WildHaven North Queensland Wildlife Hospital

10/09/2026

3 WEEKS TO GO 🐨 Townsville, are you in?

The countdown is on for the WildHaven Gala Dinner Spectacular, and tables are filling up fast!

If you haven't grabbed your ticket yet, here's what you're missing: a 3-course dinner, live music, drinks all night, and raffles & auctions stacked with prizes worth fighting for. Oh, and you'd be helping build Townsville's first wildlife hospital while you do it.

Every ticket sold gets us closer to opening our doors for the wallabies, koalas, kookaburras - and every other native critter that needs a hand.

📅 Friday 2 October 2026 | 7–11 PM
📍 Raffles & Kingston Rooms, The Townsville Collective, 21 Palmer St, South Townsville
👗 Formal, with a touch of green
💰 $195pp — dinner + drinks included

⏰ Tickets close Monday 28 September - don't be the one still asking "wait, when was that gala again?"

🎟️ Book now: https://wildhaven-gala-event.raiselysite.com
📞 Questions? Call Paul on 0474 775 962 or email [email protected]

Grab your table, grab your mates, and let's fill the room for the little ones who can't say thank you themselves. 🐾

03/09/2026

🚨 SAVE THE DATE, TOWNSVILLE - the Wallabies, Koalas and Kookaburras have something to tell you 🚨

We're officially launching WildHaven Wildlife Hospital, and we're doing it in style because nothing says "we're building a hospital for native wildlife" quite like a gala dinner with live music, raffles, auctions AND a 3-course feed at a top qulaity establishment 😏🍽️

Yep, this is the big one. The night we go from "we've got big dreams" to "the doors are (almost) open." And we want the whole community in the room when it happens. 🎉

🐨 WildHaven Gala Dinner Spectacular
🗓️ Friday 2 October 2026 | 7–11 PM
📍 Raffles & Kingston Rooms, The Townsville Collective, 21 Palmer St, South Townsville
👗 Formal dress, with a sneaky touch of green (we see you, wildlife warriors)
💰 $195pp — includes 3-course dinner + b**r, w**e & soft drinks (so, basically, sorted)

Come for the drinks, stay for the raffles, leave knowing you just helped save some furry (and feathery, and scaly) lives. 🦘🦜🐢

🎟️ Tickets are through Raisely — scan the QR on our flyer to lock yours in or book at: https://wildhaven-gala-event.raiselysite.com

⏰ Book by Monday 28 September 2026 (don't be the one who misses out)

Got questions? Give Paul a buzz on 0474 775 962 or flick us an email at [email protected]

Let's get loud for the little critters who can't speak for themselves. 🐨✨ See you on the dancefloor (and the raffle table).

27/08/2026

🦅 Meet Cookie - a tiny Brahminy Kite who travelled 275 km to get the help he so desperately needed.

Cookie is a Brahminy Kite nestling weighing just 310 grams. His ordeal began near Airlie Beach, where a member of the public discovered his parent dead in a tree after becoming entangled in fishing line.

Cookie was also hanging from the nest, caught by his wing in the same fishing line.

After being rescued and taken to a local vet, Cookie was transferred from Fauna Rescue Whitsundays to Fight 4 Flight N.Q. Birds of Prey - Townsville where he is now receiving specialised care from our amazing Deb Carter.

Deb quickly noticed that something wasn’t right. At approximately four weeks old, Cookie should be able to stand, but he was unable to support his own weight. Concerned about possible trauma, fractures or environmentally caused metabolic bone disease, Deb connected with WildHaven’s Dr Taleta Hompas for further investigation.

Cookie was sedated and underwent X-rays at Greencross Vets Aitkenvale - and thankfully, they showed no evidence of a fracture.

His leg remains swollen, however, and he is still unable to bear weight. Cookie has now returned to Deb’s care at Fight 4 Flight, and Dr Taleta will apply a supportive cast to his leg on Monday.

Cookie’s story demonstrates what can be achieved when members of the public, wildlife rescuers, carers and veterinary teams work together. Every person in that network plays a vital role - from the finder who stops to help, to the rescuers who respond, the carers who recognise when something isn’t right, and the veterinary professionals who provide the investigation and treatment needed.

That cooperation saves lives.

A huge thank you to Greencross Vets Aitkenvale for once again opening its doors, providing its facilities and supporting WildHaven to deliver veterinary care to North Queensland’s native wildlife. Access to equipment such as diagnostic imaging makes an enormous difference to animals like Cookie.

We also want to recognise Deb Carter and Fight 4 Flight N.Q. Birds of Prey for the extraordinary specialised care they provide to our region’s raptors. Their experience, dedication and close observation gave Cookie the best possible chance of receiving the help he needed quickly.

Wildlife care is never the work of one person or one organisation. It takes a connected community and Cookie is now receiving the care he needs because that community came together for him. 💚

His story is also a heartbreaking reminder of the danger discarded fishing line poses to native wildlife. Please dispose of fishing line, hooks and tackle responsibly - it can mean the difference between life and death.

We’ll keep you updated on Cookie’s progress. 🦅

27/08/2026

A huge thank you to IMAIR Air Conditioning & Refrigeration and IMCommercial commercial property specialists!

We are beyond grateful to announce that Dave from IMAIR, together with Eliza from IMCommercial , have joined forces to supply and fit two Daikin air conditioning units as a generous in-kind donation to our new wildlife hospital.

This support means so much to us - proper climate control is essential to ensuring our native animals receive the safe, comfortable care and treatment they need while they recover with us.

Thank you both so much for your generosity and for believing in what we do. We are so proud to stand alongside businesses like IMAIR and IMCommercial who genuinely care about our region's wildlife.

On that note - WildHaven is currently looking for a sponsor to help us supply benches for the hospital. If your business would like to get involved and support our wildlife in a lasting way, we'd love to hear from you!

Once again, thank you IMAIR Air Conditioning & Refrigeration and IMCommercial property specialists - your generosity is making a real difference for the wildlife of our region. 🙏

24/08/2026

A heartfelt thank you to the wonderful team Tropical Vets North Shore for their generous donation to WildHaven.

The team donated a patient monitor, along with a range of essential consumables and dressings that will directly support the treatment and care of North Queensland’s injured and sick native wildlife.

Pictured are Dr. Tori (left) and Nurse Molli, who kindly presented the donated equipment and supplies. We are incredibly grateful for the generosity and kindness shown by the entire Tropical Vets team.

Support like this is helping us equip WildHaven and move closer to opening the doors of North Queensland’s first dedicated wildlife hospital.

Thank you, Tropical Vets – North Shore, for standing alongside us and helping give our native wildlife the care they deserve.

19/08/2026

There has been plenty happening behind the scenes at WildHaven!

Over the past few months, we have been speaking with prospective corporate partners - some exciting announcements are coming soon - and working alongside incredible local tradespeople who are donating their time, skills and materials to help get our hospital’s doors open.

What has stood out most is the willingness of people who understand just how urgently North Queensland needs a dedicated wildlife hospital to step forward and help make it happen.

We have also been out in the community sharing WildHaven’s vision, including a recent presentation to the Rotary Club of Ross River and Rotary Club of Townsville. These conversations are helping more people understand the urgent need for a dedicated wildlife hospital in North Queensland.

The WildHaven leadership team are working hard alongside corporate and community organisations to bring this much needed service to life.

Behind the scenes, we have been working with human hospitals to secure donations of vital medical equipment and have reached two important milestones: WildHaven is now officially registered as an Australian charity with the ACNC, and we have received approval from the Veterinary Surgeons Board to treat wildlife at our facility.

There is still plenty of work ahead, but we are making real progress toward opening our doors. Over the coming weeks, we look forward to introducing some of the generous people and businesses helping bring WildHaven to life - and showing you more of what is taking shape behind the scenes.

Thank you for following the journey. 🐸💚

29/07/2026

🐸 Jethro’s story has made the Townsville Bulletin!

What began with one local resident noticing a little frog in trouble has become a wonderful community story about compassion, wildlife and the difference one person can make.

Thank you to the Townsville Bulletin for sharing Jethro’s journey — from being found with a severely injured foot, through emergency surgery with WildHaven’s Dr Taleta, to receiving his very fitting name thanks to the overwhelming community vote.

We are delighted to report that Jethro continues to recover well. 💚

A huge thank you to his namesake, Jethro Risso, for raising the alarm, to Greencross Vets Aitkenvale for providing the clinical space for his surgery, and to everyone who followed his story, voted, commented and showed that even the smallest native animal matters.

When people notice, people care - and sometimes, one little frog can bring an entire community together.

Have a read of Jethro’s story below. 👇

A green tree frog has escaped the painful and potentially fatal process of losing a limb to necrosis after Townsville resident Jethro Risso noticed the little creature’s poor condition and posted him to Facebook.

24/07/2026

It’s been a busy month for Dr Taleta, caring for all things slippery - from snakes and turtles to frogs.

These incredible animals play a vital role in maintaining a healthy ecosystem by helping control insect populations and pest species, keeping our environment in balance.

WildHaven will make sure these little guys receive the medical treatment that they need, and are returned to their habitat to fight another day........

23/07/2026

🐢 Behind the Scenes: The Power of Supportive Care

Meet Tortilla, a freshwater turtle who was brought into NQ Wildlife Care after being struck by a car, suffering multiple severe shell fractures.

Her shell has been carefully stabilised with wire to allow the fractures to heal, but that was only the beginning of her recovery.

Following significant trauma, many wildlife patients experience stress that affects their appetite.

Unfortunately for turtles, not eating can quickly lead to dehydration, electrolyte imbalances and a lack of the nutrients needed for healing.

To give Tortilla the very best chance of recovery, the WildHaven veterinary team placed a feeding tube.

This allows her to receive balanced nutrition, fluids and essential medications with minimal stress while she focuses her energy where it matters most—healing.

And yes - if you checked the xray like we did...... you're right! She's going to be a Mama soon 😇

It's a wonderful reminder that veterinary medicine isn't just about treating injuries. Sometimes the greatest difference comes from supporting the body while it does what it was designed to do.

A huge thank you to Greencross Vets Aitkenvale for once again supporting North Queensland's wildlife by providing access to their facilities and equipment. Partnerships like these help ensure native animals receive the highest standard of veterinary care. 💚

We're all cheering for you, Tortilla, and we'll be sure to keep you updated on her journey! 🐢🌿

20/07/2026

🐍 Fascinating Fact Monday....ssssss 🐍

This is Snek, a beautiful carpet python who was rescued after being attacked by a dog.

Despite multiple puncture wounds, Snek was incredibly fortunate. Radiographs showed he had sustained just one fractured rib—can you spot which one? 👀

This image was taken by NQ Wildlife's Stewart McDonald and Dr Taleta from WildHaven using the radiography facilities at Greencross Vets Aitkenvale.

A huge thank you to the Greencross team for generously supporting local wildlife by allowing us access to their advanced imaging equipment. 💚

Here's a fascinating fact about snakes...

Unlike us, snakes don't have a diaphragm. Instead, they breathe using hundreds of ribs and an intricate network of muscles that move each rib independently.

Because their ribs aren't attached to a breastbone, they have remarkable control over them - allowing snakes to:

🐍 Breathe, even while constricting prey.
🐍 Move by using their ribs and belly scales to help propel themselves.
🐍 Expand their bodies to swallow prey much wider than their heads.
🐍 In some species, even glide through the air!

Thankfully, Snek escaped without any significant internal injuries. He'll remain in the expert care of NQ Wildlife Care while receiving antibiotics for his wounds before, hopefully, being released back into the wild where he belongs.

We're looking forward to seeing you back out there, Snek! 🌿💚