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Newsletter>
NEW What's on in the Pouch! NEW
May 19, 2007
Welcome to the first issue of What’s on in the Pouch!
Friends of Nina’s Ark Inc. was established in January 2007
to support the development of Nina’s Ark, a native wildlife
sanctuary situated on 320 acres, just outside of Batchelor,
NT.
Nina’s Ark is run by Nina Keener, who has devoted the past
eleven years to the rescue, rehabilitation and release of
native wildlife here in the Territory.
Although there are many varieties of wildlife rescued and
rehabilitated on Nina’s Ark currently, the main emphasis is
on agile wallabies, antilopines and possums. As the Ark
develops, additional infrastructure will be built to house
other species.
The Ark is one of the principal release sites for the
release of macropods from Darwin and the surrounding
environs.
Last year Nina’s Ark received an $8000 EnvironmentNT grant
and has since built a large chainmesh macropod enclosure.
As part of the terms of the grant, data is being collected
on the observation of released macropods, their behavior
and survival statistics. This statistical data then
becomes the property of the Department to disseminate.
In August last year, Nina was awarded the Pride of
Australia Medal for the Environment in the Northern
Territory. This award reflects the many years of hard
work, love and dedication Nina has put into caring for our
Territory native wildlife and it is richly deserved.
Roos rock!
Thanks to the grant from the Northern Territory government
and our hard working volunteers, the large macropod
enclosure is finally a reality. So far, four antilopine
wallaroos and six agile wallabies have been rehabilitated
and released from this enclosure.
At present, the enclosure has eleven agile wallabies, one
antilopine wallaroo and one common wallaroo in various
stages of rehabilitation. This macropod enclosure covers
6500 m2 of natural bushland with ample shade and native
food. Nina's Ark is the first in Australia to actually live
on site and be able to monitor and collect data on released
rehabilitated wildlife.
Before this, the animals were released into the wild in
remote and uninhabited places across the Top End. It is
believed that many of these animals did not survive. But
here at the Ark many measures are put into place to
increase survivalrates. For instance we continually do
feral dog patrols on the property. Change in animal
behaviour has been noticed when dogs are around or have
been in the area. If a predator is sighted or heard we take
action to disrupt their hunting patterns. This practice is
done day and night as we must be vigilant.
To date our efforts have been rewarded with a high success
rate in the survival of newly released macropods. A large
colony of macropods is fed near our rehabilitation
enclosure twice a day. This allows us to observe behaviour
patterns and how our released animals are integrating with
the existing mob. It also adds as a training tool for the
animals inside the enclosure. Caged macropods soon learn to
imitate and react like the animals of the colony in the
wild to predators. Having this established group provides
an excellent opportunity to collect data on their
behavourial patterns and survival rates. As well there is a
protective factor for the newly released macropods and that
is safety in numbers.
Possum posse
Last year saw the completion of three intermediate possum
cages and one large possum enclosure. Intermediate cages
can accommodate one possum and the large cage can
accommodate six possums in the last stage of
rehabilitation. So far, we have rehabilitated and released
fifteen adult possums into the wild. Our final
rehabilitation stage takes many months.
Inside the possum enclosure large trees are provided. This
helps the possums learn to grip and climb as well as build
up muscle tone. In the beginning animals are fed on a
variety of domestic fruit and vegetables. The introduction
of bush tucker is done regularly. Therefore, before
released, possums learn to survive solely on native food
and are accustomed to all bush tucker in the area.
A release is done around 5.30 in the afternoon. The
habitat which the possum have been living in is removed and
placed into a tree.
We feel that it is best to place our habitats high into a
tree that has enough bush tucker that will last many days
for the animal. In this way it is not necessary in the
early stage for the possum to go to ground and forage for
food. Although, these animals have been observed on the
ground during the first night.
Nocturnal walks have confirmed that some of these possums
are still in the area in a 300 metre radius.
Here at the Ark we have many fruit trees and other plants
that are loved by possums, like rose wood and paw paw
trees. However, it has been our experience that if enough
native food is available these valued trees are left
untouched.
If you have a problem with wild life in your home, you can
try these simple suggestions. As non-native plant species
are readily accepted and eaten by wild life, you should
plant a wide range of native plants which will provide a
stable diet for native animals. Smaller shrubs and ground
cover will provide food for birds, lizards and mammals who
feed on insects. Establishing a natural habitat in your
garden (as seen in this newsletter) could see these animals
move out of your dwelling.
Yards consisting only of trees and lawn offer absolutely
nothing to our native animals which are still trying to
survive in townships and cities.
How can you help
More and more natural ecosystems are being lost to housing
estates and farm land.
Once the variety of trees are reduced in our local area
local biodiversity is decreased and the animals who rely on
these natural habitats for food and shelter are forced to
look elsewhere for resources to survive.
Everyone can help protect wildlife. Try to see the
uniqueness of the animal, not just the nuisance value.
Teach your children how special our wildlife is. Involve
them in the garden and their surroundings.
Remember domestic pets and wildlife do not mix. Native
animals have an inbred instinct to run as it just might
save their life. It is the only survival technique they
possess.
What a domestic pet sees as a game is seen as a life or
death situation for a native animal. So at night don't
just forget your pets. Think of all those nocturnal animals
that do come to ground to forage for food to survive.
While you are having a comfortable night sleep it just
could be their last.
Remember a responsible pet owner is always knows where
their pet is.
We must all learn to live together.
Gismo's story
Welcome all to the first feature story by Nina of one of
our Ark animals.
Meet Gismo. She came to us late in 2004. A small little
female antilopine with no fur only the first covering of
bum fluff. I would estimate her age at around four months.
Her mother had been hit by a car in Litchfield National
Park. My partner, Malcolm Sweeney, works in Litchfield so
it was he who happened upon the dead female in the middle
of the road and rescued Gizzy. Gismo was hard to raise as
we had to use a makeshift heating device to keep her warm
and she had to be fed every three hours.
I never name the little ones when we first rescue them as
the first two weeks are the most critical. If they are
going to die it will be at this time.
From the very beginning Gizzy sucked her pouch.
Sometimes rescued animals suck various parts of their body.
It’s a substitute for their mothers nipple which they have
access to at all stages of their development.
All the volunteers just loved Gizzy. She cried a lot, as
young joeys miss their mothers sounds. The sounds such as
the stomach growling, mom on the move and the familiar
calling that goes on between mom and joey.
But she came to know us and accepted us as her new mother.
Gizzy grew so rapidly, it seemed like we were changing her
pouch (hanging bag with front, lower than back so joey can
stick head out) every other week to a bigger size. She did
not sleep much and I am convinced that she was scared she
would miss something. As she grew she would tear through
the house at high speeds.
It was some months later that she was put in the first
rehabilitation cage in the yard. These first few days were
very scary to her. But she soon grew to love the freedom
of getting out when ever she liked. From there she
graduated to the house yard. Now this was the most space
she had ever had and she made full use of it.
Over the following months Gizzys development continued.
This species of kangaroo stays immature for a long time.
Their body development is fast compared to their mind.
Today, Gismo is free to roam the land through the daylight
hours. You can see her racing at top speeds around the
country side. We still, however, put her back in the house
yard at night for her own safety. We can only hope she has
learned everything she needs to know from the other free
antilopines when its her turn to spend the night in
freedom. We love you our little Gizzy!
Pookie’s Joey...Little No Name
Four years ago, I raised a little agile wallaby whom I
called Pookie, the most lovable, gentle, creature whose
personality to this day remains the same.
Unfortunately, she suffers from neurotic, compulsive,
behaviour. Whenever she has a pouched young, she has a
cleaning compulsion. In other words, she loves them to
death. Over a period of months with the continuous
cleaning and fleeing technique that wallabies do, the poor
little joey develops severe injuries. Because of this, I
have had to remove the joey from her pouch and continue to
raise it.
In the past she has limited her severe cleaning to the
little one’s tail. Whereby the tail is slowly eaten away
until the joey dies due to the severity of it’s injuries.
I have observed one of her death young at the age of five
months with an inch long tail.
Unfortunately, I was not quick enough to rescue some of the
joeys and they of bled to death. I have been successful in
removing three young.
In the past, I have witnessed the dead joey on the ground
and the mother trying to pick it up to insert it back in
the pouch. She did this six times before I was able to
remove the animal for burial. She mourned for this joey
for five days. Each time we went outside of the house
yard over this period she would be waiting. She would stand
on her hind legs and paw at my clothes while making a
clicking sound as if begging me to find her joey. All of
this was very traumatic on the mother and us.
Less than eight days ago we were able to remove another one
of her young. Its tail was severely mutilated. One toe
had been eaten off and half of both ears. The joey's
condition was very poor, to say the least. But I'm happy
to report that the little one is recovering in our care
just fine. It’s injuries are slowly healing and I hope one
day I might be able to release her into the wild.
However, I have arranged for an implant to be placed in the
mother’s pouch which will stop her from reproducing for the
next 12 months.
After this time, my veterinarian, Dr Stephen Cutter, will
be doing surgery on Pookie to prevent any further
disasters.
I have spoken to many carers and other wildlife parks and
they have informed me they have not seen this before.
Sometime it is necessary for human intervention in order to
save the joeys from further harm.
The Possum Duo
Jo Jo and Blossom came to me late last year from a
wonderful woman, who although she really loved them,
realized she could not provide a large enough habitat for
them to spend the rest of their lives in.
She had heard about us and contacted me asking if I would
be willing to take them and give them a good home
Both of these possums are handicapped and are not
releasable. One has slight brain damage and the other has
had one hand amputated. When we picked them up I'm sorry
to say, we ourselves, had only a small cage for the two
young charges. But our intentions were to construct a large
possum habitat which simulates living in the wild.
Nina's Ark has international volunteers throughout the dry
season. These wonderful people show great interest,
respect and love for our native animals.
Throughout their time here they are busily working towards
helping us build infrastructure to accommodate the many
animals that come into care. One week ago I'm pleased to
say they finished Blossoms and Jo Jo's wonderful new home,
complete with a massive ironwood tree buried in the middle
plus natural logs for the possums to sleep in. Hay covers
the floor.
On their first evening in their new home it was very
amusing to watch them walking on the hay and running around
and around the base of the tree. They could not believe
all the space.
They are two little lovely creatures that show their
affection and appreciation each evening when we put their
food in their cage.
Two truly bright stars at Nina's Ark.
Nina’s Ark Kangaroo Refuge Information Sheet
Did you know that many joeys in the pouches of female
kangaroos that are victims of road accidents are amazingly
unharmed. So if you are unlucky enough to have this
happen to you, below is a guide to help you to save the
small joey!
In most cases, the impact of the vehicle kills the mother
rather quickly. But, do not leave seriously injured
mothers to suffer needlessly! Please kill in a humane way
if the mother is beyond help (be careful and pay particular
attention to their teeth and claws!). Place a t-shirt or
towel over the injured animal ‘s face before putting them
down so they are unaware of what you are trying to do.
This can prevent further injury to them and you.
Gently remove the joey from the pouch and wrap it in a
towel or cloth, anything to keep it warm.
Try not to handle the infant too often as pouched young are
easily stressed. This can be determined by the eyes having
a glassy stare.
Small pink joeys should not be pulled from the nipple.
Instead cut the nipple off with the joey still attached.
Insert a safety pin in the nipple (and attach to a t-shirt
or cloth covering the joey) or tie the nipple in a knot so
the joey doesn't swallow it. This will give you a few
hours before the joey will release from the nipple.
Take the joey to a ranger station if possible or Wildlife
Rescue.
Wildlife Rescue
As quickly as possible try to contact either Wildlife
Rescue, Nina’s Ark or any of the following organizations
you are near to, so that the injured animal can receive
immediate treatment and care.
Wildlife Rescue—0409 090 840
Nina’s Ark—8976 0839
Batchelor Ranger Station—8976 0282
Walker Creek Ranger Station—8978 2302
If you live in the greater Darwin area you can also contact
Wildcare Inc. on 8988 6121.
Hard Facts
I know it is easier to believe that our native animals will
be with us forever. Not so!
I'm willing to bet that some of you or all of you are not
aware of some hard facts concerning our most common native
animal; the kangaroo.
There were 53 species of kangaroo in this country. Since
European settlement, 7 are extinct, 6 are endangered and 5
are on the threatened species list.
We did this! Australia has the highest extinction rate in
the world. The Northern Territory has the highest of all
the states. Why should this be when we also have the most
unique animals in the world? We must start somewhere,
sometime. Why not today?
An Open day for members of Nina's Ark will be advised in
the near future.Until then, thank you for your interest,
support and love of our Australian wildlife!
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