March 2024

Secretary Notes

Please Note: The next General Meeting on Saturday 6^th April will be held at the Strathdale Community Centre due to works being done to the Golden Square Community Hall. The centre is at 155 Crook Street, Strathdale, room 3 entrance is at the back of the building, look for the WRIN sign. We are not in the main hall; there is a separate event in the main hall.

We have also a change in presenters. We will have Brydie Maro presenting in April. Brydie is a wildlife shelter operator in North Queensland and is giving us a look into her shelter operations and the animals she gets in. Let’s give Brydie a big welcome to Bendigo and hopefully she gets a good look into Bendigo’s native wildlife. Rosie Galea’s Bush-Stone Curlew talk will be at our next meeting in June.

We have also a change in presenters. We will have Brydie Maro presenting in April. Brydie is a wildlife shelter operator in North Queensland and is giving us a look into her shelter operations and the animals she gets in. Let’s give Brydie a big welcome to Bendigo and hopefully she gets a good look into Bendigo’s native wildlife. Rosie Galea’s Bush-Stone Curlew talk will be at our next meeting in June.

Sadly we announce the death of one of our shelter operators, Louise Grant. Louise was diagnosed with cancer in February and passed away about 2 weeks later. Louise cared for all wildlife but mainly kangaroo joeys and has amazingly had up to 15 joeys in care at one time. She never said no to taking a joey in. She will be dearly missed and our thoughts go out to her family and friends.

WRIN held a stall at the recent Bendigo Sustainability Festival and our volunteers had a wonderful day meeting people and connecting with other stall holders. WRIN raised $175.50 on the day. Thank you for helping out Jenny, Michelle and myself.

We have the following items in store if any carers are in need. Bottles, bunny rugs, towels, syringes, Formula 1, Wombaroo 0.6, Wombaroo >0.7 and insectivore mix.

For rescuers we have rescue baskets, towels, pillow cases and kangaroo bags for transferring.

You can contact me if you require any of these items or if you have a suggestion on any other items we should have in store.

Brenda Argus

General Meeting

February 2024

Kangaroos at the Retreat Rd facility have been seen in sections that have supposedly been blocked off. Unsure how they are getting into these sections. Michelle has reported this to Julie Sloan (councillor) to investigate. Water has been supplied to the stages they are allowed in.

C. V. Bat Alliance has asked if they could auspices through WRIN so they can apply for grants to get their organization up and running and they can then pay to become an alliance with a Land Care Group. Committee has approved this.

Lynne thanked those who volunteered with the selling of raffle tickets for the Rotary Club and mentioned how wonderful the Christmas lunch was and thanked those who attended.

Jenny suggested giving a donation to the McIntyre Wildlife shelter. All approved, $2,000 was suggested and agreed upon. Brenda also suggested donating a 20kg bag of milk powder once a year. All approved and every November was agreed on.

2 BBQ’s at Bunning Kangaroo Flat has been arranged, 1^st April and 2^nd June. Caz asked if we could do more, so 2 more BBQ’s to be arranged at Bunnings Epsom.

Wildlife

Capture Myopathy

There are a lot of myths and misinformation about this condition. The first myth to destroy is that this is a condition seen only in marsupials. It affects all species, all ages and both sexes are susceptible.

It happens when the muscle is exerted (used) its metabolism changes from aerobic (uses oxygen) to anaerobic (uses stored energy in the muscles). This leads to the build-up of lactic acid causing acidosis. Lactic acid in the bloodstream drops to pH in the body, affecting heart output. If the heart does not pump oxygen to the muscle it starts to die. When the muscle dies over the next 7 days, it releases a product called myoglobin (breakdown product of muscle). Myoglobin damages the excretion part of the kidney (the renal tubule). Other organs are affected: the lungs become congested and bleed. The liver becomes swollen and pale.

With clinical signs we need to appreciate that we are seeing a disease in a spectrum of severity, over a number of days. It may occur in any muscle group in front and back legs or heart. It has been classified into four appearances that can help to understand what carers can see:

1. Hyperacute – very sudden onset with death often noted.
2. Acute – from heart muscle necrosis and occurs over 2 – 4 days.
3. Subacute – kidney failure from the release of myoglobin.
4. Chronic – die over 2 – 4 weeks due to heart failure and paralysis.

The range of clinical signs begin in the early stages as hyperthermia (body temperature is above normal – animals is hot – sweats, pants), trouble breathing, fast heart rate. The animals may become weak or have stiff gait. Muscle tremors – either involving a few muscles or an entire muscle group may be seen. The animal may collapse and die.

There are several situations that can cause capture myopathy. These include trapping, capture, transport and even simple restraint. In other words – humans cause this condition! However, it is also used successfully as a hunting tool by large carnivores such as dogs.

The bad news is that if you have an animal with clinical signs, its prognosis is poor. In other words – it is not going to get better. Treatment is not effective and continuing to let the animal suffer becomes a welfare issue.

The muscle has died. It cannot re-grow. This has an implication with the welfare of the animal then being treated, only to suffer horrible cramping, pain from failing kidneys, inability to breathe from congested lungs and then to die up to 1 month later. It also has an implication for release – if the muscles are destroyed – then how is it ever going to be 100% fit for release? Field treatment in the hands of many experienced veterinarians has not been successful. Please remember, that humans are sometimes not saved in similar situations (ecstasy overdose, malignant hyperthermia in susceptible people). However, in situations where it is recognized at the hyperthermia stage, it is believed to be possible to treat it. Treatment is quite intensive and expensive.

Prevention is the key to this condition as you cannot undo the damage; you want to prevent it from occurring in the first instance. The animal’s life is in your hands. The goal is planning: plan the capture, plan to use sedation, plan what to do if something goes wrong.

1. The method of capture needs to be well-planned, with sufficient people-power to quickly trap the animal. And that is the key – we do not chase macropods, we encourage them into a trap. Time spent observing the animal and the escape route it wants to follow, and then coordinating your movements is invaluable.

• Minimize the pursuit time – ideal is less than 3 minutes! After this, muscle enzymes are beginning to climb and the damage begins.
• Reduce struggling by covering eyes and placing the captured animal into a bag.
• Keep the human noise down. No dogs should be present
• Reduce the amount of handling time and then release to a less stressful place as soon as possible.

2. Sedation. Consider the use of Valium, azaperone or fluphenazine.
3. Do not leave a sedated animal in direct sunlight. Ensure that you keep the animal’s temperature down: good ventilation, damp cloths if required.

Anne Fowler

Coming Up

Monday 1st April 2024 – 9.00am Sausage Sizzle at Bunnings Kangaroo Flat

Following held at: Community Centre, Room 3, 155 Crook Street, Strathdale, Saturday April 6th

– 12.00pm Committee Meeting

12.30pm General Meeting

1.40pm Queensland Wildlife Shelter Presentation by Brydie Maro

Tea & coffee supplied. Please bring a plate to share.

Other Activities

• Saturday 20^th April 2024 – 9.30am Family Sustainability Day, Bendigo Library
• Monday 27th May 2024 – 7.30pm Committee Meeting, 1 Ruth Street, Golden Square
• Saturday 1st June 2024 – 12.30pm General Meeting, Golden Square Community Hall, Old High Street, Golden Square
  • 1.40pm Bush-Stone Curlews Presentation by Rosie Galea
• Sunday 2^nd June 2024 – 9.00am Sausage Sizzle at Bunnings Kangaroo Flat