This driver's shocking discovery in a Woolworths parking lot is a lesson for us all - Find out what was 'cooking' inside the car!
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It was an ordinary day in the bustling Woolworths car park in Ballina, south of the NSW holiday town of Byron Bay when an extraordinary scene unfolded. Geoff, a local shopper who had popped in to pick up some school supplies, found himself at the centre of an impromptu gathering of concerned citizens, security personnel, and centre management. The cause of the commotion? A large native animal was discovered trapped behind the grille of a silver Nissan.
The air was thick with humidity that Tuesday morning and the temperature was on the rise. Geoff, along with others, was drawn to the plight of the wallaby, which, while not visibly injured, was clearly in distress. The animal was trapped, with no shade to protect it from the relentless sun, and Geoff knew that time was of the essence. He worked with the security guard to keep onlookers at bay and to shield the wallaby from the sun's rays.
'I was surprised it looked relatively unscathed. But it would have been cooking. There’s no cover in that car park, so it was completely exposed,' Geoff recounted, highlighting the urgency of the situation. Umbrellas were quickly procured and placed around the vehicle to provide some much-needed shelter for the wallaby while they awaited professional help.
The car's owner returned from her shopping to a sight she could never have anticipated: a crowd surrounding her car, with Geoff and a motley crew of locals trying to assist the trapped animal. The driver was stunned, especially since there was only a small hole in the car's grille, and she had no recollection of hitting a wallaby. 'She was in shock and couldn't believe it,' said Geoff, reflecting on the driver's bewildered reaction.
Wallabies, like their kangaroo cousins, are susceptible to a condition known as myopathy when stressed. This condition can be fatal, and once it sets in, the animal often needs to be euthanised. This added a layer of complexity to the rescue operation, as keeping the wallaby calm was crucial.
When the animal rescue service WIRES arrived, volunteer Mark Badgery took charge. A video shared with Yahoo News shows him carefully and methodically freeing the sedated wallaby, ensuring no further harm came to it. 'I was watching every movement as I pulled him out... Then I was being careful not to drop him as we came out,' Mark explained, detailing the delicate rescue process.
Dr Bree Talbot, the head veterinarian at Byron Bay Wildlife Hospital, was on hand to examine the wallaby. Despite her initial fears of severe injury, she was relieved to find that the wallaby was in relatively good shape. 'I was assuming the worst... But his bones were fine, and there was no blood coming out of his nose,' she shared with relief.
The survival of wallabies in such situations is not unheard of. In fact, there have been several instances where young wallabies have endured car strikes and emerged with minor injuries. Dr Talbot suspects that their small size and the design of car grilles, which are meant to break upon impact, contribute to these miraculous survivals.
The rescued wallaby, now affectionately named Arnold Schwarzenegger for his incredible resilience, is currently in care and under observation. The morning after his rescue, Arnold appeared bright and continued to show signs of improvement.
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the unexpected encounters with wildlife that can occur on Australian roads. It also highlights the importance of community and professional responders working together to ensure the safety and well-being of our native animals.
For those in the Northern Rivers region inspired by this story, WIRES is calling for volunteers to assist in wildlife rescue and care. They offer a rescue and immediate care course (RICC) for those interested in making a difference. Details can be found on their website or by contacting them directly.
As members of the Seniors Discount Club, we cherish Australia's unique and diverse environment. Stories like Arnold's remind us of the resilience of nature and the role we all play in protecting it. Have you had any memorable encounters with Australia's wildlife? Share your experiences in the comments below, and let's celebrate the weird and wonderful creatures that call this land home.
The air was thick with humidity that Tuesday morning and the temperature was on the rise. Geoff, along with others, was drawn to the plight of the wallaby, which, while not visibly injured, was clearly in distress. The animal was trapped, with no shade to protect it from the relentless sun, and Geoff knew that time was of the essence. He worked with the security guard to keep onlookers at bay and to shield the wallaby from the sun's rays.
Geoff, a shopper at a Woolworths car park in Ballina, discovered a trapped red-necked wallaby behind the grille of a car. Credit: Tracie Louise / iStock
'I was surprised it looked relatively unscathed. But it would have been cooking. There’s no cover in that car park, so it was completely exposed,' Geoff recounted, highlighting the urgency of the situation. Umbrellas were quickly procured and placed around the vehicle to provide some much-needed shelter for the wallaby while they awaited professional help.
The car's owner returned from her shopping to a sight she could never have anticipated: a crowd surrounding her car, with Geoff and a motley crew of locals trying to assist the trapped animal. The driver was stunned, especially since there was only a small hole in the car's grille, and she had no recollection of hitting a wallaby. 'She was in shock and couldn't believe it,' said Geoff, reflecting on the driver's bewildered reaction.
Wallabies, like their kangaroo cousins, are susceptible to a condition known as myopathy when stressed. This condition can be fatal, and once it sets in, the animal often needs to be euthanised. This added a layer of complexity to the rescue operation, as keeping the wallaby calm was crucial.
When the animal rescue service WIRES arrived, volunteer Mark Badgery took charge. A video shared with Yahoo News shows him carefully and methodically freeing the sedated wallaby, ensuring no further harm came to it. 'I was watching every movement as I pulled him out... Then I was being careful not to drop him as we came out,' Mark explained, detailing the delicate rescue process.
Dr Bree Talbot, the head veterinarian at Byron Bay Wildlife Hospital, was on hand to examine the wallaby. Despite her initial fears of severe injury, she was relieved to find that the wallaby was in relatively good shape. 'I was assuming the worst... But his bones were fine, and there was no blood coming out of his nose,' she shared with relief.
The survival of wallabies in such situations is not unheard of. In fact, there have been several instances where young wallabies have endured car strikes and emerged with minor injuries. Dr Talbot suspects that their small size and the design of car grilles, which are meant to break upon impact, contribute to these miraculous survivals.
The rescued wallaby, now affectionately named Arnold Schwarzenegger for his incredible resilience, is currently in care and under observation. The morning after his rescue, Arnold appeared bright and continued to show signs of improvement.
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the unexpected encounters with wildlife that can occur on Australian roads. It also highlights the importance of community and professional responders working together to ensure the safety and well-being of our native animals.
For those in the Northern Rivers region inspired by this story, WIRES is calling for volunteers to assist in wildlife rescue and care. They offer a rescue and immediate care course (RICC) for those interested in making a difference. Details can be found on their website or by contacting them directly.
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