Wildlife rescue kits for CFA brigades

Libby drops off kits to Moe Fire Brigade. Photos courtesy Libby’s Koala and Wildlife Crusade

 

A wildlife warrior from Diamond Creek is kitting out CFA fire trucks with special rescue packs so members can be better prepared to help injured native animals.

 

Libby Fisher discovered her passion for rescuing and educating people about Australian wildlife at age 10 when she visited Australia Zoo with her family and learned more about koalas and the destruction of their natural habitat.

In 2016, the then 11-year-old founded Libby’s Koala and Wildlife Crusade to raise money and collect items to support volunteer wildlife carers and rescuers. In 2020 it became a registered not-for-profit charity.

“Even then, habitat destruction was the biggest threat to our koalas,” Libby said.

“Cutting down their homes and food sources forces them to look elsewhere for food and shelter, including moving into suburban areas and yards where they are at risk of attack from other animals.

“I decided I wanted to do something to help, so my mum helped me google charities and organisations that support koalas, and that’s when Libby’s Crusade was born.

“I wanted to inspire people to empathise and help our wildlife.”

Her first goal was to raise $450 to plant trees for koala habitat and her passion grew from there. She has gone on to raise and donate more than $90,000 to other charities and rescue groups. 

Libby has been making wildlife rescue kits since her crusade began. Now 17, her goal is to see the kits in every emergency vehicle, including all CFA trucks.

The kits contain resources and materials sourced from the local community including a pouch, towel, pillow case, sanitiser, gloves, scissors and a step-by-step pouch check guide – everything people need to safely rescue birds, koalas, possums, baby kangaroos or wombats in need.

It is also packed in a waterproof, drawstring bag with a reflective strip, which can act as high-vis wear for people out at night.

Libby has begun distributing the packs for free to emergency services members including CFA brigades in her immediate area as well as her local shire. She also distributed them to some brigades in Gippsland when she was visiting the area for the Koala Festival in Moe.  

Passionate about teaching and inspiring others to take part, in addition to donating the kits Libby offers brigade members the opportunity to learn more about how to safety approach and rescue injured native animals including how to do a pouch check.

Brigades who would like to receive a kit can contact Libby via her website Libby's Koala & Wildlife Crusade. The packs are also available for sale to members of the public.

“So many animals are injured and killed on our roads so the kits being in emergency services vehicles and personal cars is a great first step,” Libby said.

“We have distributed 56 kits between 19 emergency service stations with more going out in the coming weeks. 

“It’s so great that brigades are so enthusiastic about the kits and want to be better prepared to help wildlife if needed.

“I’d love to see the kits in all emergency services vehicles across the state – but this is a long-term goal that will require additional funding to establish.”

For more information visit https://www.libbyskoala.org.au/

 

Submitted by	Shaunnagh O'Loughlin