Media Releases

WIRES seeks more volunteers to help native animals like Kenny

Friday, April 29, 2016

Kenny being hand fed (PHOTO CREDIT: Zane Fraser) In late December last year a baby echidna was taken into care by WIRES Volunteer Ellen Kemp. The echidna puggle was nicknamed Kenny and weighed just 400 grams when he was found on the ground in Temora NSW according to Kemp. “He was covered in ants and wouldn’t have survived on his own,” Kemp said. “For the first few weeks I fed him specially formulated echidna milk from my cupped hand and housed him in a small tub of dirt complete with an artificial burrow." Initially Kenny just ate and slept but by the beginning of February this year he became a little more adventurous and began investigating anything new that Kemp put into his enclosure. “Kenny has tripled his size, now weighing in at 1200 grams and he’s become quite playful,” said Kemp. "He’s quickly learning how to forage like a wild echidna and when I place logs in his enclosure he strips them and rips them up with his powerful claws - he's also rolling up into a self-protective ball if he sees any sudden movements.” Kenny will be released into the wild in the near future - another WIRES success story thanks to Kemp’s dedicated care. WIRES Riverina branch is calling out for more volunteers like Ellen and is holding an accredited Rescue and Immediate Care Course (RICC) in Wagga Wagga on 21 May. Anyone interested in wildlife rescue and conservation or wanting more information on the course are encouraged to contact WIRES via email [email protected]. “I find it really rewarding being a WIRES Volunteer, said Kemp. "I love our native animals and this is a perfect way for me to give back and help their survival in the wild for future generations to enjoy.” For more information on the accredited WIRES Rescue and Immediate Care Course on 21 May at Wagga Wagga please email [email protected]. WIRES is celebrating its 30 year anniversary this year with the organisation growing from one branch in 1986 to 27 branches across NSW and 2500 dedicated volunteers today. To mark this milestone, throughout 2016 WIRES will be presenting Special Recognition Awards to individuals and companies that have gone that extra mile to help support and protect NSW’s native animals. For an interview with WIRES Volunteer Ellen Kemp please call Carla Toyne on 02 89773327 / 0416 272 153 or email [email protected]

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ABOUT WIRES

WIRES is Australia’s largest wildlife rescue organisation. WIRES has been rescuing and caring for sick, injured and orphaned native animals for over 35 years with a mission to actively rehabilitate and preserve Australian wildlife and inspire others to do the same. WIRES’ Wildlife Rescue Office answers calls from the community 24/7, 365 days a year, providing rescue advice and assistance for over 130,000 animals annually. Connecting wildlife to real-time assistance, WIRES full-time mobile Wildlife Ambulances operate across New South Wales, South-East Queensland and Tasmania, and WIRES had over 3,500 volunteers assisting with wildlife rescue and care in NSW. WIRES is supporting thousands of wildlife carers across Australia through a diverse range of national programs. WIRES also collaborates nationally with strategic partners to support the long-term recovery of wildlife habitat and the long-term preservation of native species in the wild.

For more information on WIRES wildlife programs visit www.wires.org.au.

MEDIA CONTACTS

WIRES Media Officer: John Grant | 0416 272 153 | [email protected]

Contact [email protected] for enquiries or call 0416 272 153.

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