Wildlife carer leaves mark on Broome

Intelligent, caring and straightforward, Lesley Baird will be remembered fondly by a close circle of friends, the wider Broome community and the many animals she cared for.

Lesley passed away in Broome early in July after a lengthy battle with lung cancer.

Originally from Victoria, where she grew up and worked for more than 25 years as a librarian and lecturer with computer company IBM, Lesley moved to Broome in 1997.

She first came to Broome on a holiday around Australia with friends in 1976 and vowed to return when she retired.

Close friend and fellow wildlife carer Jan Martin said she remembered a wildlife carer’s group holding a meeting and Lesley being the only volunteer to be signed up on the night.

“Lesley didn’t know anything about wildlife caring when she got here but she was a very intelligent person … and she had a big heart – not necessarily for people, but for animals,” she said.

“She had this strong belief that there was unconditional love you could get from an animal that you just couldn’t get from a person.

“Lesley had a gift shop at the time and she was great because even if she was at work we could take animals to her. It just snowballed from there.”

Lesley dedicated her life and home to wildlife rehabilitation through Chelonia Wildlife Rehabilitation and Release. Her home was often full of native birds, marsupials and turtles.

With her knowledge and love for animals, Lesley became a much appreciated part of the Broome community as she took in many native and wild animals.

Mrs Martin said she had developed supportive networks with animal carers, including respected professionals all over the world, and had good relationships with other independent wildlife carers in Broome, who co-operated well together.

Although she was seldom seen without mascara and her pearl earrings, Lesley dressed modestly and was not in town a lot, her priority being her animals and close friends.

Lesley’s skill and passion for animals will not be lost on the people she was close to. Kylie Sherwood, who started working with Lesley some three years ago, will continue Chelonia Wildlife Rehabilitation and Release in Broome.

“I moved to Broome with my husband for work, and had been involved with wildlife care, but wanted to complete my certification, and Lesley was happy to mentor and teach me,” she said “This led to my passion for sea turtles, also one of Lesley’s main passions.” Ms Sherwood said Lesley had also mentored a young girl named Zoey, now almost 14, who at the age of nine started working at Chelonia twice a week. Mrs Sherwood said Zoey had made a great friend and learned a lot from Lesley.