Covering a vast region from Collinsville to St Lawrence and west to mining towns, Fauna Rescue Whitsundays is a volunteer-run network dedicated to helping sick, injured, and orphaned native wildlife.
Operating a 24/7 hotline, the group coordinates rescues and matches animals with trained species-specific carers.
President Kerry Aspland, involved for over 15 years, leads the macropod rescues and helps manage the team of responders.
“We have first responders that go out and collect the sick, injured animal. Then they speak to the coordinators,” she explained.
“I'm a coordinator of macropods. They then would ring me, and then I will best place the animal to where I know it's going to fit in with that group. We have coordinators in each different area.”
Kerry’s passion began 30 years ago when she rescued a joey on the road to Townsville. Now, with expert support and growing community awareness, she hopes to see even more engagement—especially for hotline operators and bird carers in Mackay.
Every rescue aims for release, using a “soft release” method that eases animals back into the wild.
“We don't just throw them out in the bush and go, there you go, fend for yourself. We support, feed them, and then slowly open their gates so they can go free,” explained Kerry.
“They'll generally come back for a few days, and then they disappear. They become wild again.”
Fauna Rescue Whitsundays continues to play a vital role in preserving the region’s precious wildlife.
Fauna Rescue Whitsundays Natalie Lock, Gary Brown, Kerry Aspland, and Di Forster at the recent Rock Wallaby Festival in Proserpine. Photo credit: Daniel Heggie
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