It is hard to believe it is well over 12 months since I last wrote to you. There is so much to tell and it would take me months so I will just put in the pieces that are important to Bayview and its babies.
We thought we were going really well with all our animals, no deaths except for some little pinkies(orphans that are fur less and when extremely small are hard to save), no sickness as such. It was all about to change in February 2011.
It was a change that wuld rock us to the core and question why we are doing this and should we continue. Were we good enough to do so or would the orphans be better with some other carers.
One afternoon my two adult male wombats Jimbo and Bluey who I had raised from small until they were over 3 years old. They had been gone into the wild for months so I was surprised to see them in the daylight. Bluey came and got a drink and asked for a carrot and some kangaroo pellets, Jimbo slinked up the step like he was liquid. It was then that I noticed he was sort of bent flat in the middle of his stomach. I initially thought he had been hit with a car but there was no blood. He was back for mum to fix him. To my horror five minutes later in front of me half his intestines fell out of his rectum. I phone the vet immediately and after five more phone calls to other vets after first phoning the government Native Wildlife Branch and getting there assistance I knew he had a prolapse. They could not tell me if he would be ok and if I should drive him 1 1/2 hours to a vet or if I should euthanize him so he would not suffer. The latter to even imagine was horrid, he was my boy and he was one of the most placid, loving wombat I had raised besides his friend and playmate Bluey who was eating unawares. I drove him to the vet and I could see he was in pain and was upset by this but thought by what they had said he may be saved. He could not and had suffered for nothing. I would always give an animal the chance of survival every time but now know that in that situation again I would euthanize him so he would not suffer. I ordered any autopsy and that gave no indication as to why it had happened. I still go through it all in my mind, could I have known, could I have done something else. etc. etc. etc.
Well I was in mourning for Jimbo when my Eastern Grey Kangaroo got sick all of a sudden a week later. I took him to the vet and he gave him antibiotics. By that night he had taken a turn for the worse and was passing black blood clots. I knew that was a very bad sign and was confused about what was happening. Had he been bitten by a snake, poisoned by something?? I stayed up with him all night keeping him hydrated and cuddling him. The next morning when he tried to stand he fell over because his legs would not hold him up. I knew then that he was going to die. I drove him the 11/2 hours again to the vet where he had a massive heart attack within fifteen minues and died.
I was in mourning and angry, sad and very very mad..why them?? what had gone wrong??? I did not sleep for weeks going over it in my mind. I came to the conclusion that it must have been something I had done but could not figure out what myself or after asking many experts still did not get an answer. I was just about to stop caring for my beloved wildlife orphans when my husband said to me the best thing that he could have, " without you just think of all the ones that would not have had a second chance and have given birth to others and are happy, who else cares enough to do it, you know they dont, they pat you on the back and say what a wonderful job you do and you should be commended but never help or even donate $1". How right he was and that woke me up, I cant save everyone all the time as hard as I try.
Just think of one thing for me next time you are driving along the highway and come across an animal that has been killed by a car. There could be a little orphan alive in the pouch of that dead animal, are you going to stop and look, doubt it. Are you going to think about the other driver who may stop and do something about it. They will get a wildlife carer like me to take it on and look after it for 9 months sometimes 2 1/2 years before it goes back into the bush. Are you going to offer to help them or donate anything towards its upkeep. They are doing a wonderful job without thanks out of their own pockets. Are you going to donate to them or sew them some pouches for the little ones, doubt it...think about that next time and hopefully you may do one of those things.
I have lots of good stories to share next blog but will save them to next time..Thank you for reading this.....Marcia, mum to all baby animals!
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