Puggle snuggles are just what the doctor ordered
Small, brown, round and with eyes barely open, an echidna puggle is receiving lifesaving care at Healesville Sanctuary after being found on its own in a mulch pile.
The lone wild puggle was discovered in mulch in a Yarra Junction backyard while the homeowner was gardening at the end of November, so the veterinary team from the Sanctuary’s Australia Wildlife Health Centre stepped in to help.
Healesville Sanctuary Senior Veterinary Nurse Sarah Kaiser said feeding the puggle had proved the biggest challenge.
At approximately 16 weeks old the youngster should still be drinking milk excreted from its mother’s mammary glands, instead the Sanctuary team is feeding it a specially formulated milk via a syringe and dripping small amounts into a silicon bowl. The milk is high fat, low lactose, replicating its mother’s milk.
“Feeding was difficult at first, however after a week we had success, and now the puggle regularly eats up to 25 per cent of its body weight in one sitting,” Mrs Kaiser said. “Feeding usually takes place every five days or so to replicate what would occur in the wild.
“The little one is doing really well and putting on the right amount of weight to grow up strong and healthy.”
The puggle weighed less than 500 grams when it arrived and is now tipping the scales at 700 grams. In four to five weeks’ time, once the puggle has all its quills, it will be weaned from milk and transition to solid foods such as ants.
A decision will then be made whether the animal can be release back into the wild.
It is rare to see an echidna puggle at such an early age at the Australian Wildlife Health Centre, however it is common for the vets to see a variety of species.
This spring has been busy with 558 wildlife patients coming through the doors of the hospital.
In November alone, 199 wildlife cases required treatment. Road trauma-related incidents are a common reason.
Healesville Sanctuary’s Australian Wildlife Health Centre treats more than 2,000 wildlife patients each year.
Sanctuary visitors can view the amazing work of the dedicated vets via the internal glass walls of the hospital.
For more information about what to do if you find an injured animal visit zoo.org.au/emergency-wildlife-help or call the Australian Wildlife Health Centre on (03) 5957 2829.
Short-beaked echidnas can be found across most of Australia. Echidnas are an egg-laying mammal known as a monotreme.
Echidna puggles are usually born between September and November and, at about four to five months old quills appear on their back.
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.