Mid North Coast Wildlife Rescue group, FAWNA, announced today its Food4Wildlife program is set up in the Port Macquarie-Hastings LGA with collection points stocked with macropod pellets and wild bird seed in Brombin, Comboyne, Kendall, Kew, Pappinbarra, Port Macquarie, and Wauchope.
Pick up points in Lake Cathie, Bonny Hills, North Haven and Laurieton will follow in the next few days and by week’s end, we hope Kempsey and MidCoast will also be up and running.
The map below shows the location of the pick-up points in the Port Macquarie Hastings region.
Please note: In the Camden Haven area we won’t have supplies ready until Wednesday 27th, stocks are available from Kew in the meantime.
President, Meredith Ryan, said “this program is made possible by the generosity of members of the public who want to help the wildlife impacted by the region’s terrible drought and fires. We think this is the first time anything like this has been attempted on such a large scale. FAWNA covers an 18,000 sq km area of operation. Donations have been coming in steadily since we announced the program just 12 days ago on 11 November. It is heart-warming to know how the public, even those overseas, are embracing our concept to help suffering wildlife in their localities”.
“It has been quite a logistics exercise and we hope in the next few days to announce opening of Food4Wildlife collection points in MidCoast and Kempsey local government areas at many locations. Local businesses have embraced the concept and we thank in particular Hastings Co-op for offering six and more of their outlets as collection points”.
Meredith Ryan – President FAWNA NSW Inc
FAWNA asks the community to bring their own reused plastic bags and take small quantities to start of the 2 foods on offer.
We need to introduce this food slowly and make sure it is being taken by wildlife before putting out more.
Instructions are at the collection points and more food is on order and FAWNA is hunkering down for the long haul, hoping we can keep this program running until the rains come and habitat and wildlife food resources start to recover.
Everyone is reminded that Water4Wildlife is a way we all can help by placing out safe shallow containers of water for our thirsty birds, animals and reptiles also suffering from these exceptional circumstances of drought and fires. Sticks and rocks to prevent drowning are important.
Mrs Ryan adds a vote of thanks to all the FAWNA volunteers who have stepped up and dealt with everything facing them over this past extra busy time in difficult circumstances.
Wildlife rescue groups throughout the state are offering help too, and donations of goods from members of the public and organisations have helped the effort and ensured we now have everything we need.
To report any wildlife needing help in Port Macquarie-Hastings, Kempsey and MidCoast LGA’s contact the FAWNA 24 hour rescue hotline 6581 4141