The outbreak of COVID-19 has had a profound and widespread effect on many community organisations throughout the world, and right here in the Peel region.
Not-for-profit organisations from a variety of industries and sectors have been impacted by the pandemic through shutdowns and the inability to host fundraisers to keep their work ticking over.
The Mandurah Wildlife Rescue Centre is no exception with their centre in Dawesville closed making them unable to accept injured animals.
But volunteers have been making use of the quiet time to refresh and revamp their facilities in time for baby bird season later in the year.
A new 'bird hospital' has been created to care for the many injured and abandoned baby birds expected to be dropped off at the centre over spring.
As part of the project, they have painted and fitted out an intensive care unit with 'hot boxes' to care for the birds.
Director Suzanne Crouchley said there was still plenty of work left to do.
"The Mandurah Wildlife Rescue Centre is continuing to prepare for life post-COVID-19," she said.
"Staff need to make room in their aviaries for the birds to rehabilitate and get ready for their release back into the wild, but unfortunately fundraising efforts have been affected by the shutdown.
"A Go Fund Me page has been created to help raise some much-needed funds, help finish off the bird hospital and to help care for the many sick and injured animals received."
The latest task for staff at the Wildlife Rescue Centre has been to bid farewell to some longer term residents who moved on to a permanent home with Meet the Animals in Wandi.
Ms Crouchley said the two much-loved birds had settled happily into their new home.
"The main aim of the Mandurah Wildlife Rescue Centre is to be able to release animals back into the wild, and Romeo and Jaffa needed more stimulation than they could get at the centre," she said.
"Romeo and Jaffa are two male red-tailed black cockatoos who were given to the centre to care for.
"Jaffa has been at the Mandurah Wildlife Rescue Centre for two years after being hand-reared from a baby.
"The decision was made to hand them over to Meet the Animals to be trained as education birds used to educate children and others who are interested in saving our iconic wildlife."
To donate to the Mandurah Wildlife Rescue Centre, visit www.gofundme.com/f/help-the-mandurah-wildlife-rescue-centre or www.mandurahwildlife.com.au/donate.
