None more so than koalas, with numbers rapidly decreasing due to the species’ battle with a sarcoptic mange (scabies) outbreak, while having to fight to survive raging blazes.
Dutch Thunder Wildlife Shelter, an organisation whose priorities lie within animal rescue, is hosting a Save Our Koalas festival and exhibition in attempt to provide information to the public about endangerment which the marsupial faces.
“We want to make our community, as well as campers who are in the area, aware of the threats to koalas during this time,” Dutch Thunder Wildlife Shelter owner Kylee Donkers said.
On this Saturday at Cobram’s Thompsons Beach from 10 am to 4 pm, some of the attractions at the festival will include a barbecue, children's activities, wildlife information stalls, giveaways, while a certain koala mascot set to make an appearance, and it is all free.
Featuring some of the attractions from the festival, an exhibition is on at Koonoomoo’s Big Strawberry until tomorrow, from 10 am to 4 pm.
Visiting Koonoomoo is Libby Fisher, 14, from Libby’s Koala and Wildlife Crusade, who will look to inspire other young people with her conservation message.
Both events from the Save Our Koalas initiative are funded by the Pick My Project, the Victorian Government-funded grant, which has helped the organisation gain access to vital tools to widen the project’s scope immensely.
From being able to buy an education trailer to use at wildlife sessions and public events, a cherry picker to aid with koala rescues and koala food collection and build a koala quarantine centre which is under construction, the grant has allowed for enhanced rescue attempts and stronger community engagement.
The organisation is inundated with average daily rescues hovering between 15 to 20 koalas and Mrs Donkers urged the public to remain vigilant and be on the lookout for any animals in danger.
“The community as well campers have been fantastic in putting out water for the animals, so big thumbs up to Koonoomoo and surrounding areas,” she said.
For information on the exhibition or festival, contact Kylee Donkers on 0417 560 910 or visit the Dutch Thunder Wildlife Shelter Facebook page at www.facebook.com/DutchThunderWildlifeShelter/
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