Dutch Thunder Wildlife Shelter

Dutch Thunder Wildlife Shelter We're a 24hr volunteer Wildlife Emergency Rescue Service & Licensed Wildlife Shelter dedicated to th

UPDATE - this is all sorted thanks!!!URGENT WILDLIFE TRANSPORT NEEDED - pick up a precious little package in Echuca and ...
31/08/2026

UPDATE - this is all sorted thanks!!!

URGENT WILDLIFE TRANSPORT NEEDED - pick up a precious little package in Echuca and transport to the shelter in Koonoomoo. NEEDED ASAP

A huge THANK YOU to all of our regular supporters and donors who continue to stand behind Dutch Thunder Wildlife Rescue....
31/08/2026

A huge THANK YOU to all of our regular supporters and donors who continue to stand behind Dutch Thunder Wildlife Rescue. Your generosity helps us rescue, rehabilitate and care for our precious native wildlife 24/7.

We’d especially like to recognise our amazing Community Partners and Sponsors, whose logos are now proudly displayed on our rescue vehicle.

Your support is more than just a donation — it’s our community coming together to protect the wildlife we all care about.

A special thank you also goes to The Sign Society for doing such a fantastic job bringing it all together. We absolutely love how our rescue vehicle is looking!

To every business, organisation and individual who supports Dutch Thunder — thank you for believing in what we do. We couldn’t do it without you!

Bluebird Cobram Kindergarten
Cobram Youth Op-Shop
RACV Cobram Resort
Cobram & District Specialist School
Sporties Barooga
Bullanginya Dreaming
Sam Mason Legal
Manto Produce

We would like to thank Victorian Rotary Emergency Services Community Awards - Vic RESCA for making us part of your incre...
31/08/2026

We would like to thank Victorian Rotary Emergency Services Community Awards - Vic RESCA for making us part of your incredible event on Saturday night. We were incredibly humbled and deeply honoured to be nominated for the award.

We would like to thank the all the Rotary Districts and everyone involved with the organisation of the awards and thank you for recognising a part of emergency response that is often unseen—our wildlife.

While it was an individual name on the award it was nice to be able to stand up there on behalf of every wildlife rescuer, wildlife carer, rehabilitator and volunteer across Victoria and throughout Australia who answers the phone at all hours of the day and night, often without recognition, without funding and without expecting anything in return.

Wildlife emergencies don’t happen only between business hours. They happen during bushfires, floods, storms, road accidents and heatwaves. They happen on Christmas Day, in the middle of the night and when everyone else is seeking shelter. Yet thousands of volunteers quietly step forward because they believe every native animal deserves a chance.

We have the privilege of working alongside amazing people and organisations such as Wildlife Victoria, Parks Victoria, dedicated veterinarians, other amazing emergency services and countless volunteers. Together we’ve responded to bushfires, floods and wildlife emergencies, conducted black walks after fires to search for injured survivors, educated our communities, mentored new wildlife carers and supported families by delivering pet food and supplies during times of crisis.

We hope this recognition also highlights something bigger. Wildlife rescue is an emergency service. Our native animals cannot dial 000. They rely entirely on ordinary people doing extraordinary things when disaster strikes.

Thank you for believing that wildlife matters, for recognising the volunteers who dedicate their lives to protecting it and for giving our often unheard voice a place on the stage.

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1GttStq4Dt/?mibextid=wwXIfr

🦘 MEET ANOTHER ONE OF THE TEAM – INTRODUCING TAHLIA! 🐨Wildlife volunteers give their time, knowledge and heart to helpin...
28/08/2026

🦘 MEET ANOTHER ONE OF THE TEAM – INTRODUCING TAHLIA! 🐨

Wildlife volunteers give their time, knowledge and heart to helping our native wildlife.

Tonight we’d love you to meet Tahlia, one of our wonderful volunteer transporter and rescuers.

Tahlia brings something pretty special to our team — she is a qualified veterinary nurse with a wealth of knowledge and training when it comes to animal behaviour which she has learnt through her work with domestic animals.

Tahlia also has her own business which we love, Nitro.Pooch. The Dutch Thunder ‘domestics’ especially love her ‘puppy treats’. Make sure you head over and check her out!

We asked Tahlia a few questions so you too can get to know the person behind the rescuer…

🐾 What made you want to become a wildlife rescue volunteer?
“I have always had a massive passion and love for animals. I wanted to be able to do my part in the conservation, care and rescue of our native animals, no matter how big or small. Being able to give back and help animals in need is something that means a lot to me.”

🦉 What do you enjoy about your role as a Dutch Thunder Wildlife volunteer?
“I love being able to grow and learn as a wildlife volunteer under Kylee and James’ wing at this amazing shelter. It is one of the most valuable experiences I could have ever asked for. Being able to respect, care for and work with these animals is just beyond amazing and I just feel very lucky to be a part of the team.”

🍼 What’s been your most memorable or funny experience so far?
“Being able to care for and look after the adorable roo joeys has definitely been one of my most memorable experiences. Being able to help feed them and support Kylee and James in keeping these little joey kangaroos healthy and thriving is such a privilege. I am so grateful to be able to be a part of their care and watch them grow.”

🐨 What’s your favourite Australian native animal?
“My favourite native animal is definitely the koala. They have so many beautiful and unique features and you just can’t help but love their cute little faces!”

🐕 Do you have any domestic pets?
“Yes! I have a Border Collie Kelpie who is sometimes a little too smart for his own good!”

🌿 What’s your favourite thing to do in your spare time?
“I love spending time outdoors. Whether it’s sitting by a river, going for a hike, exploring nature or even staying indoors and letting my creativity flow, I love being able to enjoy the things around me and have some time to unwind.”

💚 What would you say to someone thinking of becoming a wildlife volunteer?
“Just start! Even if you don’t have much experience, there is always something you can learn and so many ways you can help. Being able to appreciate nature, learn about our native wildlife and make a difference, no matter how small, it’s such a rewarding experience. You never know where volunteering might take you and I would definitely encourage anyone with a passion for animals to give it a go!”

🦘 MEET THE TEAM – INTRODUCING DAVID! 🦅Behind every wildlife rescue is a dedicated team of people who give their time, kn...
28/08/2026

🦘 MEET THE TEAM – INTRODUCING DAVID! 🦅

Behind every wildlife rescue is a dedicated team of people who give their time, knowledge and heart to helping our precious native wildlife.

Today, we’d love you to meet David, one of our wonderful volunteer rescuers.

David has been involved in wildlife care and rescue as well as visiting our shelter from down south for quite some time, bringing with him a wealth of experience, young muscles and a genuine passion for helping wildlife. When David moved to our area, we were incredibly lucky that he reached out to us and even luckier when he decided to join the our little team!

We thought it was time for you to get to know the person behind the rescuer, so we asked David a few questions…

Q - What made you want to become a wildlife rescue volunteer?
A - My genuine love for animals and nature, I’ve always had a lifelong love for wildlife, volunteering is my way of giving back to nature.

Q - What do you enjoy about your role as a DTWR volunteer?
A - I enjoy giving injured wildlife a second chance, by helping construct enclosures, attending rescues, transporting animals and feeding them.

Q - What’s been your most memorable or funny experience so far?
A - Most memorable moment would be when we did the tree planting day a few years ago and more recently helping with my first wedgetail eagle rescue.

Q - What’s your favourite Australian native animal?
A - If I had to choose my favourite Australian animal would have to be the wedge tailed eagle.

Q - What do you do for a job?
A - I am a qualified arborist.

Q - Do you have any domestic pets?
A - A German shepherd called “Koda”

Q - What’s your favourite thing to do in your spare time?
A - Spending time in the outdoors hiking and camping.

Q - What would you say to someone thinking of becoming a wildlife volunteer?
A - Becoming a wildlife volunteer is a great cause to support with many different roles to choose from, whether it’s transporting or attending rescues or even something as easy spreading awareness around our native wildlife.

UPDATE - both boxes spoken for, thanks Anikia & Krystal👍🍎FRUIT CUTTING🍐VOLUNTEERS 🌽NEEDED🥕THIS WEEKEND!!!🍠We have 2 boxe...
27/08/2026

UPDATE - both boxes spoken for, thanks Anikia & Krystal👍

🍎FRUIT CUTTING🍐VOLUNTEERS 🌽NEEDED🥕THIS WEEKEND!!!🍠
We have 2 boxes of fruit that needs to be cut between now and Saturday morning, if you’re interested please comment below.
Fruit will need to be collected from the shelter in Koonoomoo and then returned or if you’d prefer you can use our fruit cutting area on site, it’s a little damp under foot but you can enjoy the fresh air and sunshine.

⚠️🖤SWOOPING SEASON IS HERE!🖤⚠️Our beautiful Aussie magpies and plovers are busy doing what they do best at this time of ...
26/08/2026

⚠️🖤SWOOPING SEASON IS HERE!🖤⚠️

Our beautiful Aussie magpies and plovers are busy doing what they do best at this time of year — protecting their nests and their precious eggs and chicks.

And while we absolutely love our native birds, some of them can become VERY protective parents… which can mean a few unexpected screeches and fly-bys for us humans!

Swooping generally only lasts for a short period while chicks are in the nest and when they first come to ground but it’s important to take it seriously and give nesting birds plenty of space.

🪖 If you know you’re entering a swooping zone:
• Slow down and stay alert
• Wear a hat or carry an umbrella
• Avoid getting too close to the nest
• Where possible choose an alternative route
• Keep children and pets away from nesting areas

Most importantly — please don’t harm or harass them. They’re simply protecting their babies.

If you encounter an aggressive swooping bird or want more information about staying safe, check out the Victorian Government’s wildlife information.

www.wildlife.vic.gov.au/managing-wildlife/swooping-birds

Stay safe, give them space and remember… they were here first!

A special thank you to Cobram Secondary College for inviting us to be part of such a wonderful day. Kylee was incredibly...
26/08/2026

A special thank you to Cobram Secondary College for inviting us to be part of such a wonderful day. Kylee was incredibly impressed by how respectful, engaged and genuinely interested the students were. They asked some fantastic questions and shared some wonderful stories about their own experiences with wildlife and our beautiful Murray River.

It is so encouraging to see young people who care about the environment, ask questions and want to understand the wildlife and waterways that make our region so special. These are the future custodians of our Murray River and its incredible wildlife.

Thank you for allowing us to share our knowledge, experiences and passion with your students. We loved being part of it!

It was also nice to be joined by a number of our local residence, 2 koalas, magpies, galahs, kookaburras, dragon flies and even a couple of beautiful butterflies!
🐨🦆🦜

SPRINGTIME MEANS BABIES, BABIES & MORE BABIES! We’ve recently had the absolute pleasure of visiting Bluebird Cobram Kind...
24/08/2026

SPRINGTIME MEANS BABIES, BABIES & MORE BABIES!

We’ve recently had the absolute pleasure of visiting Bluebird Cobram Kindergarten and Strathmerton Preschool for some very special Wildlife Education programs!

Spring is such an exciting time in the wildlife world — warmer weather, new growth and most importantly… BABIES!

We’ve been teaching the children what spring means for our native wildlife and most importantly what to do when they come across a wildlife baby.

The children learnt that we should NEVER simply pick up or touch a baby animal — whether it’s a baby bird, possum, glider or duckling.

Mum or Dad may be nearby, even when we can’t see them! Sometimes the very best thing we can do is leave babies where they are and give their parents the opportunity to care for them.

Of course, we couldn’t talk about babies without introducing the children to some of Dutch Thunder’s very own non-native babies!

The children were lucky enough to meet our adorable goslings and chicks up close, giving them the opportunity to learn about caring for animals, being gentle and respectful and understanding that every little life matters.

We absolutely LOVE being able to bring wildlife education into our kindergartens and help create the next generation of little wildlife protectors.

Learn.
Respect.
Protect Wildlife.

A huge thank you to both Bluebird Kindergarten and Strathmerton Preschool for welcoming Dutch Thunder Wildlife and for helping us teach these important messages from such a young age.

Spring is here early… and the babies are coming in!!!

Address

Levings Road
Koonoomoo, VIC
3644

Telephone

+61417560910

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