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This information is taken from the Australian Animals Care and Education Inc website

http://www.aace.org.au/


Welcome to the home page of Australian Animals Care and Education Incorporated. (AACE). We are a group dedicated to the rescue and rehabilitation of all injured, ill or orphaned native Australian wildlife. Located in central Queensland, our members serve an area that stretches from Mackay to the north, Monto to the south and Moranbah to the west. AACE members strive to educate the public about the vital role Australia’s wildlife plays in the wellbeing of our environment and economy. Animals cared for by AACE wildlife carers include orphaned baby koalas, gliders, echidnas, wombats, wallabies, kangaroos, possums as well as a wide variety of birds.

Our goals[]

The rescue and rehabilitation of injured, ill or orphaned Australian wildlife for release back into the wild. The continuous distribution of information to our members and the greater community by organising lectures, education programmes and seminars. The establishment of an active and vital Junior Members Club to foster an understanding that the care of Australian Wildlife is a community responsibility and to provide a solid foundation for the next generation of carers.

Where are we?[]

AACE are located in Marlborough, Queensland, Australia

The start of Project Kial[]

Since the end of 2003, QPWS officers and wildlife carer volunteers have captured 130 Bridled Nailtail wallabies that had been kept in a 60 hectare enclosure at a mine site in central Queensland. The mine owners sponsored a university Bridled Nailtail wallaby research programme on their land as an environmental project. When the university concluded the Bridled Nailtail wallaby research project, wildlife care volunteers from Australian Animals Care and Education Inc (AACE) and QPWS officers determined that the living conditions had become highly detrimental to the health of the animals. The wallabies were relocated to a private property (Kial) where they have successfully undergone intensive treatment for various conditions including those caused by an over abundance of parasites (ticks, mites and worms) and severe malnutrition. The animals’ poor health was attributed to the decline in the nutritional quality of the natural food plants within the enclosure and the seasonal increase in the tick and mite parasite populations.

About the Bridled Nailtail Wallaby (aka flashjack)[]

The Bridled Nailtail Wallaby (Onychogalea fraenata) is one of the three nailtail species, only two of which exist today. The Crescent Nailtail Wallaby was declared extinct in 1956 as a result of fox predation and land clearing. The Northern Nailtail inhabits northern Queensland and the Northern Territory where its numbers remain steady. Some scientists believe that this species has managed to survive so well due to the fact that the centre of their home range lies north of the country populated by rabbits.

The nail on the tail[]

All three species are named after the bony nail like projection at the end of their tails. Scientists debate its function. Some believe that it is dragged along the ground as a stabilising aid when the animal travels at high speeds while others think that it is used as a dental hygiene tool used in much the same way as we use toothpicks and a third theory is that it is used to draw squiggly lines in the dirt as part of a courting ritual.

Bridled Nailtail wallaby description[]

A beautiful grey, white and yellowish wallaby measuring slightly over a metre in length including the tail, the Bridled Nailtail wallaby was believed to be extinct until 1973 when a small colony was discovered on a Central Queensland property. The Bridled Nailtail was named for the distinctive darkly-bordered white stripes that run from its ears down across the shoulders to under the forearms.

Social structure[]

The Bridled Nailtail wallaby is believed to be solitary animal preferring to spend its day alone, and only forming groups when seeking a mate.

Behaviour[]

The Bridled Nailtail wallaby feeds at night and shelters on the edges of brigalow scrub during the day. It becomes active a few hours before nightfall when it comes out to browse and groom. It eats herbs and malvaceous plants in open eucalypt woodland and grass is a minimal part of its diet unless forbs are in short supply. This wallaby has very acute hearing that alerts it to something approaching from quite a long distance. When frightened its first reaction is to freeze. They may seek shelter in a hollowed out log, or under a bush or even lay flat on the ground in the hopes that grass will conceal it effectively.

Breeding[]

Bridled Nailtail wallabies are good breeders. Females produce 2.5 joeys a year with a gestation period averaging 26 days and the pouch life lasting 120 days.

Habitat[]

Before the European settlers arrived in Australia, the Bridled Nailtail wallaby territory consisted of acacia forests (Brigalow) and grassy woodland that stretched from Charters Towers, Queensland down through New South Wales and into northern Victoria. Today they inhabit four different types of vegetation on the Taunton Scientific Research property in central Queensland: - open grassy eucalypt woodland dominated by popular box (Eucalyptus populnea) - dense acacia forest dominated by brigalow (Acacia harpophylla) - transitional vegetation intermediate between the woodland and forest areas of very dense brigalow regrowth

The Project Kial Volunteer[]

As a volunteer on Project Kial you will be given the opportunity to work with endangered species, to contribute to the species recovery, experience Australian wildlife up close, and gain an insight into endangered species conservation and management programs. At all times you will be working under the direction of Tina or Peter, or one of the Project Kial supervisors. You are expected to follow routines and procedures and carry out daily duties unsupervised. Your ability to work independently is essential.


Your main roles as a Project Kial volunteer are to:[]

• Be responsible for maintaining a high standard of day to day animal husbandry • Complete operational tasks with other team members • Observe and interpret animal behavior • Assist with trapping, wildlife health checks and wildlife treatments • Assist with the hand raising of AACE rescued wildlife • Communicate our message of environmental and conservation awareness to the wider community

How To Find Us[]

Project Kial is located 10 km outside the township of Marlborough Central Queensland. The closest major town is Rockhampton to the south and Mackay to the north. Marlborough is approximately 800 km north of Brisbane (Queensland's Capital). Kial is in an isolated rural area and as a volunteer you have signed up to work. Kial is not a holiday camp and there is limited sightseeing to be done once you are on the property. The project offers volunteers a free pickup / drop off service from the Rockhampton Airport on weekdays and from the Marlborough bus stop on weekends, subject to availability.

What to Expect at the Project[]

Kial is located in the bush (countryside) so expect bugs and insects. If you do not like insects, bring a good insect repellent. The Australian sun is relentless and good sun sense is encouraged. To quote a popular Australian slogan: "Slip, Slop, Slap" Slip on a long sleeved shirt, slap on sunscreen and slop on a hat. Good hydration is essential so it is a good idea to bring a drink bottle to carry with you into the pens. Your sleeping quarters are in a rustic converted shed which you will be sharing with the other volunteers. Bedding is provided, however most volunteers bring a sleeping bag during the winter months. The project is equipped with a kitchen, shower (no bathtub) and laundry facilities. All areas are communal and the volunteers are expected to keep them clean and tidy.


How to Apply for a Volunteer Position[]

Project Kial has run 365 days a year since the project was started in 2003. We can always use an extra set of hands to help lighten the load. To apply for a volunteer position contact us by email or complete the volunteer application form or speak with one of the project team coordinators whose contact details are below:


Peter Brooks, Chairperson. Phone: +61 (0)7 4935 6076


Lee Curtis, Grant Writer. Phone: +61 (0)7 4095-3155


Robert Moore, Vol. Coordinator-Treasurer. Phone: +61 (0)7 4778 2629 Mobile +61 (0) 4 0762 3777 Email: info@aace.org.au


Helpful links for Volunteers[]

Domestic Air Carriers

JetStar Qantas Virgin Blue


Bus Companies Greyhound Bus Service Premier Bus Service

Government Sites

Australian Immigration

Contact details[]

AACE Inc PO Box 47, Marlborough, QLD 4705 Tel: 07-4935-6076. Email: info@aace.org.

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