Friday, September 28, 2007

Big Thumbs Up to Powercor for Koala rescue



Ever seen a couple of burly blokes get mushy over a cuddly koala? Well last night 2 unsung heroes from Powercor came to the rescue of a badly injured Koala.

In what unfolded to be a dramatic 3 hour rescue, the team at BADGAR wildlife rescue were called to assist an injured koala, hit by a car just off Brewery Tap Road in Ballarat. The Koala had serious injuries to its legs and was bleeding badly. The animal was reported to the 1300 BADGAR number by a worried driver who hit the animal just after 4 pm last night. Shortly after the BADGAR team arrived on site, to be rendered almost useless because the koala in fear, had scaled a 30m high dead pine tree, where is sat bleeding.

No rescue equipment could help the animal as it was too high in the tree and weather conditions were too harsh for climbers. After a desperate ring around, it was Powercor who came to the rescue with an enormous truck that had a bucket crane attached. Tiffany Ampt, a BADGAR rescuer was given the hair-raising job of riding in the bucket with the Powercor team, as it extended 25m into the air to reach the koala. After about 6 minutes of careful positioning, Tiffany managed to reach the koala just in time, using her training skills to grab the koala in a position where neither her nor the animal would get hurt.

Powercor did not charge a single cent for the hour long service and the team had just finished a day’s work when they got the call. Without them the rescue would not have been possible and the koala’s fate would not have been as positive.

The animal was taken straight to a local vet who performed minor surgery on the leg and treated other injuries. It was then taken to Beremboke Wildlife Shelter near Brisbane Ranges where it will undergo vital rehabilitation before being released back to the wild in the same area it came from.

“Without them [Powercor], this operation would not have been possible. It’s a big ask for a company to dispatch a large piece of machinery at no cost, so we’re really grateful” explains Walt Collins, Badgar co-founder.

“It was extremely scary being 25m in the air facing an angry koala, but you forget the fact you’re dangling on a crane and just get on with the job, it was a brilliant rescue’ adds Tiffany.

Thanks again to the man who reported it and a big thanks to Powercor for once again doing their bit for the community, the whole team at BADGAR are very grateful.


1 comment:

Anonymous said...

BADGAR needs all Victorians to donate much needed cash to help our wildlife during this season's bushfires. Throughout summer, dry harsh conditions are causing fires to rage across the state. Our specially trained rescue teams are there, often 24 hours a day doing our bit to help badly burned koalas, roos, wallabies, gliders, reptiles and birds. WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT.

We need to raise money to help rescue and rehabilitate these animals. Our rescuers need GPS devices, they need rescue gear, transportation people. Things as simple as pillow cases, nets, large cages, through to medical supplies and safety equipment are all needed.

If you are in a fire zone and have seen injured wildlife, call 1300 223 427 now.

Thanks to special permission from the Dept. Sustainability & Environment, plus the support from our community, our BADGAR fire crews can safely proceed to perform carefully planned fireground wildlife rescue operations. Please donate, help us to help our wildlife. Amounts as little as $2 are tax deductible. CALL Co-founder Walt Collins on 0410 33 44 94 to donate, or visit our DONATIONS page for details on how to donate.

What ever your part of the state is, you can donate to BADGAR and we will distribute it to that area.

DO YOUR BIT THIS YEAR AND SUPPORT WILDLIFE... because some little Aussies are always overlooked.