15/06/2026
Mournful Monday😪
📍TRIGGER WARNING GRAPHIC IMAGES
On Saturday we were called to a rescue phoned in by a member of public to another rescuer that was unavailable to attend. Thankfully from 1st call to our attendance was only 40 mins (we were 30 mins from location).
This beautiful Wedgetail Eagle had been noted by a property owner to be in a tree branch for 2 days. On the Saturday morning, the property owner noticed the eagle on the ground being harassed by magpies. As you can see in photos, the animal was placed in a towel and basket and taken inside by the fire for warmth until help arrived. The injury to the wing is indeterminate- was it shot? Was it damage by another animal? Was it an injury from barbed wire? Without proper assessment we had no real way of knowing.
With no nearby vets opened, we decided the nearest option for immediate care was another experienced facility only 10 mins away - this stunning gift of the skies - known as 'Bunjil' by our First Nations People, was fading fast. Sadly, within 10 mins of arriving, Bunjil passed away from whatever ailment or injuries that had been sustained.
The images of examination are taken after this magnificent animal had passed, and we will have a few weeks wait before results come back to determine what had happened. Initial examination showed no obvious breaks, and no obvious bullet or pellet wounds. Is there a possibility of shrapnel somewhere that had lead to 'lead poisoning'? We can't rule that out until xray results come back.
The images of the blackish/greenish liquid are concerning. This discharge began within moments of the animal passing away and smelt absolutely vile! Perhaps this beautiful animal was poisoned? It wouldn't be the first time Wedgetail Eagles have been poisoned here in Victoria (a man was charged a few years ago in Gippsland of poisoning 24 Wedgetail Eagles!!!!). It could be that this Eagle ingested a poisoned food source (secondary poisoning). We simply don't know until results come back.
What we DO KNOW is this...
❗️It is IMPERATIVE that when wildlife exhibits uncharacteristic behaviour (remaining in one area for a prolonged period of time for example) that WILDLIFE ASSISTANCE be sought IMMEDIATELY.
❗️EXTREME CARE MUST be adhered to if poisons (rat poison for example) are used. We DO NOT RECOMMEND the use of poison , however we know that it is used widely in many capacities. PLEASE PLEASE ONLY EVER USE 1ST GENERATION POISONS If they have to be used at all. We ALWAYS recommend alternative pest control measures and are happy to discuss further should you need advice. Please don't hesitate to message for further information.
So why have we posted this rescue??
Simply to exhibit not all wildlife care is cuddles, bottles and happy moments. There are MORE of these kind of moments in a rescue & carers week than there are of the 'happy/feel good' ones. The general public has no true idea of the trauma and death that we deal with EVERY SINGLE DAY. This is the reality of Australian Wildlife Care. Our magnificent animals succumb to illness, injury and trauma beyond belief that is CAUSED 90% of the time, by HUMANS!!! Disturbing fact isn't it??
Our animals are hit by vehicles and left to suffer; they are hunted, shot, 'culled', maimed and poisoned; they are pushed from THEIR homes to make way for ours and the infrastructure we insist we deserve; animal species humans introduced (foxes, cats dogs), spread disease and prey on our native wildlife. The poisoning of our skies, soil and waterways by 'industry', has resulted in new (and often impossible to treat), conditions and ailments that cause further suffering, and ultimate death to our native wildlife. The numbers of ALL SPECIES DECLINE RAPIDLY EVERY SINGLE YEAR.
And it's the wildlife rescuers and carers, along with a HANDFUL of dedicated organisations and medical teams, who are on the front line 24/7, 365 days a year - EVERY YEAR, fighting to save what many humans and almost ALL GOVERNMENTS are actively eradicating.
That is why we have chosen to post this rescue. To raise awareness, to muster support and education of the general public. We can't do it alone- it takes a village as they say.
What can you do? Help keep rescuers on the road; pay attention, ask questions, investigate how you can help in your local area. Support an INDEPENDENT Wildlife cause (NOT RSPCA!!); group or legitimate independent carer.
Carry a rescue kit and learn how to use it, sign up to do a rescue/care course; be an advocate for change in your area.. there are many ways you can help that don't involve parting with hard earned dollars.
I'm tagging a number of the above mentioned in this post. Look at their work, support their pages and their work however you can. Just PLEASE, PLEASE HELP US ALL TO HELP THE WILDLIFE of Australia 🙏
