Miles Doing What Matters: Support for native wildlife carers grows

• More than 180 Queensland wildlife carers and organisations will share in $1.5 million in grants from the Miles Labor Government.
• The grants will cover training expenses, care equipment such as enclosure and shelters, hospital and feeding consumables, food and food preparation and storage equipment.
• This investment builds on more than $37 million from the Miles Labor Government for targeted action to protect threatened species and koalas this year.

187 of Queensland’s dedicated wildlife carers and organisations will share in more than $1.5 million in grant funding from the Miles Labor Government.

The critical funding for those who rescue and rehabilitate sick and injured native wildlife and release them back into the wild will help continue this important work.

The grants will help cover training expenses, care equipment such as enclosure and shelters, hospital and feeding consumables, food and food preparation and storage equipment.

It builds on more than $37 invested by the Miles Labor Government for direct action on threatened specific and koalas this year alone.

That includes more than $3 in funding towards critical wildlife care at Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital, RSPCA Queensland and the Currumbin Wildlife Hospital.

Only the Miles Labor Government is doing what matters to support Queensland’s wildlife and unique biodiversity.

This is in stark contrast to the LNP who were environmental vandals when in government – trashing our iconic environment and accelerating clearing.

The LNP weakened tree clearing protection laws, which led to vegetation being cleared in Queensland at a rate of 1000 football fields a day, regardless of whether they were high-value koala habitat.

This legislation is at risk of being wound back by under an LNP Government – putting protection of native wildlife habitat in jeopardy.

Quotes attributable to the Minister for the Environment and the Great Barrier Reef, Leanne Linard:

“Our wildlife carers and organisations are essential to the continued protection and preservation of our native animals.

“Providing care for sick and injured animals can be a 24/7 responsibility but there is great joy when our wildlife carers release rehabilitated animals back into the wild.

“The Miles Government is committed to supporting these incredible people in providing this service.

“This funding will help many of our dedicated cares to expand their capacity to support native wildlife rescue, rehabilitation and release to the wild by purchasing necessary equipment, to improve the quality of care they can provide.

“I’m glad that we can support them in continuing to pursue their passions and make a difference in the lives of our native wildlife.”

Quotes attributable to the President of Somerset Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation Patrina Paidel:

“I cannot tell you the difference this funding will make. I want to thank the Queensland Government for supporting us in the vital role we play to protect and preserve our incredible native wildlife.

“Prices of the supplies we need to care for and rehabilitate the animals in our care – largely macropods, gliders and possums – have skyrocketed since COVID and many wildlife carers are struggling to keep afloat.

“A lot of people think the most important part of being a wildlife carer is raising babies. While this is a vital role, the most important part of our role is ensuring they have a safe release site and a supported, soft release back into the wild. Everything we do for them is to successfully release them where they will integrate with other animals, reproduce and live a good life.”

Further information:

Recipients include:

A full list of the individuals and organisations to receive funding, as well as more information about round 8 of the Community Sustainability Action grants program, is available here: https://www.qld.gov.au/environment/management/funding/community-sustainability

ENDS

Media contact: Scott Chandler – (07) 3719 7339