We’ve teamed up with Wildlife Nurse SA, Semaphore Park Community Garden and local volunteers to plant our City’s first Wildlife Fodder Plantation to help nurture sick and injured native animals.
The plantation, located at Trust Reserve on the northern aspect of the Semaphore Park Community Garden, features approximately 200 native trees including Eucalyptus species and other native vegetation such as Melaleuca, Banksia, Acacia and Grevilleas.
Once well-established, this site will provide an essential food supply for sick, injured and orphaned wildlife including kangaroos, koalas, possums, gliders and birds.
Kerry Machado of Wildlife Nurse SA is a qualified Wildlife Veterinary Nurse who donates her time and expertise to care for fauna in need. She said the plantation would prove invaluable for animals and the community alike.
“It's not only going to contribute to the long-term ecosystem of the Semaphore Park community, but it's going to provide an ongoing source of browse for in-care wildlife for myself and other wildlife carers in the area,” she shared.
“I’ve previously had to trek all across the countryside to pick gums from this tree and that tree to get different species for different animals in care, and now we’re going to have it all in a plantation in one area which is absolutely amazing.
“I can’t express how much easier it’s going to make things to help these animals.”
Council helped plan and prepare the site, including installing an irrigation system, while a dedicated group of volunteers all pitched in with planting the vegetation on a chilly July morning.
“It’s all happened very quickly and the City of Charles Sturt have been very supportive. They’ve been very keen to redevelop this area for the community and it’ll bring local birds and possums and wildlife into the area as well,” Kerry said.
“It’s so important for many reasons. It’s a chance for the community to get involved to plant the plants today, gives them a bit of pride about the area that they live in - but it’s also really important for our wildlife.
“They are the voiceless ones in this experience and it’s going to provide ongoing nutrition for those who are the most vulnerable.”
Six-month old orphaned koala joey Lucy joined Kerry and the team for the morning as an adorable reminder of the driving force behind the plantation.
“She’s very cute, she’s almost 600 grams and she’s thriving now,” Kerry said, having cared for Lucy for just over a month after rescuing her in Coromandel Valley.
“She’s very small and there’s still a long way to go, but this is for patients like Lucy who potentially wouldn’t have a chance if we didn’t have access to good quality leaves and Eucalyptus like we will have here.”
You can follow Wildlife Nurse SA on Facebook to find out more, donate or get involved.
