The Demography and Practice of Australians Caring for Native Wildlife and the Psychological Physical and Financial Effects of Rescue Rehabilitation and Release of Wildlife on the Welfare of Carers

摘要

Little is known about the physical, financial and emotional effects on the 20,000 volunteers who rescue, rehabilitate and release injured and/or orphaned Australian wildlife. A survey for wildlife carers was instigated to address this knowledge gap. Collated survey responses from the wildlife carers suggested that their physical workload is on average 32 h per week but can be up to 100 h, their financial input is on average AUD5300 per year and over a lifetime of caring can go up to AUD800,000. The emotional input is such that 28% of the respondents were experiencing moderate to severe grief. Grief increases as more joeys die in care and as expenditure rises, and is age dependent. Burnout and compassion fatigue are likely outcomes. Over 65% of respondents felt that their welfare, and that of the animals for whom they care, is neglected and unappreciated by government agencies. Unless these deficiencies are corrected by financial and emotional support and workload is reduced for carers, animal and wildlife carer welfare will be compromised.