagulls.

Members undertake regular patrols to look for injured birds that congregate around Ballina’s waterways.

They also care for green and hawksbill sea turtles and sea snakes at the organisation’s North Creek headquarters.

“Fishing gear is a common impact to shore birds — hooks, lures and line being caught up in legs, wings, eyes, bills and at times ingested,” Mr Whalan said.

“In turtles the most common problem is a condition is called float syndrome in which gas is trapped internally, making it difficult for the turtle to dive and find food. By the time we find them washed up on the beach they are extremely emaciated, requiring care to fix the ‘float’, and extended stays to put weight back on before they are released.

“On occasions we see some confronting injuries, such as shark bites and boat strikes to turtles resulting in missing chunks of shells and flippers. We recently rescued a seagull that had swallowed a bamboo skewer, half of which pierced the inside of its esophagus and protruded out of its throat.”

ASRC was founded in 1992 when the late Lance Ferris discovered that 35 per cent of Ballina’s pelicans were injured by fishing tackle.

After he appeared on Australian Story in 2003, the Tony and Lisette Lewis Foundation purchased a two-hectare wetland property which was previously home to a wedding reception centre.

It was developed into a wildlife sanctuary called WildlifeLink that is home to turtle rehabilitation tanks and aviaries designed specifically for rehabilitation, including intensive care rooms, and an educational centre offering 50-minute tours to schools and community groups.

The organisation rescued 251 animals in the last financial year, despite being closed for renovations to its aviaries for four months.

For more information or to donate, visit seabirdrescue.org.au