Wilsie Ower is the owner of Springvale, a property located in Big Springs, approximately 25km South of Wagga Wagga, New South Wales. The property was purchased with the intent of being a dedicated wildlife sanctuary and to be used for wildlife rehabilitation. Springvale is protected from development through rural zoning, meaning that subdivision is limited to 100 acres.
The sanctuary covers 40.45 hectares of which much is native vegetation and grasslands. Predominant tree species include grey ironbarks (Eucalyptus paniculata), ghost gums (Corymbia aparrerinja), weeping gums (Eucalyptus caesia) and many other eucalypts.
Wildlife species known to be present on the property include eastern grey kangaroos (Macropus giganteus), short-beaked echidnas (Tachyglossus aculeatus), frill-necked lizards (Chlamydosaurus kingii), lace monitors (Varanus varius) and brushtail (Trichosurus vulpecula) and ringtail (Pseudocheirus peregrinus) possums. A wide range of bird species are abundant and include magpies (Cracticus tibicen), laughing kookaburras (Dacelo novaeguineae), crimson (Platycercus elegans) and eastern (Platycercus eximus) rosellas, superb fairy-wrens (Malurus cyaneus), parrots, doves and finches. The area has been under severe drought for close to a decade, and the resident bird life has been supported through Wilsie providing seed. Although conditions are now improving it may be some time before she is able to cease this assistance.
