Victoria's wildlife was promised a hospital. It's time to deliver.

In 2023, the Victorian government promised $4.7 million for a dedicated wildlife hospital in southwest Victoria. They've broken their promise.

Today, injured and orphaned wildlife across the region are heavily dependent on Mosswood Wildlife, the area's only dedicated wildlife rescue and rehabilitation facility. Run entirely by volunteers, Mosswood cares for hundreds of animals each year, including koalas, seabirds, and penguins, but it is already stretched beyond its limits.

Wildlife faces constant threats from disease, vehicle strikes, dog attacks, bushfires, and habitat loss. Now that bird flu has reached our shores, the need for a dedicated hospital in this coastal region has never been more urgent.

A purpose-built wildlife hospital would provide the specialist care animals urgently need while supporting the volunteers working tirelessly to protect them.

With the Victorian state election approaching, now is the time to act.

Add your voice and urge the next Victorian government to fund, establish, and operate a dedicated wildlife hospital in southwest Victoria within its first year in office. Wildlife can't wait.

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The Hon.

Jaclyn

Symes

Australian Labor Party

The Hon.

Ben

Carroll

Australian Labor Party

The Hon.

Jacinta

Ermacora

Australian Labor Party

The Hon.

Roma

Britnell

Liberal Party

The Hon.

Nick

McGowan

Australian Labor Party

The Hon.

Jess

Wilson

Australian Labor Party

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I am writing to express my disappointment that the Victorian government's commitment to build a dedicated wildlife hospital in southwest Victoria has not been delivered.

In the 2023-24 Victorian budget, the government committed $7.2 million over four years to improve wildlife welfare outcomes across the state. This included $4.7 million for a new wildlife hospital in southwest Victoria, to be operated by Zoos Victoria and help increase capacity to care for wildlife impacted by natural disasters and other threats.

Unfortunately, this commitment was never fulfilled. Instead, a wildlife hospital is now being built hundreds of kilometres away in Kyabram. This change has left local wildlife organisations, including Mosswood Wildlife, confused and deeply disappointed, particularly as there was no consultation or explanation provided to the community.

Southwest Victoria has long been overlooked when it comes to wildlife care infrastructure. Yet the need for a dedicated wildlife hospital in the region has never been greater.

Wildlife faces constant threats from vehicle strikes, disease, bushfires, dog attacks, habitat loss, and cruelty incidents. Koalas in particular are increasingly vulnerable and often require specialist treatment and rehabilitation.

Mosswood Wildlife is currently the only dedicated wildlife rescue and rehabilitation facility serving the region. Run entirely by volunteers, it treats hundreds of animals every year, including koalas, seabirds, penguins, and many other native species. This dedicated team has responded to every disaster impacting wildlife in the region for nearly two decades. It also operates with the support of volunteer veterinary professionals who provide critical care to injured wildlife. Now that bird flu has reached our shores, the need for a dedicated hospital in this coastal region has never been more urgent.

Despite the extraordinary dedication of its team, Mosswood is stretched beyond its limits. It provides an essential community service and a lifeline for wildlife, but it cannot continue to meet growing demand without greater support.

A purpose-built wildlife hospital would strengthen Victoria's wildlife care network, improve emergency response capacity, and help ensure injured and orphaned animals receive the specialist treatment they need close to where they are found.

As Victoria approaches the state election, I urge you to make this critical service a priority.

I am calling on the next Victorian government to fund, establish, and operate a dedicated wildlife hospital in southwest Victoria within its first year in office. The community deserves it, our wildlife depends on it, and the time to act is now.

Wildlife cannot wait.

Sincerely,

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