Aussie Wildlife Recovery & Emergency Preparedness

A few months ago WIRES rescued Orla - a vulnerable Yellow-bellied glider whose sad story is featuring in our all-important tax appeal this year. 

When Orla was rescued three months ago, she was hungry, weak and emaciated. There were maggots starting to hatch on her fur and the tips of her ears were infected through exposure. 

At six months old she was far too young to be away from her family group. She was taken into WIRES care, and after several weeks of antibiotics and supplementary formula, began to revive. 

Yellow-bellied gliders are listed as vulnerable to extinction. They are particularly susceptible to habitat loss because they rely on the hollows of gum trees that can take over 60 years to develop. It’s likely Orla lost her family and couldn’t find a hollow in which to shelter. 

Like koalas, they also have very complex gut flora. Orla’s had been seriously compromised through starvation and her carers had to urgently source healthy gut bacteria from the faeces of another yellow-bellied glider in WIRES care before she could be weaned. 

After 12 weeks of specialist care, and in a large enclosure where she could learn to climb and ‘glide’ from wall to wall Orla was ready to be released.  

She and her carers embarked on a long trek into mountainous terrain. They were joined by local arborists who offered their services free of charge, and a nearby property-owner, who drove Orla's large pre-release enclosure high into the mountains on his all-terrain buggy.  

Over three nights the team camped out whilst Orla took in the smells and sounds of her new home. Her carer Toni had been canvasing the site for weeks. She knew there were other yellow-bellied gliders in the area - and if Orla's family were there, they would find each other soon.  

The team installed a specialist nest box 30 metres high in the tree and left supplementary nectar for her every night for a further ten days as an extra safeguard. Happily, surrounded by large flowering gums and healthy tree hollows, she hasn't seemed to need it.

Thank you again for making sure these lifesaving efforts are taking place with the help of your donations. Together, we're making a difference!