Take a peek at some of the animals recently nursed back to health and released by carers
From a clingy pelican to a baby flying fox, take a peek at some of the Aussie wildlife recently nursed back to health: SEE THE VIDEO
QLD News
Don't miss out on the headlines from QLD News. Followed categories will be added to My News.
CHRIS Bell lifted the young pelican onto his outstretched arms.
“I tried to get her to fly, but she kept landing at my feet,” he said.
Next, he tried whispering in the large bird’s ear.
“I said ‘Come on, lets go out for a walk’.”
Moments later, Peggy the pelican started swimming behind the wildlife carer out into Townsville’s Ross River Dam.
It was her time to return to the wild following being in the care of Mr Bell, 62, and his wife Helen, 59, for the previous six weeks after being found alone and flightless.
Mr Bell, from North Queensland (NQ) Wildlife Care, said Peggy finally took flight after spotting a pod of pelicans on the lake.
“I was pretty emotional,” he said. “But it was also really touching.”
Kat Cook from NQ Wildlife Care said the pelican was about three months old when she was found alone by the side of the road in Oak Valley, on the outskirts of Townsville.
Too young to fly when found, Peggy spent time gaining her strength with the Bell’s at their Kelso home.
Pete the young pelican joined the family a week later, after being found alone and feeling unwell near a property in Oonoonba.
Released a week earlier than Peggy, Pete quickly flew off.
Miss Cook, 28, said Mr Bell had a magical bond with Peggy.
“When he spoke to her, it was like she was listening. She loved him,” she said.
Volunteer wildlife carers are spread throughout Queensland, working tirelessly with different rescue groups.
The pelicans were just two of many different rehabilitated wild animals released in the Townsville area alone in the past few weeks.
Some of the others either recently released, or who are close to being returned to the bush, include:
Jasmine the possum joey
Jasmine came into care on May 9 after her mother was found dead on a road.
Her carer, Suzanne Hall, described her as an “’itty bitty’, ‘teenie weenie’, baby common brush tailed possum” who weighed only 31 grams and was smaller than Ms Hall’s thumb. The cut off point for young possums having a chance to survive is 30 grams.
Jasmine now weighs 800 grams and is almost ready to be returned to the bush.
Nola the koala
Nola was found on the side of the road, bleeding from the nose and suffering damage to her lungs after being struck by a car near Charters Towers. The truck driver who found her took her to NQ Wildlife Care in Townsville. She was placed in the care of the Magnetic Island Koala Hospital.
The koala, believed to be about two or three, was released into the bush outside of Townsville.
Plum the flying fox
Little Plum, who is now about three months old, was found low in a tree near the Townsville library and was calling out for her mum repeatedly. When her mother never returned, the tiny flying fox climbed down to a carer, desperate for help. Plum will be in care until she is old enough to be released with a local colony.
Hope the Agile Wallaby
Hope the Agile wallaby was found lying next to her mother, who had been killed by a car in Douglas. Hope was also injured when her mum was hit, but has improved following months of rehab, including physiotherapy. She is expected to be released in coming months.
Barking owl
This barking owl was released on September 2 after being in the care of Deborah Carter from Bird of Prey Rescue, Rehabilitation & Release Inc. in Townsville since mid-June.
The native owl was found dying in Ogden Street with a severe infection in her mouth that was effecting her left eye and ability to eat and drink.
She was released back into her territory so that she could be reunited with her mate, as barking owls mate for life.
Flower the Sulphur Crested Cockatoo
This Sulphur crested cockatoo was found covered in wet flour in Ravenswood, about an hour and a half outside of Townsville and was taken to Bird of Prey Rescue, Rehabilitation & Release Inc.
Miss Carter, 53, said a flour had been dumped on a property, then turned into a sticky substance when it rained. Flower the cocky was cleaned up and released four days after coming into care.
