A MALNOURISHED wombat’s journey to recovery at Perth Zoo has sparked a consultation period to draft more robust wildlife rehabilitation licences.
Young wombat Miniri received expert care at Perth Zoo after wildlife officers found her malnourished and critically ill with hair falling out and nails overgrown in Kalgoorlie in September.
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READ NOWABC News reported the Kalgoorlie woman who kept the wombat as a pet and fed it breakfast cereal was fined $6000 for animal cruelty in March.
Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions seeks input on the licence and fee structure for wildlife rehabilitators following Miniri’s case.
Environment minister Stephen Dawson said the consultation would make sure people providing care to animals were properly trained, properly networked and could talk to the experts.“If you find a distressed, wild animal on the road, please make sure you bring them to the experts,” he said.
“Over the next three months, we’ll be consulting with the community, with wildlife rehabilitators about the new licences we’re planning to bring in WA.
“I encourage all wildlife rehabilitators to participate in the consultation which will have a positive impact on the care provided to our native fauna.”
Feedback on the licence opens today at https://pws.dbca.wa.gov.au/faunalicences.