Logan Council is to be commended for its first ever allocation of funds towards the rescue of injured and orphaned wildlife. This represents a victory for wildlife care groups and LACA who have been advocating for a funded service to support the voluntary rescue carried out each day by the many tireless wildlife carers across Logan, Scenic Rim and beyond. Read Logan's media release here. The people in these groups have been working liaising  with RSPCA in a unpaid capacity, and with local vets who treat some wildlife. Mostly they receive no funds for fuel, shelter, cages, food or medication for wildlife in care. Brisbane may be the exception.

The Wildlife Ambulance will be manned by volunteers with fuel paid by RSPCA-Logan agrement. RSPCA at WACOL have 6 wildlife clinics where triage is administerd by wildlife vets. However for longterm care the animal goes to a carer. If you are interested to train as a driver and wildlife rescuer contact contact RSPCA on 3426 9986 or for further information contact Annette Colling (RSPCA Qld) on 3426 9986 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..  You will have to complete some paperwork and will receive on-the-job training. Initially it is most probable that the ambulance will have 2 'staff'.

While in November 2012, Logan Council and RSPCA Qld unveiled the keenly-anticipated Animal Ambulance Vehicle - a service primarily for sick, injured or orphaned wildlife there is much more to be done. Council committed $105,500 from its 2012/2013 Budget to the partnership with RSPCA Qld. While this is appreciated it is a paultry amount allocated from our council rates compared with $2million for a new ANIMAL MANAGEMENT CENTRE.

LACA appreciates the invaluable dedication and long term care provided by wildlife carers. This will and must continue . It would be another step forward if some funding were available to assist those dedicated carers.

RSPCA's Operation Spring Rescue explains that care and rehabilitation for each injured wildlife  costs about $1000 - and during spring 2600 injured, displaced and orphaned wildlife will rely on RSPCA. In addition there are groups like  BARN , ONARR, FAUNA, WILDCARE, ARROW, Batrescue and others who provide rescue longterm care and then release after recovery.These people are the real wildlife  heroes.

Health, Environment and Sustainability Committee Chairperson, Councillor Lisa Bradley, (Division 1), said the ambulance was a result of the formation of the city's Wildlife Rescue Service, a service which was forged from the partnership between Council and the RSPCA Qld.

LACA is looking towards further information being available from the Wildlife Rescue Service to guide further volunteers keen to help.

Meanwhile the best policy for residents to adhere to is one that will reduce the number of fauna trauma.

1. Keep your domestic animals - cats and dogs contained - especially at night.
2. Be alert and aware  when driving and slow down in known /marked wildlife corridors.
3. Plant native plants to provide natural food for wildlife.
4. Injured birds - contact B.I.R.O http://www.biro.org.au/found.html a specialised native bird care group
5. Bats may only be handled by a vaccinated carer / rescuer. eg Batrescue