Humans aren’t the only ones to have their homes damaged by the wet and wild weather on the Sunshine Coast in recent days.
The Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital at Beerwah has been inundated with orphaned egrets, receiving 53 chicks in the space of 24 hours.
The adorable tiny chicks came from Lake Alfred, near Gympie, as a result of fierce storms across the region.
The little chicks were roosting in a tree overhanging a duck pond when a storm hit, destroying the tree.
All of the chicks fell, with some sustaining severe injuries.
The Wildlife Warriors media team reported that a member of the public saw the chicks while out on a walk and contacted a local rescue group.
The wildlife group responded swiftly and transported all the chicks they could find to the Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital.
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“Although a few of the chicks sustained severe injuries, the majority were lucky to survive, receiving immediate care from the hospital team,” a newsletter to Wildlife Warrior supporters stated.
“The sweet little chicks range in size from just a few days old to a couple of months, all too small to survive on their own.
“The tree was a popular roosting site for a number of the birds.
“Both (egret) parents care for the young and are extremely attentive, having up to six eggs per clutch.”
Dr Tamsyn Stephenson, from the Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital, has been overseeing the chicks and their treatment.
“The majority of these chicks are very fortunate to not sustain any life-threatening injuries, but they will still be closely monitored over the next 48 hours,” Dr Tamsyn said this week.
“These chicks are amongst the cutest babies I have ever seen, and although it is very sad to think of what they have been through, we are so honoured to be able to give them a second chance at life.”
The newsletter reported that more than 40 of the chicks had already been assessed and transported to local wildlife carers, where they will be rehabilitated and cared for before their release.
The Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital rescues, cares and rehabilitates 5000 birds on average every year.
A few of this week’s chicks require more love and care from the veterinarians and nurses, and will remain at the hospital for the time being.
“When they are old enough, the chicks will be released in the same spot they were found,” Dr Tamsyn said.
“It is truly the best part of our jobs, seeing an animal get a second chance.”
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