By Mish Simpson | Operations Manager
South Australia's wildlife rehabilitation sector, a vital service for both wildlife and the community, is on the verge of collapse due to lack of government support and dwindling resources. Southern Koala and Echidna Rescue (SKER) is experiencing particularly acute challenges due to a surge in demand and systemic issues within the sector. The recent closure of other facilities has left SKER as the only fully operational wildlife veterinary clinic in the state, leading to a dramatic 320% increase in demand for our services since 2022/23.
SKER's dedicated volunteers are nearing burnout, with the two founders alone contributing over 3,000 volunteer hours annually. This strain is exacerbated by a general shortage of volunteers, particularly qualified individuals, across the charitable sector. Furthermore, SKER currently lacks the paid staff capacity to effectively support and manage additional volunteers. Critically, declining public donations due to the cost of living crisis are impacting fundraising efforts, and unlike other states, the South Australian government provides no funding for wildlife clinics. This combination of factors creates an urgent need for funding to ensure SKER can continue its vital work.
To those who have donated, thank you for keeping us going.
To everyone, please share our vital cause so that our wildlife out left to suffer.
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