October has brought a welcome reprieve at the Northern Rivers Wildlife Hospital. While we’re still busy and very much in the depths of trauma season, the slight slowdown has been a relief for our team and for our local wildlife.
It has also given us a chance to reflect on some of the patients we’ve seen this month.
🪶 A Tiny Glider with a Big Story
The smallest of visitors this month was a feathertail glider that found its way into a local home. Thankfully he was uninjured, and after a quick check-up at the hospital he was able to go straight into care with our friends at Northern Rivers Wildlife Carers. Feathertail gliders are the smallest gliding mammal in the world, weighing less than a 50c coin yet capable of gliding up to 25 metres. A remarkable little creature!
🦘 Boots the Curious Pademelon
Boots, a young red-necked pademelon, was found alone on the road with no sign of his mother and was brought to us by a caring passer-by. After X-rays and a thorough check-up, he was given the all-clear and went into care with NRWC. Pademelons are naturally curious, which sadly makes them more vulnerable to accidents on our roads. Thanks to quick action, this little one was given a second chance.
🐍 The resilience of an Eastern Brown Snake
One of our toughest patients this month has to be this Eastern Brown Snake that had become tangled in garden netting for up to two days. By the time he was rescued and brought to us, he had a sore neck, damaged scales and maggots beginning to affect the wounds. Our veterinary team began treatment straight away, providing fluid therapy, pain relief and antibiotics. Thanks to this timely intervention, this beautiful snake is now well on the road to recovery.
🌿 Reflections from October
Even the smallest pause in a busy season can make a difference. For our patients, it means a chance to heal and return to the wild. For our team, it’s a moment to catch our breath and keep giving the best care we can. Thank you for being part of this journey with us and supporting our precious wildlife neighbours in the Northern Rivers.
💚 The NRWH Team
