Mt Barker Wildlife Hospital Inc

Mt Barker Wildlife Hospital Inc We are proud to be establishing the first dedicated wildlife veterinary hospital outside the metro area.
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We are authorised to accept donations
MT BARKER WILDLIFE HOSPITAL INC
BSB 633 000 Account number 232142604
Containers for Change Number C11668983

Turtle Update – This turtle has been in care with one of our off-site carers since mid-December last year after being hi...
12/06/2026

Turtle Update –

This turtle has been in care with one of our off-site carers since mid-December last year after being hit by a car. While they may look tough, a turtle’s shell is actually a living, growing structure — very similar to our own bones.

Because of this, it can’t simply be glued back together. The shell needs time to naturally fuse, allowing blood vessels and living tissue to reconnect and heal properly. It’s a slow but essential process to ensure the shell regains its full strength.

In this case, there was significant cracking, and healing can take months — sometimes even years. Every stage has to happen naturally, which is why patience is so important in wildlife care.

What supports healing?

Warm, stable conditions
A nutritious, balanced diet
Careful monitoring and minimal stress

Turtles are incredibly slow healers, and caring for them is a long-term commitment. Day in and day out, it involves providing the right environment and allowing nature to take its course.

Once the shell has fully healed and fused, this turtle will be able to return to the wild where it belongs.

Thank you for supporting the work we do to give wildlife a second chance.

Many of you may remember Cosmo, a young joey who came into care approximately two months ago after becoming caught in a ...
06/06/2026

Many of you may remember Cosmo, a young joey who came into care approximately two months ago after becoming caught in a fence. At that time, X‑rays showed no fractures. His wounds were treated, and he was started on antibiotics and anti-inflammatories before being monitored in care for several days.
Cosmo recovered well and was subsequently released back to his environment with his mother.
Last week, Cosmo returned and was observed to have significant swelling in his foot. An initial attempt was made to assess him with veterinary support; however, he was unable to be safely contained on that occasion.
A dose of antibiotics was administered, and a plan was made to safely secure him for further treatment when veterinary assistance was available.
This morning, Cosmo was successfully secured and transported to Mt Barker Wildlife Hospital, where he was assessed by Dr Theresa.
Findings:

No fractures detected
Presence of a large abscess in the affected foot

Treatment provided:

Wound cleaning
Abscess lancing and drainage
Flushing of the affected area
Bandaging and supportive care

Cosmo is now recovering from anaesthesia and has been returned to care.
Ongoing care plan:
Cosmo will remain in a secure enclosure for approximately 12 days while completing a full 14-day course of antibiotics, to give him the best possible chance of a full recovery.

A sincere thank you to Dr Theresa for her ongoing dedication and support in treating injured wildlife.

We will continue to monitor Cosmo closely and provide updates on his progress.

Update on Mia Dr Theresa visited Mia again this week to check on how her arm is coping in the cast. After a careful revi...
05/06/2026

Update on Mia

Dr Theresa visited Mia again this week to check on how her arm is coping in the cast. After a careful review, the cast was removed so the team could assess the break more closely. While everything is progressing well, the fracture is still stabilising, so a half cast was reapplied, along with firm strapping to provide continued support while ensuring comfort.

These cast adjustments are an important part of the healing process. As swelling reduces, casts can loosen, which may affect how well the arm is supported. Regular checks allow us to make sure the cast remains secure, properly aligned, and doing its job.

With the recent heavy rain, it was also especially important to confirm that Mia’s arm and cast remained dry—moisture can weaken the cast and cause skin issues, so this extra care really matters.

We also took a special moment during the visit to check in on Mia’s baby, just to ensure everything was okay following the sedation she needed. And it turned into a very exciting little highlight

It’s a girl!

Dr Theresa has the privilege of naming her, which makes this journey even more meaningful.

Mia continues to show incredible strength, and we’re so proud of how far she’s come.

A glimpse into the future… We’re excited to share an AI concept image of what we hope our new Wildlife Hospital in Mt Ba...
02/06/2026

A glimpse into the future…

We’re excited to share an AI concept image of what we hope our new Wildlife Hospital in Mt Barker will look like. Our grant applications are now in, and we are one step closer to bringing this dream to life.

This is a major $1 million project, one that has already involved countless volunteer hours and in-kind support from our incredible community. The dedication shown so far has been nothing short of inspiring — and it’s only the beginning of what will be needed to make this vision a reality.

This hospital will be a huge asset for Mt Barker and the wider Great Southern region, not only supporting our unique wildlife, but also attracting visitors, education opportunities, and strengthening our town’s connection to conservation. It aligns closely with the Plantagenet Shire’s environmental vision, helping to protect and care for the natural biodiversity that makes our region so special.
Currently, wildlife care is being carried out from a veterinary clinic setting, which, while appreciated, is not ideal. Native wildlife have very different needs to companion animals — including quiet, low-stress environments, species-specific enclosures, rehabilitation spaces, and minimal human interaction to support successful release back into the wild.

Right now, there is no dedicated wildlife hospital in the Great Southern, meaning many critical cases must travel all the way to Perth. This can be stressful, time-consuming, and in some cases the difference between life and loss.

We are so excited to get this project off the ground — but we can’t do it alone.

If you would like to support this important work, even a small contribution can make a difference:
MT BARKER WILDLIFE HOSPITAL INC
BSB: 633 000
Account Number: 232142604
Containers for Change: C11668983

Every donation helps us move closer to providing the specialised care our wildlife deserve.
There has already been so much generosity through volunteer time and skills — and we are so grateful. Now, we’re asking our community to help us take the next step.
Because every life is important to the one living it.

Thank you Shire of Cranbrook and Shire of Plantagenet for publishing our articles on "Living with Wildlife"
01/06/2026

Thank you Shire of Cranbrook and Shire of Plantagenet for publishing our articles on "Living with Wildlife"

29/05/2026

Please check pouches...
Little lives depend on it.

This little one was found in a dead mums pouch. Someone didn't want to see the body get mushed into the road. When she picked it up she noticed the movement.

And another little life is saved.

This little bird was found under attack by a flock of magpies. A member of the public, walking her dogs (on lead), was a...
20/05/2026

This little bird was found under attack by a flock of magpies. A member of the public, walking her dogs (on lead), was able to move close enough to disperse most of the attackers—however two remained relentless.
Thankfully, she is also a volunteer with a local wildlife sanctuary and knew immediate intervention was needed. Despite the parents being in the tree above, she safely rescued the bird and brought her into care.
On assessment, she was found to have a fractured ulna and a significant wound.
Dr Annaliese sutured the injury, and Nurse Tegan stabilised the wing with supportive bandaging. She has been started on pain relief and antibiotics.
She will now be placed with a specialist carer to support her through rehabilitation, with the goal of eventual release back into the wild.
At Mt Barker Wildlife Hospital, our ethos is simple:
every life is important to the one living it — from fur to feathers, scales to spikes.

19/05/2026

We are incredibly grateful to share this beautiful review from AWARE Wildlife Rescue Inc following Rosie’s journey with us 💛
Working alongside dedicated rescue groups like AWARE is an absolute privilege. Their commitment to giving wildlife a second chance is inspiring, and Rosie’s story is a perfect example of what can be achieved when carers and veterinary teams come together with a shared goal.
Thank you for trusting us to be part of her journey — seeing her now on the path to a wild future makes it all worthwhile.

Western Grey Kangaroo Mia presented with a significant forelimb injury, involving fractures to both the radius and ulna....
19/05/2026

Western Grey Kangaroo Mia presented with a significant forelimb injury, involving fractures to both the radius and ulna. These are the two long bones of the lower forearm:

The radius is the primary weight‑bearing bone, essential for strength and stability during movement.
The ulna provides structural support and alignment, contributing to balance and proper limb function.

In wildlife, injuries of this nature are frequently associated with fencing entanglements, where animals become caught and sustain fractures while attempting to free themselves.

Following assessment, the clinical goal was to determine whether the fractures could be manually realigned and stabilised with a cast, rather than proceeding directly to surgical intervention under general anaesthetic. This approach was particularly important as Mia is carrying a joey in pouch, and minimising anaesthetic exposure was a priority.

Mia was sedated, and closed reduction of the fractures was performed. Throughout the procedure, real‑time X‑rays were taken to confirm correct alignment and stability of both bones. Once satisfactory positioning was achieved, the limb was immobilised in a cast and sedation was reversed.

The joey was assessed immediately following the procedure and remained stable throughout.

Post‑procedure, Mia is showing early positive signs, including using the limb for balance, which is encouraging at this stage. She will be closely monitored for swelling, comfort, and cast integrity, with follow‑up assessments planned to guide ongoing management.

This outcome reflects the value of timely intervention, careful case planning, and coordinated veterinary care, and highlights the importance of access to specialist wildlife treatment services.

Address

69 Lowood Road
Mount Barker, WA
6324

Telephone

+61898511177

Website

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