RSPCA Queensland Archives - Centenary Today

Queensland Storm Leaves Flying Foxes Orphaned, RSPCA Responds

When a severe hailstorm hit the Queensland town of Esk, rescuers arranged for almost 120 injured flying foxes to be taken to the RSPCA Wildlife Hospital in Wacol, many suffering smashed faces and broken wings. Volunteers helped rescue the animals after they were battered by giant hailstones, some larger than cricket balls.

Storm Impact Across Queensland

Over the weekend, days of severe thunderstorms impacted the east coast of central and southern Queensland, bringing intense rain, damaging winds and giant hail. According to the Bureau of Meteorology, hailstones up to 10 centimetres in diameter were reported in numerous locations, including Esk, where a local flying fox colony suffered heavy injuries.

Volunteers from Bat Conservation and Rescue Queensland and other vaccinated wildlife carers collected injured bats from the ground and trees before transporting them to RSPCA Wacol for treatment. David Zammit, an Esk local and RSPCA animal rescue officer, said carers vaccinated against Australian bat lyssavirus worked together to gather the injured animals. He said the hailstorm injured both adult and juvenile bats, including black, little red and grey-headed flying foxes. The event left around 60 pups orphaned on Saturday night, many of them very young.

Inside the Wacol Wildlife Hospital

At the RSPCA Wildlife Hospital, veterinarians began triage immediately, warming the bats and providing fluids. Dr Emily Drayton, lead clinical vet at the facility, said the bats had suffered severe injuries consistent with hail impact. Most were euthanised because their injuries were too extensive for recovery. About eight adults and ten pups survived and are now being hand-reared.

Wildlife carers are using teats coated in glucose gel to feed the pups, as many arrive with low blood glucose. They are wrapped in blankets to stay warm and supported, helping them maintain a natural hanging position. Rehabilitation can take several months, with carers providing fluid therapy, pain relief and assisted feeding before the animals can be released back into the wild.

Community Guidance and Conservation Context

The RSPCA has urged residents not to handle sick, injured or orphaned bats. Because only vaccinated carers should handle them, people who find distressed flying foxes are advised to call a wildlife rescue service rather than attempt care themselves.

This incident shows how a single severe storm can devastate a flying fox colony in Queensland. While the Flying-Fox Roost Management Local Government Grants Program focuses on managing roost impacts and community concerns, it does not fund emergency wildlife rescue work like the response to this hailstorm.

At Wacol, carers are hand-rearing the surviving pups over several months so they can eventually be released back into the wild in Queensland.

Published 12-Nov-2025

Locals Rush to Rescue Injured Wildlife After the Hail

Photo Credit: RSPCA/Facebook

As hail battered Brisbane’s west on Sunday, neighbours rallied online and urged one another to bring injured animals to Wacol, home to the RSPCA Queensland Wildlife Hospital and a lifeline for the city’s wildlife during emergencies.

Residents in suburbs including Brookfield, Karana Downs and Pullenvale reported rescuing lorikeets, possums and an ibis hurt in the storm, wrapping them in towels and contacting wildlife care groups for advice.

Photo Credit: Melanie White/4069 Community/Facebook

The storm on 26 October 2025 brought hailstones up to seven centimetres wide, causing major damage across Brisbane, Ipswich and the Gold Coast. While official reports focused on power outages and property losses, social media filled with calls for help for injured animals.

Locals were urged to take rescued wildlife to the RSPCA Queensland Wildlife Hospital in Wacol, which accepts drop-offs 24 hours a day.

Photo Credit: Katrina Row/4069 Community/Facebook

Locals Mobilise for Wildlife Care

The 4069 region — covering Brookfield, Kenmore and Pullenvale — became an informal command centre for wildlife emergencies. One resident posted about an injured lorikeet found on a deck, while another described an ibis unable to fly near a creek crossing. Offers of help and transport followed within minutes, with residents sharing the Wacol hospital address and hotline number.

Wildlife groups such as Wildcare Australia reminded residents not to attempt feeding injured animals but to keep them in a quiet, dark box until they could reach a professional carer.

Froggy Creek and Other Sanctuaries Feel the Impact

In Karana Downs, the small wildlife refuge Froggy Creek — part of the Land for Wildlife program — reported storm damage to nesting boxes and surrounding vegetation. The caretakers posted online that they were thinking of others with property damage and of displaced wildlife seeking food and shelter.

Further east, the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary at Fig Tree Pocket confirmed on social media that it would remain closed on Monday, 27 October, due to storm damage. The post assured visitors that all animals are safe and well and thanked the public for their patience during cleanup efforts. The closure underscored how even well-established facilities were affected by the same wild weather that disrupted suburban wildlife.

A Reminder from the Past

Queensland has seen the toll severe hail can take on wildlife before. In October 2003, hailstones “the size of cricket balls” killed more than 100 birds and animals — including kangaroos, wallabies, pelicans and ibis — at the Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary on the Gold Coast. According to an archived report, sanctuary staff described it as a sombre period as they worked to care for the injured and rebuild damaged enclosures.

That tragedy remains one of Australia’s starkest examples of how extreme weather can devastate native fauna. It serves as a reminder, two decades on, of why community rescue efforts and preparedness still matter.

Getting Help to the Right Place

The RSPCA Queensland Wildlife Hospital in Wacol remained the main drop-off point recommended by wildlife groups and community members. Volunteers reported multiple deliveries of injured birds and small mammals from suburbs affected by the storm.

Carers suggest residents prepare a simple wildlife emergency kit — a towel, gloves and a ventilated box — to safely transport animals after severe weather. Those who find injured wildlife can call 1300 ANIMAL (1300 264 625) for advice.

As cleanup continues, Brisbane’s western suburbs have shown that care for wildlife can be as instinctive as protecting one’s own home. Community posts and small acts of rescue proved that even amid chaos, compassion remains the city’s strongest force.

Published 27-Oct-2025

Wacol Community Mourns RSPCA’s Michael Beatty

Photo Credit: RSPCA QLD/Facebook

Michael Beatty, a veteran journalist and long-serving spokesperson for RSPCA Queensland, has died following a cancer battle, leaving behind a lasting legacy in Wacol.

Media Career Before Advocacy

Born in England in 1949, Michael Beatty began his journalism career in Canada, eventually returning to the UK where he interviewed music icons and prominent figures. He later moved to Australia and built a distinguished career reporting for national programs such as Today Tonight, The 7.30 Report, This Day Tonight, and producing for Beyond 2000 and Wild Life.

Mr Beatty covered major global events including the Brixton riots, the Marcos regime’s downfall, and armed conflicts in Southeast Asia. His journalism career included assignments in dangerous situations, such as being shot at, stoned, and charged by a black rhino during field coverage.

Seventeen Years at RSPCA Queensland in Wacol

Mr Beatty joined RSPCA Queensland in 2004, initially as a short-term media advisor, but remained for 17 years. His role was based at the organisation’s Wacol headquarters, where he became the familiar public voice on issues of animal welfare. His work included media engagement, public education, and on-ground advocacy. Notably, he participated in public demonstrations like the 2004 locked-car heat test to raise awareness of animal safety risks.

In 2019, he was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia for his service to animal welfare. Mr Beatty redirected the recognition to the staff and volunteers of RSPCA Queensland, describing himself as “the messenger”.

Continued Involvement Post-Retirement

After retiring in 2021, Mr Beatty remained involved with the RSPCA’s Wacol centre. He continued to visit the facility regularly, donate supplies, and deliver talks on animal welfare and his career. His ongoing presence was acknowledged within the organisation following his retirement.

Tributes and Public Response

Following his passing, colleagues and RSPCA supporters shared tributes highlighting his contributions to journalism and animal advocacy. Former media peers recalled his storytelling ability and character. Animal welfare figures noted his impact on awareness and communication. Comments from RSPCA Queensland reflected his role as a key figure in the organisation’s modern identity.

Health and Passing

Mr Beatty was diagnosed with lung cancer in 2018. He lived with the condition for seven years. He was later diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia. This led to complications. His death was confirmed by family. They shared that he passed peacefully with his wife and son at his side.

Ongoing Legacy at Wacol and Beyond

Michael Beatty’s work at RSPCA Queensland’s Wacol headquarters defined the latter part of his career. His commitment to public communication. His advocacy left an enduring impact across Queensland’s animal welfare sector. The Wacol facility, where he worked and stayed connected post-retirement, remains central to that legacy.

Published 13-July-2025

RSPCA in Wacol Urges Ban on Glue Traps Due to Wildlife Injuries

RSPCA Queensland in Wacol is urgently calling for a national ban on glue traps after a growing number of native animals, including a kookaburra and a blue-tongue lizard, were found suffering on these adhesive traps intended for pests.

RSPCA’s Concerns Over Wildlife Harm

At RSPCA Queensland’s Wacol facility, staff continue to witness cases of local wildlife being injured or killed by glue traps, sparking renewed advocacy for a total ban on their sale and use across Australia.

The RSPCA reported that adhesive traps, often used to catch rodents, also ensnare non-target animals like birds, reptiles, and small mammals. These animals experience extreme stress and pain, unable to escape from the adhesive surface without significant injury.

According to RSPCA Queensland spokesperson Emma Lagoon, animals often suffer from broken bones, skin tears, and severe dehydration or starvation if not removed quickly. The Wacol-based RSPCA Wildlife Hospital regularly treats animals caught in these traps.

Staff reported treating a kookaburra, which was found with multiple small skinks on a glue trap and a blue-tongue lizard, requiring careful adhesive removal and medical care. The traps have become a growing hazard for native species across Queensland as more reports of trapped wildlife occur each year.

Retailer and Legislative Actions

Major Australian retailers, such as Bunnings, have taken partial steps to reduce wildlife harm by phasing out “naked” glue traps—those without protective barriers. Instead, Bunnings now only stocks versions of the product contained within cages designed to limit wildlife access, following guidelines from regulatory authorities.

However, the RSPCA argues that these measures fall short, noting that animals can still become ensnared in modified traps, and glue traps remain widely available online through retailers like Amazon, Kogan, and Dick Smith.

The current legal landscape for glue traps varies significantly across Australia. The Australian Capital Territory (ACT) has an outright ban, while Victoria and Tasmania restrict their sale to commercial pest control operators.

There are currently no specific regulations in Queensland and several other states, meaning the traps are readily available to the public. RSPCA Queensland advocates for a nationwide approach, pushing for consistent rules to prevent the continued harm of wildlife.

The Case for a Nationwide Ban

RSPCA Queensland emphasises that glue traps, even those contained within cages, are inhumane and unnecessary, given the availability of more humane pest control options. Glue traps not only harm non-target species but also lead to prolonged suffering. Ms Lagoon noted that animals often get their feet stuck first, then inadvertently stick more body parts as they struggle to free themselves, leading to distress and further injuries. She stated that some animals are so desperate to escape that they chew their limbs.

The RSPCA said there needs to be consistent legislation prohibiting glue traps. They argue that a uniform ban across Australia would prevent accidental wildlife harm, as each state currently has its rules on glue trap use. The organisation believes that with stricter laws, Australia can minimise unnecessary animal suffering and encourage humane pest control practices.

Published 14-Nov-2024

Wacol Animal Rescue Hotline Faces Potential Cuts

Animal welfare advocates have raised concerns about a potential change to the RSPCA Queensland’s 24/7 emergency hotline, 1300 ANIMAL.

The organisation is considering a transition to reduced hours, limiting after-hours availability.

While the RSPCA acknowledges that most calls are received during daylight hours, critics argue that the proposed change could compromise timely assistance for distressed animals, particularly during night-time emergencies. The organisation maintains that it will continue to offer an out-of-hours service, albeit with potential referral to third-party providers.

The Department of Environment, Science and Innovation has highlighted the importance of the 24/7 hotline, noting that it receives approximately 27,500 calls annually for sick, injured, or orphaned wildlife. Experts emphasise the critical nature of immediate intervention, especially for wildlife with potential internal injuries.

The proposed changes come amidst a transition period for RSPCA Queensland, with outgoing CEO Darren Maier stepping down in December. The organisation has faced recent financial constraints and internal staff concerns. However, the RSPCA insists that the proposed hotline changes are unrelated to staffing reductions or financial difficulties.

Animal welfare advocates closely monitor the situation, urging the RSPCA to reconsider the potential impact of reduced after-hours services on animal welfare.

Published Date 08-November-2024

How You Can Help RSPCA Queensland in Wacol Identify What’s Killing Lorikeets

Thousands of beautiful rainbow lorikeets undergo medical care or suddenly die due to a seasonal disease called Lorikeet Paralysis Syndrome (LPS). This alarming phenomenon, which emerged over four years ago, has been baffling veterinarians at the RSPCA Queensland in Wacol and scientists at the University of Sydney who are studying what’s causing the birds to become paralysed.

Brisbane is currently the central point of this new disease that leaves the lorikeets so helpless as their tongue, neck, and limbs stop working. Because of LPS, the birds are unable to fly, feed or defend or protect themselves from threats, which impacts their survival.

According to a study in the Australian Veterinary Journal, once LPS strikes, the lorikeets have a 60 percent chance of recovery during an intensive treatment process that entails pain relief for their muscle injuries, restoring kidney function, and correcting electrolyte abnormalities. Those with milder symptoms have an 84 percent recovery rate.

LPS manifestations peak between October and June and veterinary reports have ruled out infectious viral disease. Instead, they’ve suggested that the birds could be feeding on a toxic plant.

“The seasonal occurrence of the syndrome suggests that the source of the toxin only blooms or has fruit during the warmer months and has a relatively limited range (northern NSW and southern QLD),” the experts from the University of Sydney said.

“Therefore, the next step is tracking blossoming and fruiting patterns of plants that lorikeets feed on and correlating them with the areas in which lorikeets with the syndrome are found.”

Thus, locals can help the experts with their study by identifying plants that the birds have been feeding on and submit photos of their leaves, flowers, or fruits via iNaturalist. The public is also advised not to feed the birds with seeds and other food as they have natural food sources available.