GREEN HIP & Happening - Genuine Stories from Genuine Women
Jess and her animal rescue centre treated 465 animals in the past year. Native Tasmanian animals found injured and orphaned are put into contact with Jess and her team at the Kanamuluka Wildlife Rehab Centre (KWRC) who aim to rehabilitate as many of these animals as they can back into the wild.
Jess, her husband and children, travelled to Tassie just before the covid lockdowns. Whilst holidaying in an AirBnb they fell in love with the area and decided to move their lives from the Blue Mountains. Jess brought with her a wealth of animal rescue expertise and now, three years later, they are operating a rapidly growing rescue centre. A demand for her experience has seen the animal numbers sent to KWRC escalate quickly.
Licenced for almost all animals except devils and quolls, Jess mostly treats pademelons, wallabies, possums and wombats, but will take in anything in need. The animals mostly come from road accidents, cruel human intervention and disease. Sadly some injuries are caused by traps, gunshots and arrows from bows. One galah was presented with a chopstick through its body from a home made projectile device.
Jess moved to Tasmania with a deposit for a house saved but soon spent it all setting up KWRC. There is no government funding for wildlife rescue (and rehabilitation) centres which means Jess has to rely on donations from the public to cover all ongoing expenses. Jess works full time in the centre, her husband works full time elsewhere, however helps with the night and weekend animal rehab shifts. She estimates together they work 110 hours per week at KWRC. Despite the hard work, it brings them incredible joy to see the outcomes and both agree it's worth it.
The Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary operates Tasmania's largest 24 hour rescue service. It acts like a triple zero call centre and connects injured wildlife to specialised carers, giving each animal found the best chance for survival. When an animal is found by a member of the public, it is phoned in, and its information is uploaded onto an app. Nearby carers can opt in to pick up and care for the animal. Jess takes on many animals from this fantastic service.
Unfortunately animals who are deemed incapable of being rehabilitated enough to be released back into the wild must be euthanised. For those who can make a full recovery, time is spent dehumanising the animals at KWRC's large outdoor fenced grounds with a hands off, tough love approach before they are released.
Jess has ensured her outdoor areas match that of the animals natural habitat including wombat dens that are dug 800mm down into the ground before turning up another 1400mm. The macropods have large fenced areas lined with trees and shade cloth. And fully enclosed enclosures have been built for the recovering birds.
Jess agrees it is hard work running a rescue centre with sometimes unfavourable outcomes, however the positives far outway the negatives. The satisfaction and joy of saving the little Aussie natives lives and releasing them is second to none. There are loads of snuggles, laughs, and special cuteness overload moments made with the gorgeous and grateful animals. Jess does it all for the love!
You can support the KWRC by donating via their website https://www.kanamalukawildlife.org.au/
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