Rehabilitation Centre (Inc.)

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Kanyana has experienced unprecedented growth in the past year.

Our success rate remains over the 50% mark. Jan-June 2007 we acheived 54% success in releasing wildlife. In the same period for 2008 56% were released. This means overall standards have not been compromised despite the increased load. Over 28,000 volunteer hours was worked during the year.

In September we were presented with a van for our education program, by the Rotary club of Kalamunda and the Forrestfield branch of the Bendigo Community Bank.

We were invited to present a "Special Topics" course for DEC on Baby birds. We also presented 4 DEC's wildlife carers courses, plus one at Exmouth. Information sessions for the public were also presented at Kalamunda library in collaboration with the Shire of Kalamunda.

Training at Telfer as part of our partnership is ongoing. We also provided training in Wildlife First Aid to Fortescue Metals group and AngloGold Ashanti's Environment staff. We have established a partnership with BHPBilliton's Ravensthorpe Nickel mine, for on site training sessions .

Research into the Western Barred Bandicoot papilloma virus has established a treatment for the virus, which will enable the resumption of the breeding program. An article about the virus has appeared in the Journal of Wildlife Diseases. A similar virus has been discovered, for the first time, in a Southern Brown Bandicoot at Kanayana.

After a number of years of negotiating we finally signed a license agreement with the Shire of Kalamunda in October, for the use of the former Girl Guides Paxwold site. We have received funding from Lotterywest of over 1 million dollars and work began on the alterations and enclosures in March. We hope to be operating from the new site early in 2009.

Training for our volunteers continues with an introduction evening for prospective volunteers held each month, followed by 3 training sessions before they begin working on a shift. A variety of other courses continue to be developed. 2 joey and a baby bird training session were held for volunteers before the start of the busy season.

A release site for bandicoots has been established at Lake Meelup in conjunction with the Lake Meelup Preservation Society. 19 animals have been released at this site.

The National Wildlife Rehabilitators Conference was held in Perth in August. Many Kanyana people were involved in the organization of the conference and 80% of the delegates, from all over Australia, visited Kanyana.

The Minimum Standards document for Wildlife care was launched by DEC after many years of consultation. This is a landmark for wildlife rehabilitators in WA. A number of Kanyana people have been involved in its development.

The bilby breeding program continues smoothly under the guidance of Leslie Polomka. She represented Kanyana at the Arid Zone conference in Alice Springs and found the experience valuable in meeting delegates from around Australia engaged in endangered breeding programs. DEC plans to release more bilbies at Lorna Glen and Pirup over the next few years, so Kanyana will need the larger facility planned and in progress at Paxwold. We had 4 pouched young at Kanyana this year. 5 of our bilbies were transferred to Zoos and breeding colonies. An injured animal with pouched young came back from Lorna Glen station. We had one death, Goucho at 8.4 years was the oldest bilby at Kanyana.

The Executive Committee decision to employ an Administrator could not have come at a better time in Kanyana's evolution. Jenny's contribution has been invaluable and we know we can't do without her.

On a personal note, the last 12 months have been the most difficult of my life after loosing my partner of 47 years. Lloyd was a pivotal person in the growth of Kanyana from a backyard hobby interest to an organization recognized Australia wide and internationally. His and my goal has been to move Kanyana to Paxwold so that wildlife in WA will be secure in perpetuatity. I would like to thank all the Kanyana family for their amazing thoughtfulness and support during this painful period.