Taronga Western Plains Zoo’s Wildlife Hospital has recorded its busiest month ever in terms of free-ranging wildlife animal admissions.
In a statement, the Zoo said that in December its hospital’s veterinary team saw a total of 102 wildlife cases, a 70 per cent increase on the five-year December average.
Veterinarian at Taronga Western Plains, Michelle Campbell said last year was the second busiest year to date after a record 2019, in which it saw so much wildlife impacted by the drought.
“This year, and particularly towards the latter part of the year, the most common presentation for wildlife was trauma,” Dr Campbell said.
“The majority of trauma cases we would categorise as anthropogenic or human-induced,” she said.
“Examples of trauma cases in December included animals that sustained injuries from motor vehicles, those caught in fences, some that were attacked by domestic pets and even one poor bird who had been shot in the wing.”
Dr Campbell said the Wildlife Hospital had experienced an atypical dip in wildlife admissions during the lockdown months from March to August, which was concurrent with less human activity and cars on the roads.
She said the drop in Wildlife Hospital admissions was a reminder of the influence humans had on wildlife health and safety.
“As we go about our business, we need to be mindful of the impact our everyday activities can have on wild animals that share our environment,” she said.
Dr Campbell said the Wildlife Hospital serviced a large area and in addition to cases from the Dubbo/Narromine/Wellington region, the team also saw animals brought to the hospital from Cobar, Warren, Collie, Mendooran, Dunedoo, Coonabarabran, Gunnedah, Cudal, Trundle and Spring Ridge during December.
