Growing up on the outskirts of Sydney, my childhood was spent in a bush suburb—a pocket of nature perched on a plateau. My sister and I always seemed to attract wildlife, as if we had an invisible beacon calling to animals in need. Homeless, injured, or struggling creatures somehow found their way to us for comfort and recuperation.
When I moved to Glen Innes with my own family, I found myself having similar encounters, which inspired me to join WIRES (Wildlife Information and Rescue Service). Sadly, I had noticed many animals struck by cars and left on the roadside, a frequent tragedy in rural areas. I soon learned that checking the pouches of deceased wallabies and kangaroos was critical, as joeys can sometimes survive for up to three days after their mother’s death.
Since joining WIRES, I’ve assisted in transporting orphaned joeys and possums and caring for many native birds. One of my more memorable rescues involved a possum trapped inside a local business owner’s wall. Thankfully, our fantastic local fire brigade stepped in, helping me extract the possum safely—only to discover she had a tiny joey clinging to her back. The homeowner, though faced with a section of their wall being removed, was happy to make the sacrifice for the sake of the animals, especially as they were planning renovations anyway. The escape-prone brushtail managed to slip out of our containment once, but with teamwork and determination, we recaptured her safely.
An Unexpected Guest: A Pelican’s Journey
One of my most surprising encounters happened during a night of gale-force winds at our Mount Mitchell farm. My husband had just returned from walking our dog when he came inside with an unexpected announcement: “There’s a pelican on our driveway.”
At first, I thought he was joking. After all, we had left the Central Coast—where pelicans are a common sight—three years earlier. Had one followed us inland?
Sure enough, a juvenile pelican had landed on our long driveway, an improbable feat in the wild winds. The exhausted bird wobbled about, struggling against the elements. We grabbed a large pet crate, gloves, a net, and a torch before heading down to where he stood. Carefully, we draped a towel over him, gently bundling him up. He gave a few protest squawks but, evidently worn out, soon settled into the warmth of our home.
The next challenge was feeding him. A fully grown pelican consumes around 1.8 kg of fish per day—no small task! We rushed to the shops and stocked up on large fish fillets. By the end of the week, we’d practically cleared out all fresh fish in town, much to Percival’s delight (yes, we named him!). He spent his days paddling in our dam, attempting to catch non-existent fish and the occasional yabby, growing stronger with each passing day.
Finding a Place to Belong
As winter approached, I reached out to our local bird rehabilitator, hoping to learn more about pelican colonies nearby. Information was sparse, but I discovered that nomadic pelicans occasionally visited Llangothlin Reserve near Guyra and Barley Field Lagoon at Glencoe, as well as Copeton Dam near Inverell. However, with temperatures dropping rapidly, migration back to warmer coastal regions was the usual pattern.
Seeking expert guidance, I contacted the Australian Seabird and Turtle Rescue at Ballina. They confirmed that Percival should be relocated closer to the coast, where he could integrate with other pelicans.
So, after a week of enjoying his rural “hotel” and receiving top-tier fish meals, we bundled Percival into the car and set off for Ballina. The drive was an adventure in itself—curious onlookers stared as we made pit stops with a pelican in the back. Upon arrival, the Seabird Rescue team guided us to a pelican gathering site. We released Percival among his kind, offering him a farewell feast.
Initially, the larger adult pelicans picked on him, leaving him hesitant to venture far from shore. As dusk fell, he finally made his way to the pelican sandbar, settling in for the night.
The next morning, we returned anxiously to check on him. To our delight, Percival swam over to greet us! This time, however, we resisted the urge to offer food—it was time for him to start hunting on his own.
Keeping Up with Percival
On our second visit, we met a local resident, Tony, affectionately known as “The Magpie” for his habit of keeping an eye on all the wildlife. Living in a retirement village overlooking the pelicans, Tony offered to provide updates on Percival’s progress. To this day, he sends me monthly messages, letting me know how our adventurous pelican is settling in.
Percival has since formed friendships within the local flock, but his greatest threat—like many pelicans—is fishing hooks and discarded lines. The Seabird Rescue team tirelessly educates anglers about the dangers of cutting a hooked line. If a pelican gets caught and the line is cut, the chances of rescuing them diminish dramatically, often leading to fatal infections or starvation. Keeping the line attached and calling the local wildlife rescue organisation, allows rescuers to safely capture and treat the injured bird.
The Reward and Challenges of Wildlife Rescue
Since Percival, I’ve had the privilege of rescuing and caring for many birds and joeys. While wildlife rescue can sometimes be heartbreaking, it is also profoundly rewarding. Our local vets are incredible partners, and without their dedication, many rescues would not be possible.
WIRES and Northern Tablelands Wildlife Carers are always seeking volunteers. If providing direct care isn’t for you, you can still help by assisting with rescues or transportation. WIRES offers an online Rescue 101 course, which, once completed, qualifies volunteers to register for rescue and transport work. The New England team provides fantastic support and mentoring for newcomers.
Wildlife rescue is a labour of love—but for every life saved, every joey nursed back to health, and every pelican given a second chance, the effort is worth it.
