By REBECCA BILLS
WILDLIFE carer Carolyn Seeger is calling on all drivers across the Hills to be extra vigilant of native animals on the road with winter approaching.
Ms Seeger, The Monbulk Wildlife Shelter owner and leader, said coming into winter most pouches were full and a lot of people who hit animals on the roads just left the injured wildlife, without checking for young.
“My message is if they could move the animal off the road where it is safe and check the pouch as a lot of times that is how I get all these babies,” she said.
“A lot of kangaroos, wallabies and wombats all have young in their pouches this time of year coming into winter.
“They will die in the pouch in the cold if people don’t pull them out and rescue them.”
Ms Seeger said just through winter alone more than 50 injured animals were cared for at her shelter.
“I’ve got carers that volunteer and we also work with other carers and shelters in the area,” she said.
“There are people who specialise in caring for the really tiny animals and others who specialise in the bigger ones like I do.
“Most animals take around two years before they are released again.”
Ms Seeger urged those who came across injured wildlife to call a wildlife helpline.
“Ring Help for Wildlife or Wildlife Victoria to ensure the animal gets the care it needs,” she said.
For more information on the helplines, call 0417 380 687 or visit www.helpforwildlife.com for Help for Wildlife and 1300 094 535 or visit www.wildlifevictoria.org.au for Wildlife Victoria.
