Yesterday, our first RSPCA South Australia team returned from a tough few days on Kangaroo Island treating fire-affected animals.
The team of three – veterinarian Gayle, inspector Cheryl and animal handler Cher – spent four days assessing and caring for wildlife in fire-devastated areas of the island before our second team arrived.
Here, we’d like to share the work of our dedicated team through images.
January 10: without electricity or running water, our team treats burn victims in a makeshift vet clinic
Inspector Cheryl treats a koala’s burnt feet.
A sedated koala is given pain relief as their wounds are dressed.
Animal handler Cher and vet Gayle treat another burnt koala.
The aftermath of the fires.
January 11: for the first time, our team is allowed into the Hanson Bay Wildlife Sanctuary on KI’s badly hit western side
Cher inspects the damage.
Our team gets to work at an impromptu field animal hospital in Hanson Bay.
January 12: venturing across the island, our team looks out for any remaining survivors amid ash and rubble
This lizard, a rare Rosenberg Goanna, was among the survivors.
A burnt koala is sedated and given pain relief before being brought to safety.
SAVEM’s field animal hospital at Parndana.
January 13: As our first team departs, our ‘travelling pet supplies’ van arrives to help affected domestic animals
Commercial operations manager Stuart has arrived with the animal ambulance, bearing dog and cat food, chicken pellets and bird seed, collars and leads, food and water bowls, medication, cat litter trays and more.
Tired and sore koalas rest in a play pen kindly donated by Petbarn.
We’re so grateful for the overwhelming amount of support we’ve received during this crisis. It’s thanks to funding from our supporters that we’re able to continue treating animals in need on fire-devastated Kangaroo Island. To help us continue this work, you can donate to our Bushfire Appeal here.
