Camping and wildlife

Are you CAMPING THIS SUMMER

What impact does camping have on wildlife?
If you are camping in areas along rivers, it is really, really important that you help our wildlife. When campers are not around (most of the year), our wildlife drink from our rivers.  Koalas in particular, will live in the trees right along the rivers. Its the best spot for them with cool breezes, access to water if and when they need it and you will find that the healthiest trees are along the water. Water is life and that goes for our wildlife too. Popular spots to camp though, are ON rivers. This means that wildlife will retreat back into the bush and won't always feel safe enough to come back to the river when they need to drink. Especially when there are not only humans around, but dogs!

MAJOR Camping Threat
I love to take our dog, Rey (a bearded collie) camping with it. She loves coming away with her family too. We know many people feel the same and thankfully, we can take them into State Forests and some caravan parks. However, its really important that you keep dogs on leads at ALL times. If an animal is in need of help, it will most likely be on the ground or very low in a tree. Right at the perfect spot for a dog to find it. If your dog is roaming it will most likely find animals when they are vulnerable. You can buy leads that are 10 or 15mts long which still gives your dog freedom but restricts it enough. Keeping dogs on leads is not only to protect our wildlife, but also your dog. Snakes are always around and you never know where they will be. Kangaroos can attack if they feel threatened and are powerful enough to kill a dog.  Even if your dog is little, super friendly or has never attacked anything before- they are unpredictable and a threat to our wildlife. 

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How can you help our wildlife while you are camping?
If you are camping, can you leave some water bowls in the bush near you? Please don't leave bowls "in" your camp because you don't want wildlife to have to come into your camp to get water. They need to feel and be safe, so leave it a good distance from you or any other campers. Maybe put some ice cream tubs in trees? 

​Its a great time for people to be the voices for our wildlife. Lookout for them. If you see something not quite right, call it in. Ask advice. Have someone come out and check the animal. The great rescuers will not be angry for getting a call for a healthy animal that's not under threat. NO call is a waste! So just make a call and ask advice. ​

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