- Margaret River Wildlife Hospital to open in October with support of $1.5 million investment from the Cook Labor Government
- Hospital a partnership between WA Wildlife and Wildlife Recovery Australia
- Cook Labor Government committed to protecting and restoring state's wildlife by preparing WA for bird flu
The Cook Labor Government has committed $1.5 million in funding to the South West's first dedicated wildlife hospital as part of Western Australia's bird flu response.
The Margaret River Wildlife Hospital is set to open in late October and will significantly increase WA's capacity to treat native wildlife, support wildlife rehabilitation and respond to wildlife emergencies such as bird flu.
It is a partnership between WA Wildlife and Wildlife Recovery Australia and will provide specialist care for sick, injured and orphaned native animals, including threated species, filling a longstanding service gap outside the metropolitan area.
The hospital will be located at a facility in Margaret River and it will also operate a rescue vehicle that will be used throughout the South West.
Additionally, the hospital will support WA's bird flu response, working closely with the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions and the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development.
The $2.77 million project is being funded via philanthropic funding, in-kind contributions from volunteers and a $1.5 million investment by the Cook Labor Government.
The Margaret River Wildlife Hospital builds on the Cook Labor Government's co-ordinated response to bird flu, which includes:
- regular engagement with the poultry industry, local governments, veterinarians and wildlife rehabilitators, including webinars and community forums;
- enhanced surveillance and testing across the State, supported by trained field teams, expanded laboratory capacity and increased supplies of sampling equipment and personal protective equipment;
- additional training for response personnel in safe sampling techniques, biosecurity procedures and the correct use of personal protective equipment;
- Divisional Commands established in Perth, Esperance, Albany, Bunbury and Geraldton to co-ordinate regional operations, with additional capability in northern Western Australia ready to be activated if required;
- increased surveillance capacity across the metropolitan area, South West, Great Southern, Wheatbelt and Mid West, including joint Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development and Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions monitoring at priority coastal and island locations;
- vessels and field teams deployed to locations including Lancelin and Edwards Island to monitor wildlife populations and identify signs of illness or unusual mortality;
- a central bird flu website and weekly public updates providing clear information and helping Western Australians contribute to early detection;
- a stakeholder communications toolkit providing consistent, practical information for industry, community organisations and other partners to share through their networks;
- regular engagement with the Consultative Committee on Emergency Animal Diseases and the National Management Group;
- Bird Flu Wildlife Resilience Grants for wildlife groups to prepare for the impacts of bird flu; and
- a bird flu vaccination trial for threatened black cockatoo species at Perth Zoo.
Anyone who sees sick or dead birds or marine mammals should AVOID and not handle the animals but RECORD and take photos or a video and REPORT to the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline on 1800 675 888. Western Australians can keep up to date on developments by visiting: wa.gov.au/birdflu
As stated by the Environment Minister Matthew Swinbourn:
"This is another great example of the Cook Labor Government working with the wildlife sector to secure the best possible outcomes for our wildlife.
"The Margaret River Wildlife Hospital will provide the South West with its first dedicated facility for treating sick, injured and orphaned native wildlife.
"This hospital will provide specialised care for native wildlife while delivering long-term benefits for wildlife rehabilitation, conservation, biosecurity and emergency response, which is particularly important as we prepare for the onset of bird flu.
"Importantly, it will significantly increase wildlife treatment and deliver benefits for wildlife rehabilitation across the region and complements the new WA Wildlife Busselton rehabilitation facility."
As stated by Agriculture and Food Minister Jackie Jarvis:
"Living in the South West, I know how much our community values our unique native wildlife, so I'm really pleased to see this project coming to life.
"Building that capacity now is an important part of making our wildlife sector more resilient and better prepared for threats such as bird flu."
As stated by WA Wildlife CEO Dean Huxley:
"This is an exciting step forward for wildlife rehabilitation in the South West and will provide much-needed support for wildlife rehabilitators, veterinarians, government agencies and the community from Augusta to Bunbury.
"WA Wildlife is incredibly grateful to partner with Wildlife Recovery Australia to bring this vision to life and build a stronger, more connected wildlife care network across the region.
"Together, we are creating a service that will make a real difference for native wildlife for many years to come and will be a critical service if bird flu reaches community bird populations in the South West."
