City of Logan are offering wildlife carers much-needed financial support after recent devastating flooding, to rehabilitate animals injured in the disaster.
Registered carers can access up to $3,000 in Wildlife Carer Support Funding through Council’s EnviroGrants program.
The Council has extended the application period for additional wildlife carer funding support by two weeks. It is now open until 31 March 2022.
The funding, an increase on the usual $1,500 grants, is to help them nurse wildlife back to health after devastating flooding across the city.
Environment Chair, Councillor Jon Raven, said the extra money would provide vital support for local carers.
“Council has doubled its support for the City of Logan’s carers in the wake of the devastating flooding across the city,” Cr Raven said.
“We know that flooding impacts animals as well as people and our carers do an amazing job getting sick, injured and abandoned animals back to health.”
Flagstone carers, Bob and Maureen Wiley, look after about 40 animals at any one time.
Their living room resembles an animal hospital, with sick and injured possums and gliders receiving treatment. Tawny frogmouths, kingfishers and corellas shelter are in aviaries outside.
The Wileys’ property was under ankle deep water during the flood.
“The backyard was under 150mm of water,” Mr Wiley said.
Ms Wiley said the extra funding was welcome.
“It’s a god send, it really is.
“With floods, you just get inundated with animals which have been washed out, or blown out, of their habitats.
“This money will be absolutely fantastic for us.”
Cornubia wildlife carer Mr Rockstroh with one of the flying foxes he is caring for at his Cornubia home. Image: City of Logan
Cornubia wildlife carers, Joerg and Anja Rockstroh, help rehabilitate injured and abandoned flying foxes.
The couple is currently caring for 17 of the fruit bats and have had up to 30 at times in their backyard aviary.
The Rockstrohs, who moved to Australia from Germany 14 years ago and instantly fell in love with Australia’s native animals and plants, spend thousands of dollars each year in food and housing costs to rehabilitate wildlife.
“This extra financial support from Council is really appreciated,” Ms Rockstroh said.
“We hope to build a second aviary so any help with that would be a boost.
“We weren’t flooded, but any extra in grants that we might receive under this new program would also allow us to help other wildlife carers who were affected.”
More information on the EnviroGrants program, including how to apply for individual Wildlife Carer Support funding, is available at EnviroGrants – Logan City Council.
This is a developing story, stay up to date on the East Coast flood crisis here.
