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Our community grants help Squinty get back in the wild

Every year our community grants help support important not-for-profit initiatives, and we love hearing how these grants are making a difference.

While people and the environment benefit from these grants, we have a soft spot for animals, and a special case occurred at the Southern Koala and Echidna Rescue (SKER) in Onkaparinga Hills, SA. The registered charity is run by a professional team of passionate volunteers providing rescue, rehabilitation and veterinary care for injured native animals.

One such native animal is 'Squinty' the echidna.

Squinty required complex surgery to have an eye removed and our grant helped fund a new adjustable veterinary table which was put to the test during Squinty's delicate procedure.

Squinty the echidna undergoing surgery on his eye
Squinty 1

Eligibility criteria and more information can be found on our community grants page.

Thanks to the new table, specialist ophthalmologist Dr Ria Chalder and the team could adjust the height and work comfortably through the tricky operation and treat Squinty with steady hands. When the table was lowered, the team was able to remain focused and work without the fatigue that comes from standing for long periods.

"We are deeply grateful to Alinta Energy for their generous support. This grant has helped us make a practical, lasting improvement to our clinic - one that supports both our hardworking veterinary team and the native animals who rely on us," said SKER.

Squinty spent a moment recovering, but we're happy to share he's now back in the wild without the painful eye. The best part? Echidnas don't rely on perfect vision, so rocking one eye will be more than enough for his future adventures.