Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary report 5000 more rescues in past two years

While it is a haven for wildlife care in Tasmania, Bonorong is being pushed to the brink by a dramatic rise in rescues coming through its doors. The numbers.

Arnold the Tasmanian short-beaked echidna has been rescued by Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary after he was hit by a car. Photo: Petra Harris

One of Tasmania’s biggest wildlife sanctuaries is calling on the public to “make a pledge” to take better care of wildlife after another record year of rescues threatens to push them to the brink.

The 9.7 hectare Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary on the outskirts of Brighton might seem like it always has a place for the next needy and ill animal, but the rapidly increasing numbers coming through its doors year after year will leave the property at full capacity.

Bonorong director Greg Irons said more than 20,000 animals came through the sanctuary’s doors last year, increasing by more than 5000 animals since 2022.

Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary director Greg Irons with echidnas. Picture: Chris Kidd

“That is alarming,” he said.

“If it keeps growing at that rate, there’s no way that we can handle that growth.

“The hospital will obviously be set to handle it, but we still need people on the ground.”

Bonorong currently has projects underway for a new wing to its wildlife hospital, expected to be completed in a few more months, and an extension of the seabird sanctuary, estimated to be ready for use in 2026.

Even with these upgrades and extensions, Mr Irons said there would not be enough space to cope with the dramatically increasing numbers of wildlife needing assistance.

“We estimate about 40 per cent are hit by vehicles, whether that's a suspected or confirmed hit,” he said.

“Then it’s the obvious ones – dogs, cats, obviously right up there, but things like rubbish, fishing line and fishing hooks, it’s an alarming amount.

4 month old Bennetts Wallaby Joey named Lilac at Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary. Picture: Chris Kidd

“Ninety-seven per cent of what we see is injuries relating to people, either directly or indirectly.”

Often wildlife is rescued from populated areas like Hobart and Launceston or found injured in suburban areas.

“There’s a very key message in that,” Mr Irons said.

“Everyone just analysing four or five things in their life and changing minor things could see literally tens of thousands of lives saved.”

Mr Irons said changes like keeping your cat or dog inside, cleaning up rubbish from your yard and local area or training to become a wildlife carer could help to improve wildlife statistics.

Bonorong also urges drivers to slow down when travelling between dusk and dawn and to plan trips to avoid travelling in those times.

Insurer RACT in 2024 reported that collisions with wildlife on Tasmanian roads led to 3900 insurance claims in 12 months causing $14m in damages.

It said the most common areas for roadkill over the past six years were on the state’s three major highways – the Tasman Highway, Midland Highway and Bass Highway.

Originally published as Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary report 5000 more rescues in past two years