Passion, determination and a remarkably big turtle shape Carmell Cowin’s work, dedicating herself to looking after Australian native animals as a Wildlife Carer with New England WildCare.
It is her second job, supported through her work as a carer for elderly residents in Tenterfield. Her day job provides her with the funds that assist in purchasing food and medicine for the animals to assist with their rehabilitation.
Carmell volunteers her time, effort and money for the cause that she believes in without funding from external sources.
“I have been registered for 10 years, but have been a wildlife carer for 22 years,” Carmell said.
“Who else is going to do it? It takes a certain person to do this.
“We want to make people aware that there is a place they can bring (native animals). Though we are not the RSPCA, we only look after native animals.”
Carmell works with Pam Bryce who is another registered carer in Tenterfield. The pair looks after a wide array of animals, including birds, wallabies and even a remarkable turtle that was dropped off to them last week.
“I thought ‘wow!’ when I saw it. I couldn’t believe it,” Carmell said.
“In my life I couldn’t have seen such a big Long Neck turtle out of a creek. You expect it in captivity.
“It is amazing!”
Carmell says a turtle can live for over 100 years. The turtle that they are looking after has markings that indicates he is between 50 to 100 years old, and is 35cms long. The average size of long neck turtles is 20 to 30cms.
“He was found between Stanthorpe and here,” Carmell said.
“He would have been hit by a car.”
The turtle looked to be in good condition, but did have markings that Carmell described as “war scars”.
“He will be released. I have a site prepared for him to and he will be in a safe area,” Carmell said.
“It would be best to take him back where he belongs, but in most cases we don’t know and can’t do it.”
Carmell gets up at 6am to feed the baby birds that she is rehabilitating, along with the other animals before leaving for work at 8am.
“It’s rewarding to see a really sick little animal, broken and shattered, to them being ready for release and slow release,” Carmell said.
“It’s very sad when something has to be destroyed, mainly birds, some from car injuries and hitting windows.”
At the end of the day it is Carmell’s love for animals that drives her to continue caring for native animals that are facing hard times, some with life threatening injuries.
“I volunteer and love animals,” Carmell said.
“I’m going to do it as long as I can. When I retire I’ll be able to spend even more time with the animals.”
Anybody wishing to be involved with the rehabilitation of native animals can contact Carmell or Pam for more information.