Shingleback - Ready to be released back to wild??

[sharyn]

About four months ago my son found a shingleback hidden in a vege garden. She had a large wound on her front right elbow, her tail was all shrivelled up, all toenails were gone except two and she was very thin. Unfortunately I didn't take any photos as I thought she wouldn't survive the night. She willingly lapped water and after a couple of days started feeding her a couple of woodies. As she got stronger we put her in an outside enclosure and she hasn't looked back. I've included some photos taken yesterday of her shedding and also the areas on her body that were the most injured.

Now I think she might be at the stage of releasing her back to the wild however after all her hard work I don't want to let her go if she's not ready. What do you think?

 

[GeckoJosh]

Has the top of the head not shed or is that just the colour of it?

 

[sharyn]

The head hasn't shed yet

 

[HerperBaz]

poor thing she must have been in a pretty bad way when you found her.

 

[Nezikah]

What an amazing colour!!


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[MathewB]

I say take her to a reptile vet just for a check over

 

[Jeannine]

wow gotta agree what a beautiful colored shingleback

 

[sharyn]

poor thing she must have been in a pretty bad way when you found her.

Not sure whatever attacked her but it must have happened a while ago as the wounds didn't look fresh and her spine was very prominent so it looked like she had hadn't eaten for some time. She's looking much happier now!

What an amazing colour!!

Yes she is beautiful! Certainly wasn't expecting that when she was shedding! Not sure how long the colour lasts!

I say take her to a reptile vet just for a check over

Unfortunately don't have a reptile vet close by - but might take her to a vet anyway and see what they say.

 

[RCW74]

That is a very unusual colour for a shingleback.....good job on the rehabilitation!

 

[-Peter]

Are shinglebacks normally found in your area? If not you should not release it.

 

[dragonlover1]

Are shinglebacks normally found in your area? If not you should not release it.

yeah maybe research areas of local habitat so you can release in preferred locale

 

[jedi_339]

Are shinglebacks normally found in your area? If not you should not release it.

I agree with this sentiment entirely, I wouldn't class South East Queensland as commonly having shinglebacks, but then again it depends how far west you want to extend the limits of South East Queensland.

If you're not west of the range then I'd be looking into other options rather then release

 

[Frozenmouse]

If you're not west of the range then I'd be looking into other options rather then release

Agreed 100% sure it is not an escapee

 

[iskink]

not ready for release

I would not release the poor animal you have done a great job bringing him back from the brink, but he's not ready for release. It's clear to see that he was once dark pigmented and for some reason he has lost his pigmemt either from stress or disease,and you would not what that exposed to other shinglebacks in the wild populations.Also be careful how much sun exposure he receives could possibly burn the new scales, best early morning or late afternoon sunlight. Good luck.

 

[SharynH]

Update

Just wanted to give an update on the Shingleback! I contacted Parks and Wildlife to find out if it was possible to get a licence for him (as it turns out!) however it was near impossible to obtain. The person I spoke to was pleasant however said that I should have let nature take its course. I struggled with that! I then contacted a zoo that was reasonably close by and they were willing to have a look at him and advise whether they thought he would be right to release back to the wild or not. After assessing him they didn't think that he should be released and they contacted Parks (as the zoo has the relevant licence). The shingleback is now happy and safe!