In a quiet corner of Rockhampton, the Caswell family are raising more than just their own children. Karen and her daughters, Darci and Madison, have built their lives around rescuing and rehabilitating some of Australia’s most vulnerable creatures.
“I grew up on a rural property where we raised the wildlife that needed help. I just loved rescuing and saving animals,” said Karen.
“Later, while working as a nurse in Townsville, one of my colleagues was a wildlife carer. She showed me what I needed to do, I did the training, had a mentor, and we started caring for critters. My passion is macropods. I just love them.”
From those early days of hand-raising wallabies, wildlife caring became a family affair. Karen and her husband would tag team round the clock, managing fatigue from their shift work while bottle feeding joeys and tending to wounds. Some came in with broken bones needing casts and physio, others with gravel rash and big skin wounds. Many simply needed the warmth of a mum.
“These little critters are like your babies; you put your heart and soul into them. Some of them just hold a place in your heart forever.”
Life changed forever when tragedy struck. Karen’s husband was killed in an accident, leaving her alone with two young girls. Wildlife caring stopped.
“I figured I couldn’t do it ever again and pulled everything down and put it all away. I was flat out putting one foot in front of the other.”
But the story did not end there.
“When my girls were about 8 and 10 they convinced me to get back into caring again. This time they were heavily involved with feeding and responsibility. Darci wanted to be a vet, and I agreed that being surrounded with critters with all different needs would help her knowledge and skills down the track.
“It involves a lot of teamwork and everyone has to be on board before taking on any animal because it requires commitment and sacrifice. But it is so rewarding!
“Though it is really hard to part with them and my dream is to one day own a property where we can release our babies and they can hang around for as long as they like.”
The Caswells are supported by a close network of carers and vets, from Janet at Joey Sacks to Bridget at Gracemere Veterinary Clinic, Greg at Alma St Vet, and friends back in Townsville at NQ Wildlife Care. Karen said they couldn’t do it without them.
Their stories are full of heartbreak and triumph. One of their smallest joeys arrived with his eyes still closed, ears stuck down and a wound at the base of his tail.
“All the odds were stacked against him but we gave him our best shot. The kids weren’t allowed to name him until he’d made it through eight days in care. His road was rough, but he made it.”
It has not all been easy. Caring for sick and orphaned wildlife also means broken sleep, constant feeding and the heartache of loss.
“Because it is so taxing we have to look after ourselves too. When we find ourselves getting worn out, we take a break, catch up on sleep and recharge before we start again.”
Through it all, Karen and her girls have learnt just how much love and joy wildlife caring brings.
“Release can be exciting but sometimes hard, especially for the kids. But our babies are always soft released and people send us photos or we go and visit them from time to time.
“The animals give you so much love in return. It is amazing when they come back, even bringing their own babies back. They are all part of the family. When you have had a hard day just doing life, they give the best cuddles and help you get back up again with a smile on your face.”
