Financial support from RACQ and its members plays an important role in helping Wildlife Warriors rescue and protect wildlife.

RACQ this year gave $34,000 to Wildlife Warriors, including $14,000 raised during the RACQ Clubhouse activation at the 2022 Brisbane Ekka.

Two dollars from each One Day Australia Zoo ticket purchased via RACQ Member Benefits, goes to the zoo’s Wildlife Hospital at Beerwah.

Wildlife Warriors was founded by Steve and Terri Irwin in 2002 to help protect the world’s most threatened wildlife species and natural habitats.

With the support of RACQ and its members, Wildlife Warriors can continue supporting these vital projects, including the Wildlife Hospital.

Since opening its doors, the Wildlife Hospital has treated more than 120,000 animals, giving them a second chance at life in the wild.

The Wildlife Hospital is emerging from its busiest time of the year, from September to March, known as ‘trauma season’.

Australia Zoo Senior Public Relations Executive Dhwani Chandra said with rising temperatures and animals on the move in search of water, a mate and with younger ones beginning to explore, it is a dangerous time for wildlife as they become increasingly vulnerable to road accidents and domestic pet attacks.

“The Wildlife Hospital was incredibly busy this trauma season, with our dedicated veterinary team treating every patient with the highest level of treatment and care they deserved,” Ms Chandra said.

“While continuing their life-saving efforts in treating sick, injured and orphaned animals that come through the doors, our team is involved in numerous research projects for species such as koalas and marine turtles who are sadly having a tough time in the wild.”

Since November 2021, an unknown soft-shell disease has been detected in green sea turtles, which is having a catastrophic effect on their population.

This disease causes ulcerated open wounds on their shells and flippers, often exposing the underlying bone and causing severe gastrointestinal issues.

A koala is treated at Australia Zoo's Wildlife Hospital.

The Wildlife Hospital has been at the forefront of research into this illness, helping find a cure to save these critically endangered animals.

“On average, we would treat 80 marine turtles in our specialised sea turtle facility and last year we treated 290 sea turtles,” Ms Chandra said.

“Our veterinary team suspects that poor environmental conditions are the source of the soft-shell syndrome.

“Every two to three years, female turtles will breed and lay, potentially, hundreds of eggs. With only one in 1,000 turtles reaching maturity, helping these animals recover from the soft-shell syndrome is critical to their survival.

“It takes months for green turtles to heal from this disease, and it has been devastating to see adult breeding turtles admitted as they cannot be in their natural habitat, reproducing and contributing to their population.”

Wildlife Warriors also uses two donated former RACQ fleet vehicles as part of its Rescue Unit.

“As one of Wildlife Warriors’ conservation projects, the Rescue Unit acts as an animal ambulance and responds to all kinds of wildlife emergencies seven days a week,” Ms Chandra said.

“With increased habitat destruction and urbanisation, animals continue to face immense threats in the wild.

“The Rescue Unit is busier than ever with no job too big or small for these conservation heroes.”

Recently, the Rescue Unit saved two baby bandicoots after they fell down a construction hole, removed a plastic cup stuck around a lace monitor’s neck, and saved an orphaned koala joey needing to be rescued from a tall tree.

“Our ultimate goal at Wildlife Warriors is to save one, save the species, and we are thankful for the support of RACQ and its members in our mission of wildlife preservation, helping create a world where humans and wildlife can live harmoniously together,” Ms Chandra said.

RACQ Members save on Australia Zoo tickets