Lotterywest grant to assist Kanyana Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre

13/1/04
A Lotterywest community grant would provide much needed funding toward research and treatment of a virus-like disease which is taking a toll on large numbers of bobtail skinks in the Hills area of Perth.
The funds would assist the Kanyana Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre to purchase vital research tools including a microscope for tissue analysis and appropriate equipment to house and care for a greater number of reptiles.
The virological work carried out by Kanyana's partner in the grant, Department of Environmental Biology at Curtin University, will identify the virus.
Government Enterprises Minister Griffiths said the Lotterywest grant would provide greatly improved facilities to the centre, in order to treat the increasing number of sick bobtail skinks.
"Up to 46 per cent of bobtails admitted to Kanyana during 2002 were affected by upper respiratory tract infection. Approximately 85 per cent of the animals recovered and were released back into the environment," Mr Griffiths said.
"These funds will no doubt encourage the centre to continue its research, the results of which will also help other organisations to treat sick reptiles."
Kanyana Chairperson Ms June Butcher acknowledged Lotterywest's grant as being crucial to funding formal laboratory work into the cause of the bobtail influenza.
"Research into the disease is imperative in order to identify the virus and contain the disease in our own bobtail population," Ms Butcher said.
The Kanyana Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre was established in 1986 to treat, rear or care for sick, injured, orphaned and displaced wildlife.
The centre operates from premises in Gooseberry Hill and is run entirely by volunteer carers.
Minister's Office - 9222 8950