On the evening of Monday, September 30, emergency services personnel from the Moira and Berrigan shires participated in a wildlife information session facilitated by Dutch Thunder Wildlife Shelter.
Held at the Cobram SES Unit facility, the session walked at least 20 emergency service members through a range of skills, from how to approach and handle injured wildlife to how to identify and safely transport an injured animal.
SES Cobram Unit controller Luke Herezo said members could now deploy their knowledge to assist in animal rescue operations in a professional and personal capacity.
“It gives members the confidence to use these skills in a real-world scenario,” he said.
He said the SES Cobram unit often involved itself in multi-agency training.
“In the past, we’ve been called upon to support wildlife rescue organisations such as Dutch Thunder.”
Dutch Thunder, which relies entirely on donations to provide its services, led its first Community Wildlife Information Session in Tocumwal in August.
Dutch Thunder owner-operator Kylee Donkers said the training session in Cobram was well received.
“It was a good turnout, we had good numbers,” she said.
Mrs Donkers said Dutch Thunder often collaborated with other emergency services during floods.
Personnel were shown how to safely handle various animals, including a turtle and a blue-tongued lizard.
Members of the Rural Fire Service from Tocumwal and NSW SES members from Tocumwal and Deniliquin were also in attendance.
The training is free for emergency services that wish to host a session.
Readers can find out more about Dutch Thunder Wildlife Shelter’s services by liking its Facebook page.