Carer Membership (Individual & Family)
Membership to Pilbara Wildlife Carers Association Incorporated is open to the general public but it is about always doing what is in the animals’ best interest. This means finding the balance between raising a wild animal, as a wild animal, in a domestic situation. It is about always putting the animal’s needs before your own. To this end we seek extraordinary carers to care for the fauna that comes into care and touches our lives with love, rewarding experiences and loads of memories before leaving to be released to continue their lives back in the environment where they are intended to be.
To this end we have a few considerations for you to think about prior to becoming a wildlife carer.
Check out Get Involved
If you find that you don't have the lifestyle for being a carer but would still like to be a part of the PWCA - read more about Friends of PWCA.
Once you have considered the requirements and recommendations needed, and if you believe you have suitable skills and personal qualifications and are looking to make a significant contribution to Wildlife in the Pilbara Region through volunteering your services to be a carer then please fill out;
Our Friends
Friends of Pilbara Wildlife Carers
Help us rescue and rehabilitate native wildlife for as little as $10 per month. Your symbolic adoption supports PWCA's efforts to rescue, rehabilitate and release our precious native animals back into their natural habitats. New Friends of PWCA will receive an adoption pack including a certificate, a book, brochures, stubbie holder and stickers, plus more!
By contributing in which ever way you choose, all of us at the PWCA will be very happy to welcome any new Friends and you can be assured that your support goes to the area in which you choose. By supporting us you are involved in the vital role of rehabilitation and release of native fauna in the Pilbara.
Contribute to the survival of a species today!
What you will receive?
A Certificate
Bumper Sticker - Friend of PWCA
Sticker and Stubbie holder
A Bush Book relative to your species (Turtles of the Pilbara Coast, Mammals of North Western Australia, Common Birds of the Backyard, Australian Birds of Prey, Snakes of Western Australia)
Help Save our Turtles
In WA we are lucky enough to host six of the world’s seven species of turtles: Green, Hawksbill, Loggerhead, Flatback, Leatherback and Olive Ridley.
All marine turtles in Australian waters are protected species at both State and Commonwealth levels. Marine turtles generally live for a long time and are slow to reach sexual maturity - it can take between 10 and 50 years for a turtle to begin to breed. The only time they leave the ocean is when the adult females lay their eggs on beaches, and occasionally to bask during the nesting season.
We have many nesting beaches in the Pilbara so pay attention to any signage to make sure you do not four wheel driving on nesting beaches next time you go out. All sea turtles are listed as vulnerable, except the Loggerhead which is endangered.
Help Save our Kangaroos
Kangaroos are endemic to Australia and include wallabies, tree kangaroos, quokkas, and pademelons. Kangaroos are impacted on roads by our cars, shot for food, and suffer loss of habitat. Here in the Pilbara we have Euros or Wallaroos, the iconic Red Kangaroo and Rothschild Wallabies.
We are called out to attend to kangaroos that have been hit by cars and trains. Those that can be, are rehabilitated and released. More often than not the mothers are hit and killed and the joeys rescued and raised. Generally the joeys are in care for 9 to 12 months before being released. This takes up enormous amount of time and money.
Help Save Our Birds
Common birds are the ones that we see everywhere, everyday. They sing, play and amuse us with their antics and intrigue us with their variety of colour and diversity of species. Not just the birds we see in our backyards but the birds out in the bush such as quails, bush turkeys, finches, spinifex pigeons and bushstone curlews.
And those we see down at the beach like seagulls, sandpipers, plovers and terns. These make up the majority of birds that come into care.The more common birds are pink and grey galahs, corellas, doves, crested pigeons, mularks and yellow throated miners as well as the occasional butcherbird and budgie.
Help Save our Birds of Prey
Birds of Prey or Raptors include Eagles, Falcons, Hawks, Kites, Buzzards, Harriers, Ospreys and Owls. Raptors are easily identified by their hooked bills, intense eyes and powerful feet. They are predominantly coloured in browns, greys, whites and blacks, but often have brightly coloured bare parts such as yellow feet and yellow or red eyes. Raptors hunt either on the wing or from a perch. Many larger raptors search for prey while soaring high above. In the Pilbara they suffer from habitat destruction.
Help Save our Reptiles
The Australian continent is home to about 900 reptiles species contained in 16 families- and counting! These include crocodiles, fresh water turtles, geckos, legless lizards, dragons, monitors, skinks, snakes and pythons.
Reptiles enjoy statutory protection and it is illegal to keep any reptile without a special license. That aside reptiles are part of our native fauna that are both beautiful and diverse. The Pilbara is home to a number of Reptiles in particular the Olive Python which is listed as vulnerable.
Unfortunately the reptiles in the Pilbara are subject to poaching. Report any suspicious activity!
Convention
Code of Conduct
The Pilbara Wildlife Carers Code of Conduct provides an ethical framework for all decisions, actions and behaviour of all its members.
When undertaking activities associated with Pilbara Wildlife Carers Association, all members must:
Comply with the constitution, rules and policies of PWCA
Act only in the best interests of PWCA
At all times behave honestly and with integrity.
Treat fellow members with courtesy and respect, without harassment, and with proper regard for their rights and obligations as a volunteer.
Comply with all applicable laws and license agreements of the government of the day that relate to the rehabilitation of wildlife.
Avoid any attempt to gain individual benefit or advantage
Recognise that properly constituted majority decisions are binding on all members
Disclose to PWCA Committee any potential or actual conflict of interest with PWCA activities
Provide true and unambiguous information, as and when requested
Provide public statements on behalf of PWCA only with the prior approval of the PWCA management committee
Act with courtesy and respect to enhance the reputation of PWCA when dealing with members of the public
Recognise that by not adhering to the Code of Conduct could make that member liable to expulsion from PWCA in accordance with the Constitution.
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