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WIRES launches its first wildlife rehabilitation centre - Mullyang

Wednesday, April 30, 2025

WIRES’ purchase of the Fitzroy Falls site is the first of its kind for the organisation. This critical acquisition secures long-term access to a best-practice facility for wildlife, which is desperately needed to better manage the high-volumes of native animals in need of care annually. WIRES ownership of the site will also ensure that remaining habitat and wild populations of native species on the site are protected.

"The centre would not exist without the vision, passion and determination of Peggy McDonald OAM CF, the original founder of Higher Ground Raptor Centre." stated Leanne Taylor, WIRES CEO. "We are also deeply grateful to the Topham Family and the estate of the late Jeanette Kitto without whose kind donations WIRES would not have been able to bring the centre to the standard it needs to be to provide best-in-class raptor care."

WIRES consulted with the local Aboriginal Gundungurra elder, Kazan Brown, to name the facility. The centre will now be called Mullyang, which is the Gundungurra name for Wedge-tailed Eagle.

Mullyang has undergone an extensive range of essential maintenance and upgrades over recent months, and the centre opened for some special guests on Tuesday 29th April. WIRES received 1,737 calls for raptor rescue and assistance in the last financial year, and this asset will be invaluable for birds of prey, WIRES volunteers, and the broader sector.

Peggy McDonald OAM CF was disappointed to not be able to attend in person but she shared some words, "I'm incredibly grateful to Leanne and the WIRES board for taking on the facility and giving it a new lease on life. May Mullyang see many more magnificent birds be released back into their wild home in a state that enables them to live long and productive lives."