Eyes Open for Wildlife Campaign Launch

Just weeks into spring and calls to Wildlife Victoria’s Emergency Response Service have hit unprecedented levels with over 1000 calls each week to rescue or provide assistance to wildlife in distress.

Grey Headed Flying Fox pups. Photo: Wildlife Victoria

Wildlife Victoria is gearing up for what is anticipated to be the busiest spring on record. 

In many parts of Victoria the convergence of traditional bushland and urban sprawl has become a regular event, leading to the majority of incidents that Wildlife Victoria respond to.

This spring, Wildlife Victoria is launching a new and exciting consumer campaign called “Eyes Open for Wildlife”.

“The campaign is designed to educate Victorians to contact us as soon as possible via the Emergency Service line which is available 24/7, 365 days a year. Most people don’t realise that wildlife related calls to other services are usually referred back to Wildlife Victoria,” Karen Masson, CEO of Wildlife Victoria, said.

"We want to promote this service simply to reduce the response time, which will hopefully increase the chance of a positive outcome for the animal and the community.”

In context, last spring alone Wildlife Victoria responded to calls about the following species:

• 1,394 ringtail possums
• 1,190 eastern grey kangaroos
• 245 Echidnas
• 205 Koalas

“Astonishingly, 1,200 calls were about orphaned animals last spring," Masson.

“The first three weeks of spring this year have seen these numbers increase by an unprecedented 40 per cent. Based on year on year trends, annual figures are expected to increase 20 per cent overall this year and by 40-50 per cent over the next 3-5 years making the funding and resource challenge extremely important to Wildlife Victoria.

“The campaign will be supported with some very funky headbands available for $4.00. We would love everyone to buy and wear a headband in October to show their support for this vital community service.

“You will act as an ambassador for Wildlife Victoria by spreading the word amongst your family and friends, ensuring that they too know who to call when they find sick, injured and orphaned wildlife.

“Paddy Pallin, the outdoor adventure store experts have graciously partnered with Wildlife Victoria to make the headbands available for sale in all Victorian stores and online at paddypallin.com.au."

All proceeds will go to Wildlife Victoria’s Emergency Response Service.

“At Paddy Pallin, concern for the environment is not just an important issue; it’s a way of life, a commitment that governs many aspects of the company. For this reason we are proud to be getting behind Wildlife Victoria with their new fundraising initiative. We encourage everyone to find the loose change and buy themselves a headband,” Paddy Pallin Manager Chris Mein said.

Wildlife Victoria’s Emergency Response service operates 24/7, 365 days a week is 100 per cent funded and provided by public donations and serviced by many passionate volunteers.

“We always need more dedicated volunteers and donors to continue this vital community service," Masson said.

"We hope the 'Eyes Open for Wildlife' campaign will bring awareness to the service but also assist us in generating much needed funds to continue our excellent emergency response service."

Find out more at http://wildlifevictoria.org.au/