Jeremy receiving much needed treatment on all four burnt paws
A fantastic effort by four agencies (CFS, Native Animal Network, Fauna Rescue and AMWRRO) working together for the best outcome for Jeremy a young male koala and the first bushfire victim to pass through the AMWRRO Wildlife Clinic. Jeremy has been assessed and all four paws treated for second-degree partial thickness burns, he is doing very well and is in great spirits. Thank you to all involved in his treatment thus far and for anyone wanting to support the AMWRRO Wildlife Clinic please feel free to donate via the donate now button on the home page. Your support is greatly appreciated and will help save thousands of live.
One of two whales that had their teeth hacked out with a hacksaw
Samples being taken by AMWRRO crew
Today a crew from AMWRRO including expert Veterinary Pathologist from the AMWRRO Scientific Board Dr Lucy Woolford attended the Ardrossan beach (Parara) where the seven Sperm Whales beached and died yesterday.
Unfortunately two of the animals had already been subject to senseless vandalism by having several of their teeth cut out with a hacksaw.
AMWRRO crew collected important samples that will be tested for suspect viruses that could have caused these animals to beach in the first instance. These test results will be made available once the results have been cleared by the AMWRRO Scientific Board and provided to the Department for Environment Water and Natural Resources (DEWNR).
Of the seven animals beached five were sampled due to inaccessible locations and all of which were adult female animals.
Unfortunately one of which was a lactating female – meaning there is a very real chance that a young animal is without mother and if not weaned may wash up dead in the near future.
One report that these animals were subject to propeller strikes had been proven incorrect by AMWRRO as they were in fact teeth raking marks – not propeller strike injuries.
For those wanting to attend and photograph these animals, please remember that there is a 50m no approach zone that should be adhered to by all and this includes pets as these animals could carry viruses that could potentially be transmitted to mammals ( e.g. dogs and humans!)
Net found on Semaphore Beach
Dead fur seal found entangled by its head
AMWRRO receives reports from across Australia of ghost nets float at sea with dead marine animals seen entangled in them – but never has there been one retrieved along Adelaide’s metro beaches with dead marine mammals still entangled.
AMWRRO Crew attended Semaphore beach early this morning and retrieved a net spanning over 80sqm and weighing in at approximately 60kg. Unfortunately this net claimed at least one life that we know of – a young fur seal that was entangled by its head was removed from the net once back at AMWRRO.
This shocking find is a timely reminder of how sensitive our oceans are, especially when something as large as this is found floating around our sensitive coast lines. Several government departments were notified but were not interested in the net or other findings – of which can not be made public as yet.
If nets are found floating at sea please contact your local authority first before attempting to retrieve it from the ocean. These nets can carry hundreds of dead animals around the oceans and can weigh in at several hundred tons; any attempt to attach ghost nets to your recreational vessel can lead to catastrophe and is not recommended.
AMWRRO can also be contacted on 8262 5452 or by email @ info@amwrro.org.au
