Wildlife hospitals offer new hope for native animals

TWO wildlife hospitals in the Northern Rivers are boosting care for native animals, with one opening its doors for the first time and the other securing a $2 million federal funding commitment.

The newly opened Northern Rivers Wildlife Hospital at Wollongbar is expected to treat at least 5000 sick or injured animals each year.

Further north, the Byron Bay-based Wildlife Hospital – Australia’s only mobile all-species facility – has welcomed an election promise from the Albanese Labor Government to support its expansion and operations.

Opened in 2020, Byron Bay Wildlife Hospital has treated more than 9000 native animals and is equipped to respond during natural disasters. It operates from a custom-built semi-trailer and is run by Wildlife Recovery Australia, a registered charity that also manages the Byron Bay Raptor Recovery Centre.

Federal Member for Richmond Justine Elliot said the funding would help protect native species and support the region’s growing wildlife care sector.

“I want to thank the whole team at Byron Bay Wildlife Hospital for their important veterinary work rehabilitating native animals and leading the way for wildlife protection across the North Coast,” she said.

WRA founder and CEO Dr Stephen Van Mil said the $2 million commitment acknowledged the national relevance of the hospital’s work.

“We are elated with this very significant announcement acknowledging the national relevance of the services we provide for Australian wildlife,” Van Mil said.

“This funding will allow us to continue to operate a best practice wildlife hospital, provide quality care for sick, injured and orphaned wildlife, and keep skilled and qualified veterinarians and vet nurses in jobs.”

In Wollongbar, the opening of the Northern Rivers Wildlife Hospital marks the first stage of a three-part project that will include expanded pathology and necropsy services.

Hospital chair Madeleine Faught said the centre had been years in the making.

“We’re incredibly proud to open our doors and start providing care, but there’s still a lot of work ahead,” she said.

The hospital will also ease pressure on local vets, who often treat wildlife free of charge, and provide a central hub for rescue groups across the region.

“Providing life-saving skilled veterinary treatment to protect and secure the survival of our precious wildlife is critically important,” Faught said.

The hospital will act as a hub for groups across the region including WIRES branches, Friends of Koalas, Australian Seabird & Turtle Rescue, Tweed Valley Wildlife Carers and Northern Rivers Wildlife Carers.