Thousands of flying foxes across Victoria have been affected by the extreme heat this summer.
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Thousands of flying foxes across Victoria have been affected by the extreme weather conditions in recent months, including many in Tocumwal needing urgent care and rehabilitation.
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Dutch Thunder Wildlife shelter owner Kylee Donkers said several Tocumwal flying foxes were receiving treatment at the Koonoomoo shelter thanks to the support of the Bluebird Cobram kindergarten and early learning service.
“The children and staff are sponsoring the many grey-headed and little red flying foxes in care and we greatly appreciate this,” she said.
Mrs Donkers said they didn’t normally have this many flying foxes in care at once, so the sponsorship had gone to buying more milk formula, fresh fruit, the building of safe enclosures and other things.
“Currently we have one little red and 16 grey-headed flying foxes in care, with others coming in daily,” she said.
“This kind of support will make a significant difference to these animals as they recover and eventually return to the wild.”
A rescued flying fox from Tocumwal enjoying a delicious mango treat.
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The Dutch Thunder Wildlife shelter has recently started a new animal sponsorship program, giving the public an opportunity to sponsor a different animal each month.
“We’ve had Regal our wedge-tailed eagle and then Vin our little kangaroo joey, so the kinder contacted me and said they’d like to do the next sponsorship,” Mrs Donkers said.
Dutch Thunder has been working with the Bluebird Cobram kindergarten and early learning service for the past five years, running a wildlife session each week.
Bluebird Cobram kindergarten and early learning service centre manager Rebecca Clemson said the children have developed an “extraordinary” understanding of the local environment and wildlife through Mrs Donkers’ teaching.
“They learn to respect the wildlife and to conserve the environment, and we do excursions down to Thompsons Beach and other places in the community to link all of that together,” she said.
Ms Clemson said they reached out to the wildlife shelter as part of their ‘Kindy of Kindness’ program.
17 flying foxes are receiving treatment at the Dutch Thunder Wildlife shelter in Koonoomoo.
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“It's a program where we model and teach the children about good values, kindness, respect, diversity and inclusion,” she said.
“Through that, we look at ways that we can donate or maintain connections within our local community.
“It’s a really beautiful and valuable program.
“I would just like to recognise the awesome work that Kylee and the Dutch Thunder Team do, not only in the rescue and rehabilitation of animals but in educating the younger people who will be the future little wildlife warriors.”
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