Stockwells is continuing its support of Currumbin Wildlife Hospital (CWH) again this year, continuing its support for the development of Eco Parklands, a dedicated outdoor rehabilitation area for sick, injured and orphaned koalas.
The Eco Parklands rehabilitation enclosure provides koalas recovering from illness or injury with an outdoor environment where they can rebuild their climbing skills, spend time in mature trees and prepare for their eventual return to the wild.
Our involvement reflects a longstanding commitment to supporting practical environmental and community initiatives in the areas where we live and work. For Stockwells, the value of this partnership is not about the size of a contribution, but about supporting a project that can deliver a meaningful and lasting outcome for Australian wildlife.
“Stockwells is a proudly Australian owned and operated company for over 55 years and with this we wanted to help give back, protect and safeguard some quintessential Australian wildlife. Currumbin Wildlife Hospital has been caring for our native wildlife for many years now and their fundamental values and mission aligned with that of our own. We love the passion and dedication of the team at CWH and are proud to be supporting them again this year,” said Maddison Mangan, Marketing & ESG Coordinator at Stockwells.
Sass the koala. Image: Supplied
Supporting the next stage of recovery
When a koala arrives at Currumbin Wildlife Hospital, it may be facing a lengthy recovery following injury or illness. Medical treatment is an essential first step, but rehabilitation also needs to prepare koalas for the physical demands of life outside the hospital. The transition back to the wild requires an environment where they can rebuild those abilities while continuing to receive appropriate care and monitoring.
This is where Eco Parklands will play a critical role.
The Currumbin Wildlife Hospital team explained, “The soft release area is the interim stage between time at Currumbin Wildlife Hospital and the release back to the wild. Koalas require extensive medical treatment, anywhere from two weeks to 16 weeks. During that time, koalas lose their strength to climb trees.”
The enclosure will provide a more natural environment for recovering koalas to regain their climbing skills and prepare for release. For animals that have spent an extended period receiving medical care, this stage of rehabilitation is particularly important.
Eco Parklands will also provide a space for sick, injured and orphaned koalas to continue their rehabilitation in surroundings that more closely reflect their natural habitat. Koalas involved in various research programs will spend time in the area, supporting the hospital’s wider work in wildlife care and conservation.
Building a more natural environment
The development of Eco Parklands centres on establishing and maintaining the trees that will make the enclosure suitable for koala rehabilitation.
“Currumbin Wildlife Hospital is grateful for the support of the site at Eco Parklands. Eco Parklands will be the future of koala rehabilitation and will develop into the main outdoor, plantation-style rehab for Currumbin Wildlife Hospital,” said the hospital team.
“This area will be filled with many trees for the sick, injured and orphaned koalas to climb. Koalas involved in various research programs will also spend time in this space.”
The work includes planting additional trees and maintaining those already growing at the site, with a variety of species planned for the enclosures.
“Currumbin Wildlife Hospital is appreciative of the work being done to establish more trees in Eco Parklands, plus maintaining the current trees that are growing. A variety of species of trees will be placed within these enclosures so the koalas can live and eat in the trees,” the CWH team added.
As the site develops, these trees will provide koalas with opportunities to climb, move and feed in an environment that more closely resembles their natural habitat.
Seeing the impact firsthand
Members of the Stockwells team recently visited the soft release enclosure, assisting with planting and site maintenance while learning more about the project from hospital staff. They also got to witness a koala being released back into the wild after receiving care at Currumbin Wildlife Hospital.
Maddison from our team reflected, “Recently, some of our team had the opportunity to assist with planting and site maintenance at the Soft Release Enclosure. Throughout the day, they spoke with staff about the project, its long-term benefits, and the current challenges facing koalas. They also gained valuable insight into the important work being done to support their recovery.
“Later that day, they witnessed the firsthand release of a koala back into the wild after it had received care at CWH. It was a truly beautiful, full-circle moment, allowing our team to see exactly what Stockwells is supporting and the impact of that support in action.”
The experience gave the team a direct connection to the work their support helps make possible.
The wonderful team at Currumbin Wildlife Hospital. Image: Supplied
A shared commitment to conservation
Supporting Currumbin Wildlife Hospital builds on Stockwells’ broader commitment to community investment and environmental responsibility.
“Since Stockwell’s beginnings, supporting our community has been a strong priority for our business. Currumbin Wildlife Hospital has never wavered on their mission to treat, rehabilitate & release sick, injured & orphaned native Australian wildlife. Knowing we are, in some small part, helping them achieve that mission is the greatest gift of all,” said Mangan.
The hospital also recognises the value of the partnership and its contribution to koala conservation.
“Currumbin Wildlife Hospital is extremely proud of their partnership with Stockwells and the shared mission to save endangered koalas. Stockwells are leading the way by supporting one of the busiest wildlife hospitals in the world and giving a voice to our national icon,” said the hospital team.
The next milestone will be seeing the first koala use the soft release enclosure as it progresses towards returning to the wild.
“We are so excited to see the first Koala utilising the soft release enclosure, knowing that our support makes a real difference for our native wildlife will be the best reward,” added Mangan.
To learn more about Currumbin Wildlife Hospital’s work, visit currumbinwildlifehospital.org.au. To explore more of Stockwells’ ESG efforts, go to this page on our website.