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

Dennis the Wedge‑tailed Eagle – Why This Was So Special Most of us know the story of Dennis — the wedge‑tailed eagle res...
19/06/2026

Dennis the Wedge‑tailed Eagle – Why This Was So Special

Most of us know the story of Dennis — the wedge‑tailed eagle rescued after becoming entangled in a fence. What followed was nothing short of extraordinary. From the farmer who first intervened, to the carers, vets, and volunteers who helped him recover — it was a true community effort. And when Dennis was finally released back into the wild, it wasn’t just a good news story… it was something genuinely remarkable.

Why did his release matter so much?

Wedge‑tailed eagles are Australia’s largest birds of prey, powerful, intelligent, and deeply loyal to their territory. They play a quiet but vital role in keeping ecosystems balanced — helping manage populations of rabbits, rodents, and other small animals, and even acting as nature’s clean‑up crew by feeding on carrion. A healthy eagle population is a sign of a healthy landscape.

But what made Dennis’s story even more special is what was waiting for him at home.

Wedge‑tailed eagles are known to form long‑term, often lifelong, pair bonds. A mated pair will share a territory and return to the same nest year after year, raising young together. They invest a huge amount of time and energy into parenting — building massive stick nests (some used and expanded over many seasons), taking turns incubating eggs, and hunting to feed hungry chicks.

So when Dennis was injured, it wasn’t just one bird at risk. Somewhere out there, his mate — and his young — were relying on him. His absence could mean failed breeding, hunger, or worse.

That’s why his return was so powerful.

Dennis didn’t just survive — he returned to his place in the wild, to the role he plays in the ecosystem, and back to his partner and family. The odds of a wild eagle being rescued, rehabilitated, and successfully released are never guaranteed. Seeing him soar again was more than a happy ending — it was a restoration.

A reminder of what can happen when people care enough to step in… and when nature is given the chance to heal.

These photos are not Dennis, but a beautiful wedge‑tailed eagle captured by one of Dennis’s followers — a reminder of just how magnificent these birds truly are.

Thank you to everyone who have donated and used our Containers for Change code recently! The Mt Barker Wildlife Hospital...
17/06/2026

Thank you to everyone who have donated and used our Containers for Change code recently! The Mt Barker Wildlife Hospital truly appreciates each and every one of you. Every little bit helps in the fight to support our native wildlife!!

17/06/2026

What an incredible outcome and a truly heartwarming moment for everyone involved—the successful release of Dennis the Eagle. This is a powerful reminder of what can be achieved when people come together with a shared purpose and genuine care for wildlife.
From rescue to rehabilitation and finally release, Dennis’s journey reflects the dedication, skill, and compassion of so many individuals and organisations working side by side. It shows that when we collaborate, support one another, and stay committed, we can make a real difference—not just for one animal, but for the future of wildlife care as a whole.

16/06/2026

Treating wildlife is not always easy. Unlike domestic animals, you cannot simply pick them up and bring them in for treatment. Every situation requires planning, patience, and the right approach to ensure both animal welfare and human safety.

In Cosmo’s case, he required a dressing change after becoming caught in a fence, which led to a large abscess developing. Situations like this can be quite serious and need careful management to prevent further complications.

Thankfully, we had access to a jab stick. This is a specialised veterinary tool that allows medication, such as sedation, to be administered from a safe distance. It helps reduce stress on the animal and lowers the risk of injury during handling.

Dr Theresa was able to administer sedation using the jab stick, which helped, but Cosmo still did not fully cooperate. Even with sedation, wildlife can remain alert, so he still needed to be carefully caught. The sedation did, however, slow him down enough for the team to safely manage the situation.

Once secured, his wounds were thoroughly treated and re-dressed, and he was left in a quiet space to sleep it off and recover.

This will need to be repeated again over the weekend to ensure his healing continues on the right track. In the meantime, his carer has access to the jab stick and will be able to administer his antibiotics as needed, helping to keep his treatment consistent with minimal stress.

Cases like Cosmo’s highlight both the challenges and the importance of having the right tools, training, and teamwork when caring for our wildlife.

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.

Address

69 Lowood Road
Mount Barker, WA
6324

Telephone

+61898511177

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