​​​​​​​​​​​​The Department held a workshop on 22 March 2021 to start discussions with the sector about working together to develop a Wildlife Rehabilitati​​​on Sector Strategy.

• Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary
• The Tasmanian Wildlife Rehabilitation Council (TWRC) 
  
• Tasmanian Emergency Animal Management (TEAM)
  
• Wildlife Information, Rescue and Education Service Inc. (WIRES)
  
• The Australian Veterinary Association (AVA)  
• Wildcare Tasmania
  

• Guiding Principles for the sector (see below)
  
• Begin developing a Wildlife Rehabilitation Sector Strategy, including organising a Coordinating Body to oversee its development
  
• The Focus Areas for the Strategy (see below)
  
• Five Working Groups to gather input from the sector about what should be included in the Strategy
  

• We value diversity in the sector and provide a safe, respectful and supportive environment that fosters learning and cooperation. 

• We understand outcomes for injured and orphaned wildlife are enhanced through collaboration and knowledge-sharing between all participants in the sector. 

• We recognise best practice rehabilitation is not static and will continually evolve with experience, new scientific research and community expectations. 
• We are open to and strive for continuous improvement in wildlife rehabilitation, from day to-day rescue and care to wildlife emergency management. 

• We play a pivotal role in helping the community to better understand the complexities of wildlife safety and rehabilitation. 

• We recognise the importance of effective sector-wide governance that defines clear roles and responsibilities and that can deliver the agreed strategic outcomes.​
  

• Community engagement
• Standards of wildlife care and training
• Recruitment, retention and succession planning
• Wildlife rehabilitation coordination and
• Volunteer support and culture
  

• Lisa Schimanski, Vol​​​unteering Tasmania (Chair)
• Greg Irons, Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary
• Leanne Taylor, WIRES
• Sharon Smith, Wildcare
• Sally-Anne Richter, Australian Veterinary Association
• Lyndell Whyte, Tasmanian Wildlife Rehabilitation Council
• Carolyn Avery, Tasmanian Emergency Animal Management
• Tering Davies, lutruwita Thylacine Wildlife Hospital
• Honey McClay, independent wildlife rehabilitator/educator
• The Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania​

The Coordinat​​ing Body will provide updates in the form of a communique after each meeting:

 Coordinating Body Meeting 1 Communique - 29 June 2021   (204Kb)

 Coordinating Body Meeting 2 Communique - 22 September 2021 (PDF 201Kb)​

 Coordinating Body Meeting 3 Communique - 27 October 2021 (PDF 188Kb)​

Online​​​ Survey Findings

​The Coordinating Body agreed to conduct a survey of people across the whole sector, to ensure that people have as many opportunities as possible to participate in developing the Strategy.

The survey was emailed to everyone on DPIPWE's contact lists for the sector, and was also circulated by members of the Coordinating Body through their own networks. A contact phone number was included in the survey so that people could get help to complete the survey if needed.

The survey was open from Thursday 15 July until Monday 2 August inclusive. A total of 150 responses were received. The survey questions are recorded at the back of the summary document below. All questions were optional.​

The summary of survey results is provided below:​

 ​Wildlife Rehabilitation Sector Strategy Survey Findings   (886Kb)​

​

​Wor​​kshop Reports​​

 Workshop 1 - Standards of Care and Training (PDF 2Mb)

 Workshop 2 - Volunteer Support and Culture (PDF 2Mb)

​ Workshop 3 - Wildlife Rehabilitation Coordination (PDF 1Mb)

 Workshop 4 - Community Engagement  (PDF 1Mb)

 Workshop 5 - Recruitment, Retention and Succession Planning (PDF 2Mb)

Draft Wildlife Rehabilitation Sector Strategy​​

​​​The Draft Strategy is now available for you to have your say: 

 Tasmanian Wildlife Rehabilitation Sector Strategy and Action Plan - Consultation Draft (PDF 2Mb)

 The Coordinating Body are seeking written submissions on the draft. 

Email your submissions to the Coordinating Body (see below)

Submissions close on 31 January 2022.