September was a tough month at the Northern Rivers Wildlife Hospital. Trauma season has truly begun, and we’ve seen a surge of patients come through our doors. Sadly, not every case has a happy ending, but what keeps us going is that many do.
We’d love to share a few of those stories of survival and resilience with you.
🌸 Dahlia, Our 500th Patient
September brought us a very special milestone: our 500th patient since opening! Dahlia, a sweet little red-necked pademelon, was found alone on the road, having seemingly lost her mum.
After arriving at the hospital, our amazing team gave her a full check-up to make sure she was healthy and safe. Thankfully, she was, and that same afternoon she was released into the care of one of our dedicated carers. There, she’ll continue her recovery in a safe, nurturing environment before eventually heading back to the wild where she belongs.
🦔 The Emaciated Echidna
Last month also saw one of our most fragile patients yet — an echidna so thin and weak that he could barely move.
Sadly, we’ve been seeing quite a number of emaciated echidnas recently. This little juvenile had the most beautiful spines and coat, but was heartbreakingly underweight — the skinniest we’ve ever seen. We’re not certain of the cause, but will continue to document cases like this and work alongside researchers, with the goal of finding answers to help our wildlife.
🦘 Mr Wriggles the Wallaby Joey
“Mr Wriggles” is a sweet little red-necked wallaby joey who came into care after his mum was sadly hit by a car. Thankfully, a quick pouch check saved his life.
When he arrived at the hospital, our vets discovered he had a fractured toe and needed careful treatment. He’s been having regular bandage changes and plenty of TLC from our team. True to his name, he doesn’t sit still for long! Wriggly, cheeky, and showing plenty of spirit as he continues his recovery.
📸 More Patients from September
September has reminded us just how challenging trauma season can be, with more patients than ever needing urgent care. While some cases are heartbreaking, many have happy endings — and those moments of recovery and release are what keep us going.
