Flora laws hit wildlife shelter in pocket: 30-06-2008
Australia's laws about taking flora from state forests are hitting one wildlife shelter in the pocket.
Kangaloola Wildlife Shelter, situated in Stanley State Forest, Victoria, is run by Glenda Elliot and helps care for sick and injured animals from possums to kangaroos.
Ms Elliot has recently been warned that she is acting illeagally by picking up gum leaves to feed her injured koalas without a permit.
Ms Elliot said that costs could skyrocket as she cares for up to 50 koalas a year and has no other option as the bears will eat nothing else.
"We foot the bill for every single animal we look after and the costs are astronomical. It costs me at least $1,000 a month, including $300 just for the formula," she said.
"There would be outrage if they came here and I was starving the koalas. I'm feeding them and I shouldn't have to pay for it.
"Leaves are the koalas' only diet and they would be eating them if they were in the wild anyway."
Permits are free but she would be charged $140 per ton of leaves, enough to feed one koala for a year.
Animal lovers on holiday can expect to see a diverse range of fauna in Victoria including possums, wallabies, kangaroos, koalas, echidnas and various birds.