Maggie van Santen Maggie van Santen

Meet Kiera

“Kiera’s Last Whisper”

In the quiet hours of late Sunday afternoon, cradling Kiera’s lifeless body, I find myself grappling with tears and the raw emotions that come with caring for injured and orphaned joeys. Kiera, a mere 466 grams of vulnerability, had nestled into my heart and life—a sister for Katie and Kenny.

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Maggie van Santen Maggie van Santen

Meet Our Neonate Joeys

“Remembering Our Littlest Ones: Neonate Joeys Who Touched Our Hearts”

In the quiet corners of Amaris Wildlife Sanctuary, where eucalyptus leaves rustle in the breeze, there lies a tender ache—a whisper of loss that echoes through the gum trees.

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Maggie van Santen Maggie van Santen

Meet Pippin

Pippin the 28 Parrot

The 28 Parrot, also known as the Australian Ringneck (Barnardius zonarius), gets its name from its distinctive call. The call of this parrot sounds very much like it is saying "twenty-eight" repeatedly.

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Maggie van Santen Maggie van Santen

Meet Bandit

“Bandit’s Bounce Back: A Tail of Resilience and Love”

Bandit has overcome significant challenges, including two broken tails and a bone infection, which required extensive care and rehabilitation. Bandit's journey has been a testament to resilience and the dedication of Amaris. His story has touched many hearts and served as an inspiration to all who have followed his journey

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Maggie van Santen Maggie van Santen

Meet Lily & Poppy

Lily and Poppy came to Amaris Wildlife Sanctuary, to continue their journey to become wild girls before eventually moving to Karlup Animal Sanctuary as their final step. Little did I know then how they would settle deep into my heart.

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Maggie van Santen Maggie van Santen

Meet Willow & Banksia

Willow and Baby Banksia's Journey- from poison to recovery, fire to freedom

Mumma Willow fell victim to rodenticide poisoning, a harsh reality for many urban-dwelling animals. Rodenticides, commonly used to control rat populations, contain toxic substances that affect an animal's nervous system, leading to internal bleeding, organ failure, and often, a slow and painful death.

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Maggie van Santen Maggie van Santen

Meet the Western Ringtail Possums

Caring for a ringtail possum is a journey filled with wonder, challenges, and countless moments of heartwarming joy. These nocturnal creatures are native to Australia and are known for their distinctive prehensile tails, which they use to grasp branches as they move through the treetops. When a ringtail possum comes into care, it's often due to unfortunate circumstances such as habitat loss, predation, or injury.

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Maggie van Santen Maggie van Santen

Meet Peppe, Poppe & Peppa,

Caring for a ringtail possum is not just about providing for its physical needs; it's about nurturing a soul and creating memories that will last a lifetime. The experience leaves an indelible mark on your heart, a reminder of the power of love and the profound impact we can have on the lives of the creatures we share this world with.

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Maggie van Santen Maggie van Santen

Meet Hazel

Hazel's story is a testament to the importance of wildlife rehabilitation and the dedication of carers who work tirelessly to give animals like Hazel a second chance. Every effort we make to protect and nurture these precious creatures contributes to the conservation of critically endangered species.

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Maggie van Santen Maggie van Santen

Meet Layla

“A Heartbreaking Farewell: The Story of Layla”

Layla's short but impactful time with me was a testament to resilience and love. Though her life was brief, the joy and connection she brought into my world will never be forgotten. Another precious soul, lost too soon, but forever cherished in my heart.

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Maggie van Santen Maggie van Santen

Meet Chutney

Chutney’s story highlights the importance of ongoing education and awareness in wildlife care. Through sharing Chutney's story, we hope to shed light on the complexities of wildlife rehabilitation and the invaluable lessons it teaches us every day.

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Maggie van Santen Maggie van Santen

Meet Brooks

Brooks the Brushtail Possum: A Joyful Journey of Love and Letting Go

In the world of wildlife rescue, every animal has a story, and Brooks's is one that shines brightly in my heart. At 564 grams he came into my care. He was the first brush tail possum I had ever cared for, and what a joy it was to be his Mumma. Raising Brooks was an absolute delight, filled with precious moments that I will cherish forever.

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Maggie van Santen Maggie van Santen

Meet Pixie

Pixie's story serves as an important reminder to be mindful of items like buckets that may collect water, bird baths, or any other containers where small animals might become trapped. Simple measures such as placing rocks or a stick inside can provide an escape route for these tiny creatures, preventing similar incidents.

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Maggie van Santen Maggie van Santen

Meet Lizzie

A few years, I had the experience of rescuing a bobtail lizard (also known as Tiliqua rugosa or shingleback lizard) from our property. She looked very unwell and was quite cold despite the warm weather.

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Maggie van Santen Maggie van Santen

Meet Charlie

When Charlie first arrived at my home, he was a timid and gentle soul. He had a way of looking at you with those big, expressive eyes that instantly melted your heart. Despite his initial shyness, Charlie quickly became the protector of the mob. His gentle nature made him the perfect companion for the younger joeys, and he took on the role of their protector with such grace and dedication.

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Maggie van Santen Maggie van Santen

Meet Cruz

“A Heartwarming Journey with Cruz”

Caring for Cruz has been a journey filled with immense challenges and profound joy. From a horrific injury to his triumphant recovery, his story is one of resilience, dedication, and love. Join me as I recount the emotional highs and lows of nurturing Cruz back to health and ultimately seeing him thrive in the wild, where he truly belongs. This journey has been a testament to the power of compassion and the unbreakable bond between a caregiver and her beloved joey

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Maggie van Santen Maggie van Santen

Meet Eddi

A Remarkable Echidna Rescue

Eddi came into care after being hit by a 4WD and then a truck. Suffering only a small fracture on her beak, she was on her way again just three days later.

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Maggie van Santen Maggie van Santen

Meet Jaidee & Jola

The heartbreak of Jaidee and Jola

They should have been Jaffa’s BFF, but tragically they lost their lives within 10 days of each other. Jaffa and my journey of healing was long and filled with moments of reflection and tears, but also with the cherished memories of the beautiful times we had with these two precious girls

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