Our Projects
Caring for and living with our local species
Possum Finishing School
Established in 2019
Approximately 200 western ringtail possums, Pseudocheirus occidentalis, come into the care of wildlife rehabilitators in the southern Swan Coastal Plain (Bunbury to Dunsborough) each year. The majority of these animals are pouched young that have either been abandoned or orphaned. Individual wildlife rehabilitators and rehabilitation groups spend thousands of hours caring for these animals to raise and/or rehabilitate them to the point where they can be released back into the wild. The fate of these animals after their release is generally unknown, therefore there is a need to learn the fate of these animals and how the process of rehabilitation and release can be best managed to improve outcomes. Also ensuring the time and money spent on rehabilitation is providing value to the conservation of the species.
To gain some answers to these questions the South West Catchments Council (SWCC), Fostering and Assistance for Wildlife Needing Aid (FAWNA), The University of Western Australia (UWA) and The Department of Biodiversity Conservation and Attractions (DBCA) are collaborating on a research project aimed at determining the fate of western ringtail possums, raised by rehabilitators, after their release back into the wild.
To ensure that the care given to these animals and the conditions under which they are held is uniform, a housing facility has been established near Capel. At this site western ringtail possums will be held under standardised conditions for a period of at least one month prior to release so that the factors that are hypothesised to affect survival post release can be controlled.
The possums in this facility require daily feed and water changes. A team of Possum Keepers service the enclosures and keep them in tip top condition.
The project began in 2019 and held 20 pre-release possums, but can now cater for 40 possums in the facility that can be used all year round. To date 80 young possums have graduated to the wild from the facility.
Follow the Possum Finishing School journey
Project Partners
This project is supported by South West Catchments Council, through funding from the Australian Government’s National Landcare Program.
FAWNA Flight Academy
Currently under construction, FAWNA Flight Academy will help FAWNA Volunteers rehabilitate and Release the 100s of wild land and sea birds that come in to our care each year.
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Project Partners
WA’s First Regional
Wildlife Hospital
For over 190 years of European settlement in Western Australia our wildlife has endured rapid land clearing and fragmentation, introduction of feral predators, relentless urbanisation and massive road networks to navigate.
Despite being one of two international Biodiversity Hotspots and containing a RAMSAR wetland of significance there has never been a comprehensive dedicated wildlife hospital in a regional West Australian area. With unprecedented extinction rates in Australia, it is essential that our research community has a suitable facility to gather data, to consolidate and share with others. Vital information is being lost. Regional domestic and Livestock vets are extremely helpful but are rarely trained in wildlife and have neither the correct instruments of medications on hand for wildlife. Wildlife is exposed to the noises and smells of dogs, cats and humans and are susceptible to death from the stress alone. Pet ownership increased dramatically during COVID lock down and the influx of work has stretch domestic vets to their limit. Wildlife assessment and treatment is not funded by the government and this sheer number of wildlife requiring urgent and ongoing treatment is causing financial concerns and a reduction in time available to give quality care to Wildlife.
FAWNA Inc is planning to build WA’s first Regional Wildlife Hospital and Biodiversity Park near Capel so that it is central to major towns. Domestic vets will continue to play a role in triaging wildlife but it will be expected that a wildlife ambulance will collect wildlife and transport to the dedicated facility.
How can you help build the wildlife hospital?
Containers for change
Containers for Change provides an exciting opportunity to raise much-needed funds, as well as showing a commitment to the environment and encouraging better recycling behaviours in the community.
When returning your containers simply quote reference number #C10286828 to have the refund donated to FAWNA.
Kaatijinup Biodiversity Park
“Kaatijinup” a place of coming together to share knowledge and stories
Named by Noongar Elder – Wayne Webb 2020
“Kaatijinup” a place of coming together to share knowledge and stories
Named by Noongar Elder – Wayne Webb 2020
Biodiversity hotspots worldwide are being significantly impacted by numerous threatening processes including land clearing, resource development, urbanisation, changes to ecological processes such as fire regimes and hydrological cycles, and climate change. These factors erode the natural resilience of landscapes and have profound impacts on the integrity of ecosystems and persistence of species.
Biodiversity hotspots worldwide are being significantly impacted by numerous threatening processes including land clearing, resource development, urbanisation, changes to ecological processes such as fire regimes and hydrological cycles, and climate change. These factors erode the natural resilience of landscapes and have profound impacts on the integrity of ecosystems and persistence of species.
Western Australia has eight of Australia’s 15 national biodiversity hotspots and the south west of the State harbours one of the two Australian international biodiversity hotspots.
FAWNA Inc is creating a 300 ha Open Plan Biodiversity Park, surrounded by a predator proof fence, to restore the habitat and provide an environment to protect and reintroduce historical endemic species of plants and animals. The park will be developed as an Eco-Tourism destination – creating a peaceful and accessible escape for Australians who desire a reconnection with nature and culture.
The Park is planned to be in the Capel Shire and the funds raised from commerce will be utilised in the ongoing management of the Regional Wildlife Hospital and Conservation activities.
Follow the Kaatijinup journey
Project Partners
