Wildlife Hospital in Queensland

The Facts

Placement details:
This Sanctuary was founded in 2001 as a place for injured, sick and orphaned wildlife. The animals get medical treatment, rest and recuperation before they are hopefully released in to the wild. Harry is specialized in birds of prey and the wildlife hospital houses three Wedgetail-eagles which cannot be released plus lots of other raptors. Karin cares mainly for the orphaned kangaroos, possums and small marsupials. The team are currently working on renewing enclosures and building a hospital and education centre.

Why the placement needs volunteers:
Harry and Karin run the centre by themselves and animals often need constant care and attention. The animals they take in are native animals that will often be refused treatment elsewhere. The number of animals in the hospital can go up to as many as 70 which is a massive amount for 2 people to handle alone. It’s a rare opportunity to get up close some of Australia’s native wildlife.

What kind of skills you need to go on this type of placement:
Anyone with skills in building or carpentry would be very welcome. You must be hands on person willing to pitch in wherever you are needed. Most of your work will be outdoors so you will need to be ready to work in all weathers and do tough physical work. Living is quite communal so you must be able to get on with others and work in a team. Co-operation is vital and the animals must come first.

Your role as a volunteer:
Volunteers are needed to assist on a daily basis with the animals. One of the major tasks at the moment is rebuilding new cages and breaking down and clearing away old ones. You will find yourself painting, building and cleaning all over the grounds. The grounds of the hospital also need contact maintenance and the veggie garden is an important food source for the centre.

Where the placement is based:
The hospital is based about 10 kilometres from Ravenshoe a small town about 2.5 hours from Cairns. Volunteers will stay on the hospital itself where accommodation is in basic but clean caravans.

Please book your flights into Cairns airport. You must arrive between 10am and 3 pm as it is a long journey to the project from Cairns.