Margitta Smith from the Judith Eardley Save Wildlife Centre in Healesville takes delivery of the micro bat box from Melba Program volunteer Tony Grech and the team involved in the project.
By Kath Gannaway
THERE are 24 possums and one very happy little bat with roofs over their heads, thanks to the crew at the UYCH Men’s Shed in Warburton.
The men have been busy constructing nesting boxes for animals affected by the recent bushfires.
“Many animals were injured or made homeless and lots of babies were orphaned as a result of the devastation caused by the wildfires of Black Saturday,” explained Kath Holton who manages the program.
“The boxes are made especially for sugar gliders, brushtail and ringtail possums and one for a micro bat.”
She explained that micro bats were tiny little creatures, smaller than a mouse, so the box had been designed with a small slit just big enough for a micro bat to crawl into and feel at home.
Graham Smith, a volunteer driver with Healesville Interchurch Community Care (HICCI) suggested the building project to members of Healesville’s Melba Program who he drives over to Warburton.
His wife Margitta volunteers at the Judith Eardley Save Wildlife Centre shop in Healesville.
“They have been more than happy to receive the boxes and make sure they are donated to local wildlife rescue centres in and around Healesville,” Ms Holton said.
Volunteers leaving food for wildlife are tracking where the need is so the boxes are placed appropriately and any boxes not donated are sold at the volunteer-run shop, where all proceeds go to saving wildlife.
“I was blown away when I heard that people were out there tracking the animals so they know where to put the nesting boxes.” Ms Smith said.
“We’ve had a great response from the public to support wildlife after the fires. I thought it was wonderful that the men took on the project at the shed. It was a great idea and the Judith Eardley Save Wildlife Centre thanks all the men who worked on the project,” she said.
