Carers call for extra support for rehab vision

Volunteers at Kimberley Wildlife Carers are appealing for support from the Broome community to turn their vision of running an animal rehabilitation centre into a reality.

For more than a decade, KWC have worked to establish a centre in Broome for recuperating wildlife. In 2011, the carers’ group acquired 5ha land at Lullfitz Drive through the Department of Environment and Conservation, and have since fundraised for resources needed for their rehab centre project.

After receiving community support by way of donations including materials such as posts and fencing, KWC said it now needed extra pairs of hands to keep the project going.

Co-founder and volunteer Dennis Bishop said the organisation needed a volunteer project manager for their centre vision.

“Someone with a bit of expertise, who can liaise with concreting companies and other contractors … that’s the expertise we need,” she said.

“Once the fence is up, we can start to develop inside.”

The vision for the rehabilitation centre included a caretaker’s cottage, reception area, a hospital, ablution blocks and storage areas built on a quarter of the block, with the remainder untouched because of the existing wildlife inhabitants.

Ms Bishop’s fellow KWC co-founder Jan Martin said it was vital the project went ahead in Broome. “It’s extremely important, I get injured animals in, and once they start to come good, they need a bit of exercises, and they can’t do that in my own backyard,” she said.

“I’ve got babies at home who are ready to go on to the first stage of rehabilitation.”

They have to do high-impact exercises to get their legs strong, same with the birds and the bats — we need the larger aviaries and the bats, to be able to get the exercise.”

After devoting 20 years to her life looking after injured and abandoned wildlife, Mrs Martin said she was desperate for support.

“It’s just getting harder and harder and I’m wearing out,” she said.

“If we don’t get something soon, all of this will go into a big heap.”

Anyone interested in helping with the project should contact Jan Martin on 9193 7489.