Dedicated volunteer carers helping to save precious wildlife could soon be on the endangered list themselves unless dramatic changes are made to a system some fear will no longer work in the coming years.
Renowned flying fox researcher, Matcham-based Kerryn Parry-Jones who heads up Wildlife ARC, said her group was one of several wildlife organisations that relied completely on volunteers who were becoming increasingly scarce.
“The average age of volunteers is 70, and there are not many young people coming through,” Parry-Jones said.
“What will happen in 10 years? The established carers are getting older, young people can’t do the hours because they need to make a living.
“There needs to be a professional career path to follow.”
While the organisation might attract students for a short time, they soon leave to find paid work while existing carers are expected to pay their own bills.
“Of course, younger people need to find paid work, they have mortgages to pay. The demographics and economics have changed since the 80s when people worked for free,” Parry-Jones said.
“Our work is considered to be emergency work; we rescue orphaned and injured wildlife. We are like government workers but not supported by the government.
“It’s not just Wildlife ARC that will have problems, it’s all rehab centres where volunteers work more hours and spend more money than any other volunteer groups.
“Something has to change otherwise we just won’t have anyone in the organisation.
“It’s nobody’s fault, it’s just the demographics.”
While Parry-Jones is concerned about the future, she says the Central Coast still has a strong band of dedicated volunteers caring for the hundreds of baby flying-foxes that usually come in over the Summer period.
“We get large numbers over Summer, so you really need a network of dedicated carers with a particular skillset,” she said.
‘We are very lucky on the Central Coast.”
Flying fox populations are extremely mobile and this year populations in Sydney and the Hunter have been particularly impacted by heat stress and food shortages leaving hundreds of orphaned babies which the Central Coast volunteers have been caring for.
Severe food shortages in October and November in Sydney and some really hot days in the Hunter resulted in heat stroke due to the hot, dry conditions.
Central Coast volunteers are currently caring for about 100 orphans who will eventually be released back into the wild.
Parry-Jones warned people not to touch a flying fox, but to contact Wildlife ARC.
“A very small percentage can carry a rare disease so it’s best not to touch them in case you get bitten or scratched.
“We have fantastic rescuers, we are all vaccinated, and we guarantee to respond within 30 minutes.”
If you come across an orphaned or injured animal, call 4325 0666.
Denice Barnes