The WIRES volunteer and Riverina bat coordinator has always loved nature, but her path to caring for the animals is not straight and it pretty much starts in Tanzania.

"I went and lived in Tanzania for a year in 2011-12. I'd been a carer for my mother and aunt and the tanks were dry and I just wanted to have a bit of a break. My husband and family were very supportive," Ms Pym said.

"So, I went and worked in the marketing department for The School of St Jude in Tanzania, which was an amazing change of life."

After returning to Wagga from Tanzania, Ms Pym was keen to continuing "giving something back".

"I had always been interested in nature, so I inquired about becoming a wildlife carer, did the training and then because I'd been vaccinated against rabies for going over there, the-then bat co-ordinator asked if I would be interested.

"I knew nothing about bats then, except that they were amazing things to watch going over at night. 

"I said 'oh yeah, I'll do the training and see how we go' and I'm amazed at this extraordinary animal that has such a reputation, but is so critical to all our existence.

"The large ones - the flying foxes - are fundamental in the spreading of seeds and pollinating our forests.

"Then the little ones - the micro bats which are everywhere - well, we would drown in insects if it wasn't for them.

"They are pretty special."

Ms Pym admits being a WIRES carer is not for everyone, with a lot of people left saddened by the death of an animal in their care.

There are also strict guidelines as to how the animals are cared for, because the goal is to get the animal ready to be released and able to look after themselves.

"You have to release an animal to survive. You're not going to be there - it's not going to have a nice, safe cage with its meals supplied."

Ms Pym is currently caring for a brush-tail possum, which is being weaned away from any contact with humans at the moment, in preparation for an eventually return to the bush.

In addition to bats and possums, Ms Pym has cared for turtles and the occasional lizard. She is also "babysits" kangaroo joeys sometimes for other WIRES carers.

Each animal, while in her care, is given a Swahili nickname.

While not everyone wants to be a hands-on WIRES carer, Ms Pym said there is still plenty that can be done to help the organisation, from fundraising, to making possum boxes or "pouches" and other bedding to helping with administration at a branch level or talking about the group in the community.