Redlands After-hours Wildlife Ambulance (RAWA)
Redland City Council purchased the first wildlife ambulance in 1985 and continues to support this service. The Council takes full responsibility for coordination and operation of the Redland After-hours Wildlife Ambulance (RAWA) and training of volunteers.
Trained volunteers maintain the RAWA service (ph 3833 4031) and tend to sick and injured wildlife in the Redlands and adjoining areas of the Koala Coast. Redland City covers a 537 square kilometre area bordering Brisbane, Logan and Gold Coast cities and has one of the most significant populations of urban koalas in Australia. As the city continues to grow, the impact on our native wildlife increases and brings them in contact with suburban perils.
There is estimated to be less than 2,000 koalas in the Redlands. The greatest threat faced by koalas is loss of habitat. When koalas have to get down from trees to look for alternative areas, they face the risk of disease, road injury and dog attacks.
Koalas are only rescued if they have an injury or illness. The Redlands After-hours Wildlife Ambulance does not relocate or catch healthy koalas. Sick and injured koalas are transported to a koala hospital (ph 3299 1032) for treatment while other sick, injured or orphaned wildlife are delivered to local wildlife carers or taken into veterinary care.
Besides rescuing native fauna, the volunteer ambulance drivers play a key role in educating the community about the threats facing our local fauna and methods of reducing the risks to our native wildlife.
There is a core group of 15 RAWA volunteers working on a buddy system which rotates on a weekly basis. Due to the requirement of two team members for every rescue and the immediate nature of wildlife rescue, volunteers for RAWA must reside within the Redlands. Meetings and training programs are held to assist volunteers and improve the wildlife rescue service.
If you are interested in joining RAWA, contact a wildlife extension officer at IndigiScapes on 3824 8611.