FAR NORTH QUEENSLAND
Wildlife Rescue Queensland (WRQ) are proud to have expanded into North Queensland with a small group of dedicated carers to provide the rescue, rehabilitation and soft release of our Native Australian Wildlife. Areas that are included on the Far North of Queensland are Cooktown, Cairns, The Atherton Tablelands and into the Westerns Savannah and Cape York.
Carers are trained in the rescue, rehabilitation, care and release of our diverse native tropical wildlife.
The North Queensland carers are covered under WRQ’s Group Rehabilitation Permit issues by the Queensland Department of Environment & Sciences.
The North Queensland carers are supported by a North Queensland coordinator who can be contacted at farnq@wrq.org.au and still are under the Wildlife Rescue Queensland’s committee’s directions.
Wildlife Rescue Far North Queensland
24 HOUR HOTLINE
Phone (07) 4281 6869
Cooktown | Cairns | Atherton Tableland | Western Savannah | Cape York
THE WILDLIFe WE CARE FOR
WRQ cares for a wide range of species of Australian native fauna. We are permitted to care for all the common species of Australian Wildlife including possums, gliders, kangaroos, wallabies, bandicoots, birds and many more. In 2018 we were granted approval to extend our rehabilitation permit to cover many more species of animals that are classed as ‘Specialist Species’. Our permit was extended to also include raptors, emus, koalas, reptiles, echidnas, bats and restricted mammals. We have many carers in the group who are experienced to care for a wide variety of animals. It is always our intention to put the needs of the individual animal first and to do this we will often work collaboratively with other wildlife organisations and animal hospitals to ensure the animal is receiving the best care possible.
OUR DAILY OBJECTIVES
RESCUE
We offer a 24-hour Wildlife Emergency Hotline that members of the public can call if they find injured wildlife. Our volunteers are on call to attend rescues during the day or night. Injured animals are then transported to the Australia Zoo Animal Hospital or RSPCA for assessment. We also have permitted Trauma Carers in the group who are on call to attend serious rescues where drugs or euthanasia may be required.
REHABILITATE
We provide ongoing specialised care for orphaned or sick native wildlife. Care for these animals focus on their physical and psychological needs. Wildlife carers must have correct training, adequate time, appropriate facilities and be prepared to meet all the costs incurred, such as for food, housing and some medical expenses, as they recuperate, grow or gain their strength back and are fit and ready for release.
RELEASE
We release adult animals back where they were found or, in the case of orphaned animals, into a safe and suitable release site which has suitable vegetation. We perform soft releases in most cases, which involves getting the animal accustomed to the area and then, over time, opening the release cage. We continue to supplement feed the animals for a couple of weeks to help support them as they are reintroduced into the wild.
EDUCATE
We aim to educate the public on many issues relating to the welfare of our precious wildlife. Public awareness and support help to support our local wildlife against the impact of our local communities, such as deforestation and expanding roadworks to name a few. We aim to educate through our social media platform as well as conducting awareness talks at various organisations.