 |
 |
MEDIA RELEASE
Rescue Funding for Rare Wallabies
Central Coast based Waterfall Springs Conservation Association (WSCA) has received a major funding boost from the Australian Government Envirofund securing $41,300 in funding for its innovative breeding program for rare and endangered Brush-tailed Rock-wallabies.
The announcement was welcomed by the Associations Chairman Lloyd Oldfield who founded the Waterfall Springs Wildlife Sanctuary over 10 years ago.
Located on private property in Kulnura, WSCA conducts conservation programs for three populations of endangered Brush-tailed Rock-wallabies.
Mr Oldfield said the funding would be used to assist with the management costs of breeding, rearing and keeping its NSW and Victorian brush-tail rock-wallaby species which are listed as endangered in NSW and critically endangered of extinction in Victoria.
He said the NSW or ‘central form’ species that were once common around Sydney and the Blue Mountains have almost disappeared from their former range whilst the situation for the ‘southern form’ wallabies was so critical less than twenty now remain in the wild in Victoria.
“We support the national recovery of the species by facilitating managed breeding programs aimed at generating sufficient new animal numbers to provide for eventual release” Mr Oldfield said.
“Once matured, the successfully bred offspring will be safely reintroduced into safe wild habitats by the NSW Department of Environment and Conservation Threatened Species Unit and the Victorian Brush-tail Rock-wallaby Recovery Team” he said.
One of only four organisations to specialise in the breeding of rock-wallabies, the WSCA has invested significant financial and volunteer resources into constructing over 30 purpose built enclosures that replicate as closely as possible the natural habitats of the rock-wallaby.
Mr Oldfield said he was thrilled to have received the funding having relied solely on the support from private and corporate donations and many hours of dedicated voluntary labour.
Envirofund is the local component of the Australian Government’s $3 billion Natural Heritage Trust. It funds projects that deliver significant environmental and conservation benefits that safeguard Australia’s natural resources.
Excellent Photo Opportunity Available
1. Close Up of Hand Raised Brush-tailed Rock Wallaby Joey.
2. Waterfall Springs takes Brush-tailed Rock Wallaby Joey to visit program sponsors the Gumnut Environmental Club at Pine Needles Lifestyle Village – Thurs 6th Aug 11am.
Media contact: Sanctuary Veterinary Manager Celia Thomson on 0412 559 273
Back to TOP
© 2007 Waterfall Springs Wildlife Sanctuary