Some of Clarence Valley WIRES History
 

Many years ago nearly all of our injured and orphaned native wildlife died because few people knew how to care for them. National Parks and Wildlife was formed in 1967 but could only do so much on their own. Some members of the public were asked to help but that still wasn't enough. NPWS saw that there was a need for a dedicated group to specifically care for injured native wildlife. In 1985, the Wildlife Information & Rescue Service (WIRES) was founded in Forrestville, Sydney. Several years later, a plea was made for other areas to start their own Wildlife Carers Groups.

A public meeting was held in Grafton in 1989 and Clarence Valley WIRES was formed covering a massive area from Nambucca Heads right up to the Queensland border. Several of the founding members are still with us today. Coffs Harbour and Far North NSW broke away a short time later and formed their own groups.

Our first rescue was a Blue Tongue Lizard on the 24th June 1989 and the carer was Chris Hendy. Call # 5,000 was a Kingfisher from South Grafton on the 11th November 1994. Call # 10,000 was one of six Pacific Black Ducklings, rescued from Yamba on the 14th January, 1997. On the 24th June 2004, the 15th anniversary of our first rescue, we took our 40,000th call.
 

More than 42,500 animals have been rescued by Clarence Valley WIRES over the past 11 years.

We took over 4,000 calls during 2003 - 2004, with 2,800 of these leading to rescues.

Animals rescued ranged from small marsupials to birds. Over 1,500 were birds, including the rare and endangered Black Necked Stork, the oldest Caspian Tern ever recorded in Australia and many more birds we rarely come into contact with.

Over 220 kangaroos and wallabies were rescued, with over 100 joeys taken into long term care (the cost to raise these to release age is quite high).

We rescue native animals affected by any cause or disaster: storms, road injuries, power line accidents.
 
Money is always needed for the rescue of native animals that are taken into care. While the National Parks & Wildlife Service supports Clarence Valley WIRES, we rely heavily on fundraising and public donations, as we receive no direct government funding for our branch.

We accept any donations generous people may be willing to contribute (including bequests), and all donations over $2 are tax deductible (CFN10170).

Please contact WIRES Clarence Valley on our 24 hour rescue phone: 02 6643 4055 to donate or for further information
 

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