Caroline Springs is headed for a record number of wildlife emergencies this year, according to one of Victoria’s biggest wildlife rescue organisations.
Wildlife Victoria emergency response team leader James Johnson says the organisation has been contacted for about 64 animals in need of assistance in Caroline Springs this year so far.
“We are probably on track for 2016 to be our busiest year for wildlife emergencies in the suburb,” Mr Johnson said. Wildlife Victoria received 87 calls about injured wildlife in Caroline Springs last year, 81 in 2014 and 82 in 2013.
Mr Johnson said an outbreak of avian botulism had contributed to the increase.
“We continue to liaise with Melbourne Water on this matter and refer all reports back to them for monitoring.”
In the past two years, the most common species in need of assistance in Caroline Springs was the black swan.
Forty-five of the majestic birds were the subject of reports to Mr Johnon’s emergency response team.
Eastern grey kangaroos were the animals second-most-frequently attended to by Wildlife Victoria’s volunteers in the past two years.
“Sadly, half of these had already been hit by cars and the other half were on the hop in suburbia and at risk of also becoming road victims,” Mr Johnson said.
Last week, a kangaroo became trapped in St George Preca Primary School’s playground.
The female kangaroo was carrying a joey in its pouch and became increasingly agitated when it was unable to escape the Caroline Springs school’s grounds.
The school called Melton council, which sent rangers to remove the kangaroo to an area they’re known to inhabit.
Mr Johnson said the kangaroo was euthanased later that week, while the joey died in the course of his mother’s capture.
“The volunteer carer looking after her made the difficult but humane decision to euthanase her as her condition was worsening,” he said.
“It’s suspected the stress placed on the kangaroo during her ordeal may have contributed to this outcome.”
