WILDLIFE CARERS GROUP POSSUM RESCUE AND INVESTIGATING DOG CRUELTY/NEGLECT REPORTED TO US. 19/2/12.
Possum rescue and Possum Boxes
Wildlife Carers Group was as usual, very busy taking numerous calls one after another.
On Saturday 18/2/12 Wildlife Carers Group responded to a call about a possum being in the bathroom in Cook.
When we got there, we found that the possum wasn’t actually in the bathroom, but in the ceiling caught in the fan.
Photos taken by NORA PRESTON
The Brush-tailed Possums’s foot can be seen hanging out and caught in the fan, with some of his fur/body visible.
The fan was carefully turned to release the possum’s foot with the possum then shooting up the flue.
Going into the ceiling was fruitless because of the flue.
The screws were taken out and the entire fan removed to allow the possum to come down into the bathroom.
The bathroom door and shower doors were closed to make it easier to catch the possum and round it up into the cat carrier, which the resident very carefully did herself.
It is important to realise that possums are very territorial, and cannot be removed from the ceiling or any other area that they have decided to move into, and released in another suburb, etc, since they will severely injure or kill each other fighting for their territory.
After removing the possum, you will need to first place a possum box into a tree next to the area where the possum entered your ceiling.
The flue or wherever the possum has entered your ceiling then needs to be blocked off to disallow the possum from re entering your ceiling, by using a strong steel mesh. Chicken wire won’t keep them out.
Before blocking anything off, such as fireplaces, etc, make sure that the possums have been safely caught and put into a cat carrier, or a secure box, with some food and water, while waiting for the possum box to be installed nearby before released.
Preferably, if the possum isn’t caught in a fan blade, etc, leave the possums where they are until you have installed their possum box/new home nearby.
If you have been able to trap the possum into a cat carrier, etc, the easiest way to release the possum into your newly erected possum box, is by placing the cat carrier by the opening of the possum box, carefully opening the cat carrier, to allow the possum to go straight into the possum box, and into his/her new home.
You can place some welcoming fruit into the possum box for the possum, such as a piece of apple, banana, small piece of carrot, grapes, prior to releasing the possum into the possum box.
Some links for possum box kits:
http://www.ozbox.net.au/br_pos_vert.htm
http://www.nestboxesfornatives.com.au/possum_nest_box_flat_pack.htm
On Thursday 16/2/12 Wildlife Carers Group received a distressed call saying that a female possum was caught in the overhead wires, with a joey in her pouch in Wanniassa.
Founding President Nora Preston acted quickly and phoned the fire brigade, who quickly phoned actew.
Actew phoned Nora twice to let her know that they were heading out to the site.
Unfortunately when Nora checked the street name in the directory, the street didn’t exist, but quickly figured out which street to go to, then phoned back the fire brigade to let them know the correct street name, so that they can phone actew.
Unfortunately by the time Nora got to the correct address, actew and the possums were gone.
Nora knocked on one of the resident’s door, who informed her that actew got the possum down, put the joey into a box that was still alive, and left with them.
Nora was told 3 conflicting stories, one was, as told above, that is the most believable version, the 2nd story was that by the time actew got there, the possum fell on the ground after being pecked by crows, the mother was dead, and the joey was taken to the rspca by the caller’s friend who was a resident who had a friend working at the rspca, and the 3rd story was similar to the 2nd story, except that they were both dead, with no mention of the rspca.
One would have to ask that if the caller’s friend had a friend at the rspca, why didn’t they just call the rspca instead of Wildlife Carers Group.
Could it be because they know how incompetent the rspca is?
As the public is aware, we are all volunteers, we don’t get paid to run around and to make phone calls, etc, we aren’t government funded, therefore, we ask the public, and utilities, including the government, to treat us with respect, and to ensure that when we organise a rescue and the other party are advised that we will not kill the wildlife but will ensure rehabilitation, and proper veterinary care, that our wildlife do not end up at the rspca, where the chances are that the rspca staff will more than likely kill the wildlife, that is more cost effective for them, rather than to provide money costing veterinary treatment and care.
Wildlife Carers Group is constantly receiving complaints about the rspca that when the public ring them, the rspca staff tell them that they don’t do any pick ups, or they are closed till the next day, that they kill everything, and so on.
The rspca have the highest rate of killing animals than anyone we know, which is not why the rspca was originally established for.
In fact, their killing rate is so high that the volunteers who leave the rspca are are so traumatised and fearful that very soon, there will be no animals left.
You have to ask where all that money is going to, that is being paid to them by taxpayers, the government, and all the huge fund raising money that they make, bequeaths left to them, etc, because the money certainly is not being spent on caring, rescuing, treating etc the animals.
The media are certainly wasting their time constantly sending out positive media releases for the rspca, trying to get more money to the rspca, who are killing more animals rather than saving them against animal cruelty, etc.
The more publicity the rspca gets, the more animals are killed.
If the media really want to help all the animals at the rspca, boycott the rspca until they send out media releases stating that they are giving all the animals away for FREE to suitable homes.
The rspca are over rated and over charge, failing to put top priority over the animals well being and keeping them alive.
After receiving complaints of possums being killed attempting to climb steel poles to get away from uncontrolled dogs, etc, and slipping back down the steel poles, straight into the dogs mouths, etc, Wildlife Carers Group has been investigating the replacement of wood power poles with steel power poles, killing possums attempting to escape from attacking dogs, etc, with no grip on the power poles, causing them to slip back down and killed, and electrocution of wildlife on the power lines, and how to alleviate these problems for a number of years.
Nora was advised last year by actew that the horizontal inhibitors placed across the power lines were to prevent electrocution of wildlife.
This clearly is not correct with possums, flying foxes, etc still being electrocuted and killed on the power lines, with encroachment of the power lines and the power poles still being a necessity, since actew claim that the option of going underground will not happen with the existing power lines, which would be the best option.
Last week Nora was informed by actew that the inhibitors were placed across the power lines to prevent the lines from crashing together in strong winds, and had nothing to do with attempting to protect our wildlife from death.
When utility companies cause deaths to wildlife that can be avoided, we expect to see the attitude that they don’t care about the fate of our wildlife dropped, and to assist in every way to take action to prevent the deaths as advised by experts in wildlife.
ANIMAL WELFARE – Dog Cruelty/Neglect Investigation
Wildlife Carers Group received a call, one of many, about 3 dogs, American Bull Mastiffs, in Ainslie, being permanently chained for the past 5 and half months, not exercised, not fed each day, only being fed every 3 or 4 days, possibly being bred and sold for dog fighting or pig hunting, or the dogs being used for pig hunting, or dog fighting, with the owner living in Sydney.
The complainant said that 1 dog was chained in the front of the house, with the other 2 dogs chained in the backyard.
On Saturday 18/2/12, we turned up at the residents house in the storm that hit, and waited for it to pass by.
When we got out of the car, Nora took a photo of the dog that was chained in the front yard with most of the small area flooded in puddles that the dog was in.
American Bull Mastiff in front yard, ribs could be seen.
The mother, who we were informed, did not live at the property any more, quickly came running out after seeing Nora take a photo, and complained.
She denied that the dogs weren’t being fed every day, that she dropped in twice a day and that the dogs were being exercised each day.
The woman wouldn’t confirm the breed of the dogs, and said that the owner was inside.
When asked to speak to the owner of the dogs, the mother said ‘no’, when asked to inspect the 2 dogs in the backyard and the area that they were being kept in, the mother once again refused access, and said that they were in the house.
She was advised that the area in which the pictured dog was in, was not suitable, nor keeping it chained, and that the dog had to be removed from the area until it dries out to prevent foot rot. She was further advised to set up a run for the dogs, so that they can run up and down, and to expand the area in the front which meant that their car collection needed to be removed from that area.
This investigation is not finalised.
When phoning Wildlife Carers Group please ensure that you repeat your number, state the nature of your call, leave your name.
Unfortunately some of the callers voice messages have broken up, therefore, we haven’t received the nature of the call or the phone number, just the end of the message saying ‘please call back’. In these cases we can’t return calls, so it may help if you make sure that you aren’t moving around when you are leaving phone messages, find a spot where there isn’t a black spot.
Other callers leave the wrong number, so please do make sure that you know your number, and that you leave the correct number.
If you are calling on behalf of someone else, please ensure that you leave and spell the correct address.
WILDLIFE CARERS GROUP WOULD LIKE TO THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR SUPPORT IN 2011.
WISHING YOU A VERY SAFE AND HAPPY YEAR FOR 2012.
There can be no discrimination against our native wildlife, all native wildlife are precious to our Eco system, in assisting to maintain a healthy well balanced Eco system, and will be protected, and rehabilitated equally.
Wildlife Carers Group, the only local wildlife group with long term expertise and knowledge in our native wildlife, that will act on, and investigate animal cruelty/welfare/rights, and, as a community group, that also cares about our community, and the rights of our community groups.
Wildlife Carers Group, the only local wildlife group helping to keep our state and country out of deficit, with no government funding, run solely by volunteers, that is keeping you in a job.
Wildlife Carers Group, the only local wildlife group that trains work experience students.
NORA PRESTON ( began rehabilitating wildlife in the early ’80′s .)
Founding President
WCG – WILDLIFE CARERS GROUP INC. – Founded in 2004.
PO Box 3509
WESTON CREEK ACT 2611
Mob: 0406 056 099
Email: wildlife_carers_group@yahoo.com.au
Website: http://wcg.awardspace.com
https://wildlifecarersgroup.wordpress.com/?sn=l
http://www.myspace.com/wcginc Check out http://www.myspace.com/wcginc
and become a friend. We are also onFacebook, http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1649024860&v=info with photos included on the site, and become a friend. You can now follow us and join us on Twitter http://twitter.com/wildlifecarersg/,
http://canberra.climatexchange.org.au/wildlife-carers-group
19 February 2012
Support WCG. WCG is an independent, non profit, non government community based charity providing animal/wildlife care, rescue/rehabilitation and is also an animal/wildlife welfare group, providing protection for our wildlife/animals, run solely by volunteers, with no government funding, saving taxpayers money. WCG relies on donations from the public in order to carry out its work. If you would like to make a donation to WCG, please send a cheque/money order made payable to Wildlife Carers Group Inc. To PO Box 3509 , Weston Creek. ACT. 2611. AUSTRALIA . Or contact us by email wildlife_carers_group@yahoo.com.au
or mobile: 0406 056 099 to discuss other alternatives. Thank you for all your support.
Aims and Objectives: To promote the general welfare and continued survival of native fauna and flora as an essential element of the environment, and specifically to undertake the specialised care necessary for the rehabilitation of orphaned, sick and injured native birds and other animals, to promote public awareness of the need to conserve existing wildlife species, and an understanding of their particular habitat and feeding requirements.
Support WCG. Become a WCG MEMBER, VOLUNTEER, WILDLIFE CARER, download the m/ship form from http://wcg.awardspace.com
and join up. Thank you for all your support.
To view the amendments and Draft ACT Pest Animal Management Strategy 2011-2021 please click or copy and paste this link into your browser: AMENDMENTS DARTING CURRAWONGS RSPCA – DRAFT ACT PEST ANIMAL MANAGEMENT STRATEGY 2011-2021 « wildlifecarersgroup
To see Wildlife Carers Group full 5-day report, of the training with the work experience student, Wildlife Carers Group Kangaroo Meat Testing, results: contaminated, etc Please click on this link https://wildlifecarersgroup.wordpress.com/2011/08/04/wildlife-carers-group-wcg-visit-to-callum-brae-nature-reserve-etc-full-5-day-work-experience-student-wes-placement-report-trained-by-wcg-founding-president-nora-preston-4-8-july-2011/?sn=l
.
To see Wildlife Carers Group Kangaroo Meat Testing, click on this link: https://wildlifecarersgroup.wordpress.com/2011/09/04/wildlife-carers-group-kangaroo-meat-testing-%e2%80%93-5-day-work-experience-student-4-8-july-2011/?sn=l
‘KANGAROOS AND DISEASES’, https://wildlifecarersgroup.wordpress.com/2011/08/04/kangaroos-and-diseases-notes-for-5-day-wes-4-8-july-2011/?sn=l
This species maintains a healthy, well balanced eco system.
You can help us make the necessary changes for our native protected Eastern Grey
Kangaroos, by signing this petition, and circulating this for us http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/save–all–the-kangaroos.html
.
In this article, interviewed on 15/4/10, http://www.nowuc.com.au/2010/05/27/kangaroo-plan…/comment-page-1/ don fletcher from tams says that kangaroos are not the main problem and in fact ‘native grasses’ are not threatened with extinction, but other animals and plants are, and that “the biggest ‘contributor’ to the loss of the natural treeless grasslands of our region has been agriculture (by far)”.
This statement is admitting to the flawed, dishonest kangaroo management plan, and russell watkinson’s media release, on Friday 18/6/10, that blames the kangaroos for driving legless lizards, earless dragons, etc, and the deteriorating grasslands and woodlands to extinction, by eating all the grasses, when fletcher admits that the native grasses are not threatened by the kangaroos, but by human activity, including toxic sprays.
Please check out this link http://www.canberratimes.com.au/news/local/news/general/roo-best-custodian-for-some-plants/1652005.aspx
, that was in the Canberra times on 17/10/09, that completely refutes the allegations against the roos destroying grasslands, that was sent to maxine cooper, that were also ignored.
The report is by Julie Lindner, who has also been studying the grasslands and the roos for the past 20 years, which backs up what I’ve been saying all along.
http://www.canberratimes.com.au/news/local/news/general/roo-best-custodian-for-some-plants/1652005.aspx
, with a more recent article in the Chronicle in the ‘letters to the editor’ section, titled ‘culling controversy’ p.23, 14/6/11.
Please click on this link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JUZrKj6ClBg ‘KANGAROO CHILLER BOX INVESTIGATION’/’KANGAROOS ON TRACK TO EXTINCTION’, that contains the cruel bashing to death of roos that are shot, but not directly killed, hung up while still alive, and left suffering, trembling as they hang, tortured to death, and joeys bashed to death, possibly attempting to decapitate the joeys head on the back of the truck with several blows.
Please click on this link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zbn3c8EcNRk&feature=related
, so called controlled government butchering, you will note that the kangaroos are still alive when hung up, suffering, AND BEING TORTURED TO DEATH, the male is laughing at the cruelty he has just inflicted on this kangaroo, a joey stomped to death, even the child stomps on it as he walks past following his father, orphaned joeys hopping around, left to starve to death, a joey bashed till its eyes popped out, but is still alive, suffering, a prolonged death, and the male admitting that these are protected species. Native protected animals called pests, the very same native animals that maintain a healthy well balanced eco system. The code of practice that the shooter refers to is inhumane, and unacceptable, as witnessed in this video footage. Kangaroos are not fit for human or dog consumption, heavily contaminated with various diseases/harmful bacterias, e.coli, salmonella, staphylococcus, streptococcus, toxoplasmosis, preserved illegally with sulphur dioxide that causes thiamine deficiency, (a white crystalline solid forming part of the vitamin B complex, C12H17CIN4OS; a vitamin (B1), required by the nervous system, absence of which causes beri-beri and other disorders), causing death, intake of pesticide spraying to control locusts, etc. Keep watching till it stops, keep an eye on the timer, next to the speaker symbol, length 10:59.
There are more links on youtube to show the facts on the extreme cruelty committed to our native protected macropods.
Possum abattoir
http://www.engagemedia.org/Members/HuonEnviroCentre/videos/possumdeath.wmv/view
,
Possum Abattoir – Lenah Game Meats, Tasmania — EngageMedia
These animals are still alive and awake, when going through the abattoir’s chute processing system, dropped on top of one another, through a swinging door, to go through to the next phase, with several possums piled on top of one another, into the same boxes, when delivered to the abattoir, (possums are extremely territorial,) females with joeys, butchered, and bashed to death. Please Help stop these extreme acts of animal cruelty and export. You can help stop these extreme acts of animal cruelty to these possums by adding the above link to the possum abattoir and lodging your submissions by 23/4/10, to wta@environment.gov.au, wildlife.enq@dpipwe.tas.gov.au
and click on link http://www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/trade-use/invitecomment/brushtail-possum.html
Submissions are now closed. This species maintains a healthy well balanced eco system.
Dingoes
Following Wildlife Carers Group Investigation and Report on the Fraser Island Dingoes, on 29/8/11, on 5/9/11, the Liberal National Party (LNP) has committed to ensuring the long term survival of the Fraser Island Dingoes, click this link to read the LNP’s commitments: http://www.lnp.org.au/policies/queenslands-precious-wildlife-the-fraser-island-dingo .
Please click this link to view Wildlife Carers Group follow up on Fraser Island Dingoes Driven to Extinction Report: https://wildlifecarersgroup.wordpress.com/2011/08/29/fraser-island-dingoes-driven-to-extinction/?sn=l , https://wildlifecarersgroup.wordpress.com/2011/09/06/wildlife-carers-group-investigation-and-report-on-the-fraser-island-dingoes-qld-liberal-national-party-takes-action-to-protect-fraser-island-dingoes/?sn=l
Terminating the rangers from their jobs, who are responsible for the inhumane treatment of dingoes on Fraser Island , http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xSSaknF6Wnw&feature=youtu.be
, who are starving them to death, mismanaging them, mistreating them, will prevent driving these spectacular native wildlife species to extinction, and help end acts of animal cruelty. Changing the Qld government legislation and constitution, to humanely conserve this species, and their habitat. Erecting GIVE WAY to DINGOES/WILDLIFE Signs. We can see their marine life up and down the Qld coast, however, the only unique sighting that Fraser Island can boast about, and can offer to the tourists, is the pure breed native Dingoes, once the last 90 odd Dingoes, population estimation as of 28-29 August 2011, (since the mismanaged Fraser Island fire by the Qld government, this Dingo population has more than likely dropped dramatically), that are left on the Island are driven to extinction, through arrogance, mismanagement and mistreatment, Fraser Island will have nothing left to offer to the huge tourist trade it currently holds, which will end Fraser Island tourism. This species maintains a healthy well balanced eco system.
To read Wildlife Carers Group report on WILDLIFE CARERS GROUP VISIT TO TASMANIA in the media, please click on this link, and then click on page 4 (page numbers can change as more articles are added) at the bottom of the page, the articles are in date order: http://tasmaniantimes.com/index.php?/press-releases/P60/
Wildlife Carers Group report on our visit to Tasmania can be seen on this link:
https://wildlifecarersgroup.wordpress.com/2012/01/02/wildlife-carers-group-visit-to-tasmania-wildlife-being-driven-to-extinction-wildlife-care-2112/
Disclaimer: WCG and the author do not assume or accept any responsibility and shall not be liable for the accuracy or appropriate application of the information contained in this letter/email.
wildlifecarersgroup 
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