WIRES (Wildlife Information Rescue and Education Service) recently purchased a humidicrib designed to give warmth to native animals in their first weeks of life after receiving a cheque from the Bega Garden Club. 

President of the club Bill Campbell met up with WIRES members Lois Katz, Margaret Shaw and Ann Buller to view the humidicrib. 

The club raises money annually through its popular Mother’s Day stall. 

The stall attracts plenty of customers wanting to buy the club’s arrangements designed by members from blooms lovingly grown in their gardens. 

“Each year we pick community organisations to donate money to and along with WIRES we also made a significant donation to the SnowyHydro SouthCare helicopter which does so much for patients in this area,” Mr Campbell said. 

Ms Katz said WIRES was extremely grateful to receive the humidicrib, which cost $900.

“With the young orphans we are given they are mostly unfurred and need to be kept at a constant temperature to survive,” she said. 

“Without a humidicrib a volunteer would have to get up several times a night to replace hot water bottles, which themselves don’t have the effectiveness the humidicrib does.

“Having this piece of equipment really does increase the survival rate of these animals.

“Possums, wombats, kangaroo joeys, they can all go in there.

“At the moment we are seeing a lot of joeys come in after their mothers are hit on the road,” she said. 

This humidicrib takes the number WIRES has to share amongst volunteers to four. 

“They are fully portable, so they can be moved from volunteer to volunteer,” Ms Katz said. 

Mr Campbell said the Bega Garden Club, which currently has 35 members, will continue to use its Mother’s Day stall to benefit community organisations. 

“It’s very rewarding to give a donation to a deserving organisation like WIRES, and we will continue to donate to local groups,” he said. 

To report injured or orphaned wildlife call WIRES on 6495 4150.