Large numbers of underweight and undernourished native animals suffering from the drought are being rescued across the Central West.
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Animal rescue group WIRES said it has been overwhelmed by the number of kangaroos, koalas, possums, flying foxes, wallabies, bandicoots and birds at risk from the drought they are having to rescue across the state.
A shortage of food is driving animals into areas of risk including roadsides where they are being hit by cars and trucks or into fields where other animals including cows are injuring them.
October is traditionally the busiest month for WIRES but this year the figures are much higher than usual.
WIRES koala co-ordinator and volunteer in the Orange region, Louise O'Brien, said it was a worrying situation.
"The increase in numbers is phenomenal, it's everyday," she said.
Among animals in her care was Lucky, a seriously unlucky koala.
She said the two-and-a-half year old was rescued after either being in a fight with another animals or hit by a car near Blayney last year.
"He was bleeding from the mouth and limping," she said.
Mrs O'Brien said after the koala recovered it was micro-chipped and released.
It's a feeling of helplessness. It really does make you quite despondent and quite depressed.
- Louise O'Brien, WIRES koala co-ordinator
"He was released on January 19 and rescued again on September 3," she said.
Lucky was found in a paddock only three kilometres from where he had been released.
"Cattle had trampled him and smashed his knee," she said.
He is now recovering at Western Plains Zoo in Dubbo.
Mrs O'Brien said it was likely the koala would have been crossing the paddock to search for food.
"The place we had to put him out to was very marginal. The trees are doing it tough as well with the drought," she said.
"Wombats are doing it really, really tough. Joeys are coming in very malnourished and are dying as well," she said.
"They are popping up in places we haven't seen at all before."
Mrs O'Brien said she had been a volunteer for 32 years and cases like this were heart breaking.
"It's a feeling of helplessness. It really does make you quite despondent and quite depressed. It's very frustrating," she said.
WIRES CEO Leanne Taylor said they were receiving 700-800 call a week across NSW.
It is seeking public donations to meet the demand for food and medication costs for animals.
"We need community support for our Wildlife Food Fund to help with the orphans coming into care. With no forecast of substantial rain in the forseeable future the situations is only going to get worse," she said.
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