Australian Seabird Rescue 

Australian Seabird Rescue was established at Ballina, New South Wales in 1992, following the rescue of a pelican hooked in fishing tackle. Since that time, ASR volunteers have been involved in the rescue and rehabilitation of seabirds and shorebirds, marine turtles, and to date, have rescued over 1000 Australian Pelicans.

In almost all human-populated estuaries, at some time, every pelican is at risk of becoming entangled or hooked in fishing tackle. ASR volunteers developed techniques for capturing pelicans and many other species of birds, even those, which still had the ability to fly.

The team embarked on training missions across the country, passing on their hard-won knowledge to other wildlife rescue groups and Government agencies involved in the conservation of the many native species. ASR’s efforts were recognised at the inaugural Landcare Awards where the volunteers were awarded the National Community Coastcare Award.

Through the years, the team documented their work, culminating in the production of the book, ‘Rescuing the Australian Pelican’. The book has been described as ‘the definitive guide to the rescue and rehabilitation of seabirds and pelicans’.

In 2004, The Tony and Lisette Lewis Foundation, through their WildlifeLink program, acquired a wonderful riverfront property on North Creek on the outskirts of Ballina - “WildlifeLink Sanctuary” - home of ASR.

The sanctuary has been developed into ASR’s rescue and rehabilitation facility. The facility incorporates an education and discovery centre at which hundreds of school students and special interest and community groups, including overseas visitors, have benefited from ASR’s awareness and technical lectures. A sea turtle hospital has been erected on the site.

University students studying environmental and marine sciences are welcome interns at the centre.