A few weeks ago, Mike and I had the honour of being treated to a behind-the-scenes tour of the incredible Currumbin Wildlife Hospital on the Gold Coast, Queensland. It's an experience we'll carry with us for a long time.
Thanks to the support of Make My Shave customers, a percentage of every purchase goes directly to this not-for-profit organisation and the life-changing work they do for Australia's native wildlife. But seeing it firsthand, walking those corridors, meeting the team and the animals being cared for, brought it to life in a way we didn't quite expect.
Behind the scenes are teams of passionate, dedicated people working tirelessly to treat, rehabilitate and release sick, injured and orphaned native wildlife back into the wild wherever possible. It is extraordinary, quiet, hands-on work — and most of it happens completely unseen.
Currumbin Wildlife Hospital admits around 15,000 wildlife patients every single year. When you witness the hard work, compassion and dedication behind that number, it becomes truly humbling.
During our visit, we met some truly special little patients. We'd love to introduce you to three of them.
The Squirrel Glider
This tiny Squirrel Glider had suffered a torn wing membrane after becoming caught in barbed wire, one of the more common and heartbreaking injuries the hospital sees in these little creatures. Barbed wire fences are a known hazard for Squirrel Gliders, as they can become trapped by their delicate gliding membrane.
Squirrel Gliders are small nocturnal marsupials native to Australia, known for their large dark eyes built for night vision, blue-grey fur with a white underbelly and a distinctive dark stripe running down their back. They have a longer, bushier tail than their close relative the Sugar Glider, and a remarkable membrane of skin that stretches between their front and back legs, allowing them to glide silently between trees under cover of darkness.
This little one was wrapped snugly, burrito-style, in a towel, a technique wildlife carers use to help small animals feel warm, secure and calm during recovery.
The Brisbane Short-necked Turtle
We also met two male freshwater Brisbane Short-necked Turtles that had been washed into seawater after heavy rainfall, leaving them dehydrated and far from their natural habitat. One had suffered fractures to his shell during the ordeal.
The hospital team were carefully rehydrating them, checking their bloods and working to repair the shell damage, giving them the best possible chance of a full recovery and a safe return to the waterways they call home.
It's a reminder of how vulnerable our wildlife can be to extreme weather events, and how vital it is to have dedicated teams ready to respond when nature takes an unexpected turn.
The Rainbow Lorikeet
Perhaps the most humbling encounter of the day was with a beautiful rainbow lorikeet being treated for Lorikeet Paralysis Syndrome - a condition that sadly affects many lorikeets across Queensland, often leaving them unable to fly or even stand without support.
This little one couldn't swallow or blink. The vet was carefully hydrating and feeding him by hand, while lubricating his eyes with a special ophthalmic gel to keep them moist and protected.
The rehabilitation journey for a paralysed lorikeet is extraordinary in its detail and demands. They begin in a warmed intensive care unit, monitored around the clock. Once they regain some mobility and can begin feeding themselves, they move into medium care. From there, they transition into the aviary to rebuild their strength and confidence before eventual release back into the wild.
The entire process requires an enormous amount of hands-on care, patience and expertise. But with intensive treatment, many lorikeets do recover, and return to the skies where they belong.
Walking through Currumbin Wildlife Hospital reminded us just how much unseen work goes into protecting the animals that share this country with us. The team there is doing something remarkable, every single day, with very little fanfare.
We started supporting Currumbin Wildlife Hospital because it felt right: a Gold Coast non-profit doing extraordinary work, right in our backyard. After this visit, that support feels more meaningful than ever.
So from the bottom of our hearts — thank you. Every order placed with Make My Shave helps us contribute to this work. To the community, the environment and the animals that call it home. 💛
To find out more about Currumbin Wildlife Hospital or to support their work directly, visit currumbinwildlifehospital.org.au
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