Wallaby Rehabilitation in Queensland

  Australia

• Queensland: 
Queensland

Duration of Program: 2-4 weeks
Typical Duration of Program: 1-2 weeks
Dates: 2 - 6 weeks

Description: Believed to be extinct until the 1970's the Bridled Nail tail Wallaby is one of Australia's most endangered species. During 2004 volunteers and Queensland Parks and Wildlife captured over 130 Nail tails from a site in central Queensland. The QPWS officers had found the animals were in very poor health due to the unsuitability of the site and were suffering from malnutrition and parasites; they needed expert care and relocation, this is where AACE (Australian Animals Care and Education) stepped in. The conservation volunteers from AACE have the skills needed to ensure these animals make a full recovery and can eventually be released and become a viable wild population.

While QPWS can provide support and assistance funds for animal welfare projects are at an all time low and the majority of AACES workers are volunteers. The Nail tails are currently more endangered than the Giant Panda but despite this fund, publicity and help are hard to come by. The careers at the project currently work around the clock to maintain and care for the animals as well as raising funding, seeking and monitoring suitable release sights and caring for most of the other orphaned or injured kangaroos and wallabies in the area. The careers need help and willing hands to ensure the fate of these beautiful animals.

Highlights: Australia is one of the most biologically diverse countries in the world. It is home to more than a million species, 70 per cent of which are found nowhere else on earth. Unfortunately climate change and globalization have already driven 50 indigenous animals and 60 indigenous plant species to extinction, and with thousands more on the critical list, conservation is paramount. You could help long-term, nationwide projects that are currently maintaining 82kms of walking tracks, building 12kms of fences and replanting 600,000 trees every year.

Qualifications: Volunteers will be hands on people who love the outdoors. You should be in good health and reasonably fit. Be prepared to take part to the best of your ability and work well in a team. You will need to be willing to get stuck in and get your hands dirty. You will need to be flexible and be prepared to work strange hours to fit in with the animals. The animals are the priority and you must be willing to do what is needed. You must have a real love of animals.

Cost in US$: $1673 for 2 weeks; $200 for each additional week

When you arrive we provide: pick-up from the airport on the designated arrival date welcome orientation regularly-inspected accommodation well-researched, quality placement, support of in-country i-to-i team. You will always have: access to our emergency support team 24/7 assistance of the global i-to-i staff guidance and advice from experienced i-to-i travelers.

Experience Required: no

Age Range: 18 - 80

This Program is open to World Wide Participants.

Application Process Involves:

• Phone Interview

Post Services Include:

• Alumni Network

i-to-i Meaningful Travel's Mission Statement: Founded in 1994, i-to-i is an award-winning organization providing unique opportunities for you to travel, work and live abroad. Thousands of travelers aged 18 to 80 have joined our volunteer vacations and over 15,000 have learned to Teach English as a Foreign Language through our tailor-made TEFL courses. With over 300 projects on 4 continents, you can join the worldwide i-to-i volunteer community on an extended adventure in areas such as teaching, community development, sports coaching, conservation, building or internships in tourism, marketing, journalism, or health.

Year Founded: 1994