NEXT DELUGE TO BE HOMELESS WILDLIFE

WILDLIFE carers are preparing for an influx of birds and other animals left homeless in the wake of Cyclone Debbie.

Australian Wildlife Rescue Service president Yvette Jeffs who is based in Sarina said she expected calls for help to ramp up as residents in cyclone- ravaged regions were able to venture outside their homes.

“There are a lot of birds that will have lost their homes,” Ms Jeffs said. “I think it’s going to be very busy.”

Ms Jeffs urged anyone who found an injured bird to take it inside and place it in a box with towels or tissue paper to keep it warm.

“We wouldn’t be able to take them until it’s safe,” she said. “We don’t want anybody taking risks with their safety.”

Townsville- based rescue service North Queensland Wildlife Care has been liaising with the Fauna Rescue Whitsundays Association to offer help to care for animals affected by the cyclone.

Volunteer Bree Williams said once roads were open they would look at sending carers south to help cope with the demand for services.

“We’re happy to take any donations of money or supplies like towels or even old sheets and we will get it to the carers down there,” she said.

“One of our carers is in Ayr and they didn’t even really get affected but she has received heaps of calls from Ayr to Home Hill about birds.”

Ms Williams said birds would have become waterlogged by rain, making them vulnerable. “The sheer volume will be quite overwhelming,” she said.

The RSPCA has been helping to connect people with wildlife carers via their 1300 ANIMAL hotline.

A spokesman said the RSPCA would then connect people to wildlife care groups.