Echidna waddles back to wild home
A wild echidna that was found critically injured in the Yarra Valley is back waddling through its forest home after receiving lifesaving care at Healesville Sanctuary’s Australian Wildlife Health Centre.
The spikey ant eater was found by a member of the public nearby Toolangi State Forest, north-east of Melbourne, and transported to the Sanctuary where it received treatment for a broken beak and toe – injuries sustained from a suspected road trauma incident.
Healesville Sanctuary Associate Veterinarian Katherine Adriaanse said an echidna’s anatomy and diet is very unusual, so they require expert care to return to full health.
“Echidna beaks are incredibly sensitive, which means we can’t apply bandages to support the fracture,” Dr Adriaanse said. “However, we were able to provide pain relief and easy access to food to support the healing process and allow for a gentle recovery.
“This echidna also had a broken toe with a little piece of bone exposed, so this required specialised bandaging to keep it clean.
“It’s wonderful to be able to return him back to his wild home after four weeks of rehabilitation and recovery.”
The Sanctuary’s veterinary team usually sees an influx of patients during spring as wildlife moves around for breeding and more people take to the roads to enjoy the change of season. Dr Adriaanse said there are some simple actions people can take to protect wildlife during this period.
“Where possible, limit your travel in vehicles at dusk and dawn when animals are most active. If you see wildlife along the roadside, slow down and take extra care.”
Last spring, the Sanctuary’s Australian Wildlife Health Centre (AWHC) treated 777 wildlife patients, with many of those cases road trauma related. The top five species treated include, Common ringtail possums, Eastern grey kangaroos, Australian magpies, Laughing kookaburras and Eastern blue-tongue skinks.
During the entire last financial year, more than 2,100 animals were treated at the AWHC - 43 of those were echidnas.
For more information about what to do if you find injured animals on the roadside, you can call the Australian Wildlife Health Centre on (03) 5957 2829, or visit zoo.org.au/emergency-wildlife-help.
Zoos Victoria and Healesville Sanctuary visitors are reminded that all tickets must be pre-booked online at zoo.org.au. Zoos Victoria Members no longer need to book but are required to scan their Membership card to gain entry.