Southern Ash Wildlife Shelter Inc

Southern Ash Wildlife Shelter Inc is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the rescue, care, rehabilitation, and release of native Australian wildlife, with a specialized focus on koalas. Located in Rawson, Victoria, Australia, the shelter is entirely volunteer-operated and funded through donations and fundraising efforts.

History and Purpose

The shelter was established to provide critical care to injured, sick, and orphaned wildlife, primarily koalas, in Victoria. It is licensed by the Department of Sustainability and Environment and is recognized as the largest and busiest koala rehabilitation center in the state. Annually, the shelter admits over 120 koalas and also cares for other native species such as greater and yellow-bellied gliders.

Operations and Care

Southern Ash Wildlife Shelter operates 24/7, performing hundreds of wildlife rescues each year. The organization is staffed solely by dedicated volunteers and wildlife carers who devote countless hours to the animals' wellbeing. Their expertise extends to specialized burns treatment, an important aspect given the frequent bushfires impacting koala habitats.

Conservation Efforts and Goals

One of the shelter's primary goals is acquiring land adjacent to the facility to plant koala feed trees and expand their care area. The ultimate aspiration is to construct a dedicated building on this land to support koala care and research, particularly focusing on a specialized burns treatment unit. All funding for these initiatives is raised through community donations and sponsorship programs, with monetary contributions over $2 being tax deductible in Australia.

Community and Educational Impact

Beyond direct animal care, Southern Ash Wildlife Shelter plays a significant role in training and mentoring wildlife carers, zookeepers, and veterinarians across Victoria, sharing expertise in koala rehabilitation to enhance broader conservation efforts.

Southern Ash Wildlife Shelter Inc is an essential institution contributing to the preservation of Australia's native wildlife, especially the iconic koala, through dedicated care, rehabilitation, and community engagement.

Note: The organization’s Australian Business Number (ABN) is 72522716773RR0001.

[1] https://samthekoala.com.au [2] https://www.fauna.org.au/southern-ash-wildlife-shelter.html [3] https://www.acnc.gov.au/charity/charities/fc98c95b-3aaf-e811-a95e-000d3ad24c60 [4] https://www.acnc.gov.au/charity/charities/fc98c95b-3aaf-e811-a95e-000d3ad24c60/documents/52efed89-5ef6-ee11-a1fe-6045bde6c1bc [5] https://www.aph.gov.au/DocumentStore.ashx?id=a28a7ed6-03d1-4252-a63b-32de0b1b4924