Nillumbik Council’s plan to change its injured wildlife euthanising service under fire
Fears injured wildlife could be left to suffer after being hit by a car could become a reality as Nillumbik Council threatens to change its euthanising service.
North
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Nillumbik Council is considering shifting the responsibility of euthanising injured wildlife to Victoria Police and Wildlife Victoria.
But wildlife advocates fear the change will result in injured animals suffering for longer if the move is passed at a council meeting in May.
The plan, which came under fire at a public meeting on Monday, recommends any move to put-down an injured animal fall to Victoria Police and Wildlife Victoria, because of the risks of council staff managing guns.
The change is estimated to save the council $56,000 a year.
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The council did not answer Diamond Valley Leader’s questions about the perceived risks to staff.
Nillumbik resident Cathie Joy said the service should remain the council’s responsibility.
“Given how slowly the police tend to attend rural incidents, and the fact that they are already overrun with legal issues, I wonder about the distress and pain to injured animals if the police are designated as the go-to,” she said.
“I’ve called the ranger out five times in the last ten years — just me. Imagine how many others have used this valuable service.
“He (the ranger) was there in 20 minutes, put the poor kangaroo out of his misery and checked to see if it was a female with a joey on board.”
Help for Wildlife founder and volunteer Sue Kirwan called the proposal “abominable”.
“These jobs can take hours, which means these animals will be suffering longer,” she said.
The Doreen volunteer said she was called out to three seriously injured wallabies in Eltham as recently as Thursday morning — all needed to be put down.
“We’re not allowed to shoot on the side of the road and we are not allowed to carry the drugs which helps put down the animals,” Ms Kirwan said.
“We need to get a proper space permit to take the animals away to shoot, that is extra paperwork and the process can take weeks.”
Stella Reid, another volunteer who has been running a St Andrews wildlife sanctuary for 30 years, said the animals deserved more.
“They are our national emblem,” Ms Reid said.
“Imagine a kangaroo laying for help in the street gutter with two broken legs, trying to escape and a group of schoolchildren walk past on their way to school.
“It’s not good for anybody.”
But Wildlife Victoria chief executive Megan Davidson said they would work with the council to ensure animals would not be left to suffer.
“We will continue to work with Nillumbik as they make the transition away from the injured wildlife euthanisation service, and we entirely understand why they have come to this decision,” she said.
“Between 7pm and 7am we generally have someone answering the phone.
“The police are also very effective in responding to injured wildlife because they are road hazards at the end of the day.”
Nillumbik Mayor Karen Egan said the council was committed to ensuring the safety of staff, while working towards a plan that was “humane” and in-line with community expectations.
“The shire understands the need to humanely euthanise injured and distressed wildlife with the use of firearms as soon as possible,” Cr Egan said.
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