By Danielle Kutchel
A Nar Nar Goon-based wildlife shelter is in need of a helping hand itself.
Back to Nature, which rescues, rehabilitates and releases injured and orphaned wildlife, is looking to build a new retaining wall in their yard to keep rescued joeys safe during their rehabilitation.
Quotes have ranged from $14,000 to $30,000 for the wall, which shelter owner Berny Paprota says “won’t be made of gold”.
Other sides of their yard, which are currently protected by temporary fencing, also need poles put in.
The work is getting urgent now, with rescue roos constantly coming in.
She’s calling for assistance for labour and supplies to construct the much-needed barrier.
At the moment, Back to Nature has around 12 kangaroos in its care.
They assist other organisations, like Wildlife Victoria, by taking on joeys to raise them and release them back into the wild.
Back to Nature also helped treat some kangaroos for wounds sustained in this year’s bushfires.
The shelter receives around $1000 from the local council each year; the rest of its activities are funded by the owners with their own money.
Ms Paprota says she hopes to have the retaining wall up within the next few months.
“We need to do it before the next round of kangaroos comes through,” she says.
Sarah Cooke from Wildlife Incident Safe Haven, which works closely with Back to Nature, called on her supporters to lend a hand.
“Back to Nature are such wonderful people that need some help to continue doing the amazing work they do, so if I can get some materials for them to help build their dreams pens then I’m happy to do it,” she says.
Anyone interested in helping Back to Nature with supplies or labour can call the rescue on 0408 295 016.
