Sick and injured sea turtles are one of the marine species set to benefit from a proposed new purpose-built rehabilitation facility in the Kimberley region.
Native Animal Rescue Broome has recently been granted a lease by the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA) for the use of a portion of a reserve in the Broome townsite for the establishment of the facility.
Native Animal Rescue Broome was established in 2014 to provide wildlife rescue and rehabilitation services to native animals in the Kimberley area. Its volunteers currently house sick and injured sea turtles in temporary facilities and are in need of a purpose-built centre to provide the specialised care its patients need.
The granting of the lease enables the organisation to establish its rehabilitation centre for marine fauna, which will greatly assist with its work on the sea turtle rescue project - an initiative supported by DBCA and Perth Zoo.
The reserve also houses another volunteer wildlife care organisation, Kimberley Wildlife Rehabilitation Inc, which provides important care for terrestrial wildlife in the Kimberley region and has agreed to the co-location of Native Animal Rescue Broome on the land.
As stated by Environment Minister Stephen Dawson:
"The McGowan Government values the vital work of wildlife rehabilitation groups and the high standard of care they provide to some of Western Australia's most vulnerable wildlife.
"Broome is fortunate to have some very proficient wildlife care groups, including Native Animal Rescue Broome and Kimberley Wildlife Rehabilitation Inc.
"With the establishment of Native Animal Rescue Broome's purpose-built native marine fauna rehabilitation centre, the reserve will become a hub for wildlife rehabilitation, ensuring sick, injured and orphaned animals have the best chance of making their way back to their native habitats."
