Seizure of Koala Population from Gunnedah's Waterways Wildlife Park

The following is my personal view.

This is my personal blog and the reader has chosen to read my views and my opinions by visiting my blog.

I have no personal involvement in this situation, and am basing my opinion on the views and comments by others in the paper, tv and internet and from conversations with community members in the know.

If you choose to make a comment on my opinions, please dont bother unless you leave your name and some way to contact you. Otherwise do not bother, your comment will be deleted.

Only read on if you choose to hear my thoughts on the matter.

Anyone thats been following my blog for a while

will know that Gunnedah

prides itself on out Koala population

We are the Koala Capital.

We have a champion for the Koalas in Gunnedah also

in the form of

Nancy & Col Small of Waterways Wildlife Park.

Nancy & Col have been looking after sick and injured wildlife

in Gunnedah for over 30 years

and formed a local tourists attraction

Waterways Wildlife Park.

ABC News North west Says

"The owner of the Waterways Wildlife Park, on the Oxley Highway near Gunnedah, says she does not know why the RSPCA has removed her entire population of koalas.

Three inspectors, a national parks ranger, two veterinarians and a film crew arrived at the park, home to more than 100 native animals, on Wednesday morning.

Six hours later they left with eight koalas.

One of the park's volunteers, Shirley George, says the inspectors toured the entire park and had been there nine days earlier."

Thats right, on Wednesday the entire Koala population was removed from the park by RSPCA inspectors followed by a camera crew from RSPCA's Animal Rescue Show on 7.

With no warning, inspectors came and tore Nancy's favourite animals from her arms and have taken them away saying that the animals are "under stress"

Apparently there was an anonymous tip off weeks before.

You know, Im probably wrong, but recently we had a film crew located at the Waterways Wildlife park, when they were filming Paul Hogans movie Charlie & Boots.

I wonder if someone on that production team also works for the 7 Network, saw a great opportunity for some drama on Animal Rescue

and maybe the suggestion was made that the Koalas there needed looking at.

It just seams so strange that for 30 years, these salt of the earth people, have been using their own funds and some help from local producers to help native animals, and then no sooner is Gunnedah in the lime light and this happens.

No other animals were removed, just the Koalas.

There are many other native animals out there, with a baby wombat being born just before Christmas.

If you think this is unfair,

you can support the cause for Waterways

by joining a facebook group here

You can also leave messages with Animal Rescue here

There are other suggestions on the facebook page of how you can help the cause.

Google Waterways Wildlife Park and get some more info on the place and see what a beautiful environment it is. Yes its a bit dry at the moment, but its dry all over and hey, we do have the highest Koala population in Australia, so maybe the koalas thrive in this environment.

I also can expect the the RSPCA can no longer expect any donations from the North West if this is how they choose to spend the precious donations!!

Photos courtesy of About Australia.com.au

infogunnedah.com.au

and the Waterways Wildlife Facebook Supporters photo album.