Alexandrina Wildlife Support Group Inc (AWSG)

13/06/2026

We have had a few people wonder what all these fruit and vegetables are for on a Friday morning at the shop.
This is just some of the fresh food from Adelaide Fresh.
Our animals only get the best.
This food feeds our Kangaroos & Possums as well as our Parrots and Lizards.

05/06/2026

Please Don't Feed Magpies.

We know many people feed their local magpies with the best of intentions, but unfortunately those actions can sometimes cause serious and irreversible harm.

This magpie was recently brought into care after being found on the ground unable to fend for himself. He was underweight, showing signs of Metabolic Bone Disease (MBD), had lost function in his feet, and was suffering from a severe infection in his beak that had begun to destroy tissue and affect his ability to eat. Sadly, due to the extent of his condition, the kindest option was to give him peace.

Birds that rely on human-provided food can develop nutritional deficiencies, leading to weakened bones and beaks, poor feather quality, neurological issues, and a compromised immune system that leaves them vulnerable to infection.

If you'd like to help your local magpies, the best thing you can do is support their natural food sources:
• Provide fresh, clean water
• Create a wildlife-friendly garden
• Encourage insects with leaf litter, mulch, and compost
• Plant native species
• Avoid pesticides

By helping magpies forage naturally, you're giving them the best chance at a healthy life.

01/06/2026

Our wonderful Brushtail Possum, Patch!

After having a hard start to life he's now thriving in care with us and hasn't looked back since.

30/04/2026

Are you on the hunt for a bargain or maybe something unique?....
Why not drop into the AWSG Charity Barn Op Shop?

Open FRIDAY & SATURDAY 9:30-3:30
📍Located 12 Corio Terrace Goolwa

We have been hard at work changing the shop around so come and have a look!

🐢 MONEY RAISED GOES TO SUPPORTING WILDLIFE CARE AND REHABILITATION 🐢

We have a big range of different things from craft, books, DVDs, kids toys, bric-a-brac, kitchenware, pet bits and so much more.
Our extensive range has something for everyone.
Better yet, all proceeds from sales in the shop help support out local wildlife.
Our Op-Shop is run entirely by dedicated volunteers who work very hard to make the shop the best it can be.
We hope to see you there.

29/04/2026

585 trees are set to be destroyed from Possum Park in the Adelaide Parklands for a $50M golf course expansion.

This is critical habitat for possums, boobook owls and the other 150+ species living there including brushtail possums that rely on hollow trees that take 100+ years to form.

There’s no clear plan for wildlife,
Please sign on behalf of all the wildide that all that area home.

https://www.change.org/p/protect-possum-park-pete?

Nearly 600 trees in our Parklands are set to be destroyed in coming days just for an extension for a golf course for the elites costing $50 million taxpayers money. Possum Park in the Adelaide Parklands is home to an incredible abundance of wildlife and one of the most important habitats in the Adelaide Parklands. Possums, Boobook owls🦉, tawny frogmouth, koalas, nesting and fledgling birds and over 150 species live in this green belt. The chainsaws are coming and I’m afraid the poor nocturnal creatures and baby birds in nests will not stand a chance to survive this.

There are also Kaurna ancestral remains at this site and the government has conceded that bones could be disturbed during excavation. This is deeply disrespectful and an act of cultural and environmental degradation.

The International golf course designer that saw the plans Peter Malinauskas made for this said there'd be thousands of trees destroyed to build the course..not just 585.

People need to understand where this leads as it won’t stop here..Areas next in line for the chop will be for the proposed motorcycle gp on the basis of safety..Then what???

Possum Park, identified by University of Adelaide researcher Tara McKenzie as the largest area of viable possum habitat in the Adelaide Parklands, is far more than just green space, it’s a thriving ecosystem that supports an extraordinary amount of native wildlife. The park’s 585 trees are not just trees; they are essential habitat, and they simply cannot be replaced or removed without serious consequences.

Brushtail possums are classified as a Rare species in South Australia. Due to habitat fragmentation, introduced predators, disease, and ongoing habitat loss, their populations now survive only in small, isolated pockets of native vegetation and urban environments.

That’s why urban refuges like the Adelaide Parklands are so critical. They provide reliable food sources and, importantly, hollow-bearing trees, something that cannot be recreated overnight. In fact, tree hollows take over 100 years to form, making each mature tree an irreplaceable asset!!!

Artificial alternatives like nest boxes cannot replicate the complexity of natural hollows, which offer superior protection from predators and help animals regulate their body temperature during extreme weather.

In New South Wales, the loss of hollow-bearing trees is officially recognised as a Key Threatening Process under the Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995. Yet in South Australia, the removal of hundreds of trees in Possum Park fails to reflect the same level of environmental concern despite the park being a critical wildlife stronghold.

Because this park supports such rich biodiversity, the 585 trees within it are vital and should not be cut down. Their loss would not only harm native wildlife but also diminish the ecosystem services these trees provide to the broader community.

At present, there are no clear plans outlining how wildlife will be protected if these trees are removed leaving the animals that depend on this habitat at serious risk.

Sign the petition here to save our trees: https://c.org/tzRvrkS5BJ

📸 when tree removals occur, document them safely from behind barriers. Share widely and

Please report displaced wildlife to the hotline: Save Our Wildlife: (SOWFI) ph: 7120 6610

Sign the petition here to save our trees: https://c.org/tzRvrkS5BJ

26/03/2026

This is something we unfortunately have come across, birds of prey that have succumbed to the effects of 2nd hand poisoning.
Please show your support.

Native birds, wildlife and pets are dying from second-generation rat poisons (SGARs). Tell the Australian Government to ban retail sales and protect our wildlife from these silent killers. Add your voice today.

12/03/2026

Elliot, a juvenile Ring-Tail Possum came into care after being found at Port Elliot on the side of the road.
Unsure what was wrong we took him in, kept him warm and comfortable until we could see the vets. We weren't very hopeful given he was unable to use his back legs, these aren't usually good outcomes but we kept our fingers crossed.
When at the vets he underwent full assessment with x-rays. This unfortunately, confirmed our fears of an irreparable spinal fracture and spinal damage. The kindest thing was to let him go peacefully.
We are still unsure of how Elliot got such a serious injury as on arrival he didn't present with any wounds.
You are free now, Elliot ❤️

11/02/2026

Please take care on the wet roads, they will be extremely slippery.
And please keep an eye out for turtles on the move.
Remember if you find a long-neck on the road, move it off to the side it is heading. If injured please either take it to the Vets or ring AWSG 0419 551 653 or 0407 726 351 for assistance. Please ensure your safety first.

Don't forget to record any sighting of turtles dead or alive and any nesting activity to TurtleSAT www.turtlesat.org.au

Found a short-neck on the road? It's most likely an escaped or unwanted pet that has been dumped and will not fair too well out in the wild. Please ring us and it will be given a caring home.

Thank you for helping us support our local wildlife

TurtleSAT is a Citizen Science mapping tool produced by the 1 Million Turtles Community Conservation program. TurtleSAT allows communities to map the location of freshwater turtles in waterways and wetlands across the country. Australia's unique freshwater turtles are in crisis - their numbers are d...

07/02/2026

We don’t often ask for help, but after the Tooperang Fires and now the Deep Creek Fire , our ability to assist impacted wildlife was limited, as we are operating close to maximum capacity. This experience has highlighted the need for improved and additional infrastructure to allow us to respond more effectively to future emergency events across our region.

To be able to care for more injured and displaced wildlife, we require additional large outdoor aviaries for rehabilitation and pre release care.

Recently we were able to purchase one 3m x 2.3m aviary suitable for the care of most birds and possums at a cost of $3,500 leaving just enough funds to cover basic expenses such as food and medical supplies. At least two more aviaries are required along with necessary pruning equipment used for gathering fresh browse for possums & birds as well as upgrading filtration equipment for turtles in care.

Although we operate a small op shop it is only open two days a week and primarily covers essential requirements such as food and medical supplies. The cost of additional aviaries exceeds our present financial resources, so we are seeking your support.

Our organisation is entirely volunteer-run. This year, we aim to strengthen our ability to support local wildlife during times of need, however this is not possible without additional assistance.

If you’re able to contribute, your support will directly strengthen our capacity to care for local wildlife in 2026 and beyond.
We understand, not everyone is in a position to contribute financially. Sharing this message and raising awareness or our work is also a valuable way to support us.

Donations can be made in person at our op shop during opening hours Fridays and Saturdays 9.30am to 3.30pm
Alternatively, donations may be made via bank transfer.
Bank Details are Alexandrina Wildlife Support Group
BBS: 105-160
Account No.021 025 840

We will provide updates on our progress and show how your support is making a difference.
Thank you for your continued support and for helping protect South Australia’s native wildlife.
Alexandrina Wildlife Support Group is a registered charity through the Consumer and Business Services SA. Collections for Charitable Purposes Licence Number CCP1464

26/01/2026

A handy reference to keep in mind. 🐢