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Progress Report - September 2008
WATERFALL SPRINGS CONSERVATION ASSOCIATION INC
Prepared by Karen O’Mara
September 30 2008
Introduction
The last 6 months have been full of activity at Waterfall Springs and we are pleased to be able to provide you with an update on the progress and achievements with our Central and Southern ESU Brush-tailed Rock-wallaby (BTRW) Breeding Programs.
Celia Thomson, Waterfall Springs Captive Mammal Coordinator, has taken on the position of Sanctuary Manager and is now responsible for the daily operation and management of the Sanctuary. Lloyd Oldfield maintains his position as the Chairman of the Board of the Waterfall Springs Foundation and is still very much involved with the conducting of the recovery program.
We continue to achieve successful results from our breeding programs with the female BTRW from the Central program now well into producing their second offspring. A meeting scheduled with the NSW Captive Management Team should provide the updated status of the NSW BTRW Recovery Plan including the implementation of the first trial releases and the target objectives for Waterfall Springs in regards to generating and sustaining the captive population numbers required to support the NSW DECC reintroduction program.
Breeding from our Southern BTRW program is temporarily suspended due to the loss of our sole male from an unknown cause. However we are eagerly awaiting the arrival of a new male from Healesville Sanctuary (who have recently withdrawn from the recovery program) and are looking forward to producing some new joeys and furthering our involvement with the Victorian BTRW Recovery Team. This very much depends on our ability to attract further investment to improve and expand our Victorian facilities which are currently operating at capacity.
A mutually beneficial arrangement with Ipswich Nature Reserve has been secured which involves the provision of animals from our Kawau Island group for display on a lease agreement. This comprises a financial, interpretive signage and promotional commitment. Similar arrangements with other animal establishments are currently being negotiated.
We have had mixed success with our funding applications that continues to hold up much needed capital works including the fit-out of the multi purpose “Research and Conservation Centre” as well as the construction of new enclosures and facilities including power supply to support the expansion of the breeding programs. The priority objective for Waterfall Springs now is to secure essential corporate sponsorship and private monies to fund these urgent works.
And finally we have continued our commitment to generate public awareness about the plight of the brush-tailed rock-wallaby through the media, local communication bulletins and the Central Coast environment network. This has enabled us to build community awareness about the work of Waterfall Springs and it is hoped the increased publicity will help to attract new sponsorship opportunities.
News In Brief
- Successful breeding of ‘Central’ ESU BTRW’s has increased the Waterfall Springs population to 18 + 7 known pouch young.
- Successful breeding of Kawau Island population has increased the population at Waterfall Springs to 24 + 10 known pouch young.
- Captive female population of Yellow-footed Rock-wallabies has increased to 17.
- Castrated Kawau Island group males provided to Ipswich Nature Reserve for display on a lease agreement including two-way promotional endorsement.
- In June of 2007 our first 2 successful joeys were born into our Victorian program - 1 female and 1 male. Although the male joey survived the transfer to the veterinary team at Adelaide Zoo, it unfortunately died as a result of an unsuccessful cross foster attempt on arrival.
- The female joey raised by her mother at Waterfall Springs was successfully transferred to Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve in Canberra at twelve months old. The joey has adapted well to her pre release environment and is earmarked for reintroduction early next year by the Victorian Recovery Team.
- A second female joey bred at Waterfall Springs in May 2008 was transported to Adelaide Zoo on June 9 2008 and underwent a successful cross foster procedure into the pouch of a surrogate Yellow-footed Rock-wallaby. The surrogate mother is one of the captive population being held at the Waite Institute Adelaide and the brush-tailed joey is healthy and thriving.
- Waterfall Springs holds a population of 17 Yellow-footed Rock-wallabies that are considered an excellent species match for the surrogate program and positions us an ideal facility to further our involvement with Southern breeding program. Our objective in the next 6 months is to complete the upgrade of our Victorian facilities and perform our first cross foster on-site at Waterfall Springs.
- Our Victorian BTRW breeding program has received a valuable boost in funding from the sponsorship provided by the ERM Foundation Australia.
Funding and Sponsorship
- Sponsorship of $8,000 secured from ERM Australia for the ‘Southern’ ESU breeding program.
- $2,300 secured from Grants for Voluntary Environment and Heritage Organisations.
- Submission of proposal Newcastle Permanent Charitable Foundation unsuccessful.
- Grant application to the Foundation for National Parks and Wildlife approved and awaiting funding. Funding is for monies to install security gates and construct a gatehouse.
- Grant application to Environmental Trust and James Kirby Foundation in process – pending outcome.
- Sponsorship proposal to Australian Geographic and NRMA submitted and pending outcome.
- Comprehensive application to the Australian Government Regional Partnerships Program for extensive infrastructure improvements and upgrades became unviable due to the termination of the program by the newly appointed Federal Government.
- Funding proposal to Victorian Recovery Team for monies to improve the Victorian program facilities submitted and pending outcome.
- Sponsorship proposals sent to providers of solar power pending outcome.
PR and Promotions
April 2008
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Waterfall Springs featured in story by the ABC 7.30 report "Climate change threatens the extinction of Australian mammals") |
June 2008
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Launch of Waterfall Springs’ new website www.waterfallsprings.com.au |
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Feature article in Mangrove Mountain community news |
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Central Coast Advocate published story and picture (see attached) |
July 2008
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E-News promotion for Waterfall Springs Adopt a Wallaby Program conducted throughout Central Coast schools through Rumbalara Environment Education Centre |
August 2008
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Feature article in Mangrove Mountain Community News |
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Waterfall Springs multi media CD designed and produced by Sonflare Design Works for use to attract sponsorship / partnerships and be used as an aid to support presentations, trade show displays, education seminars etc |
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Waterfall Springs promotional posters produced by Planet Press Enviroprint |
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Waterfall Springs promotional collateral provided for distribution to participants at the 2008 World Youth Rock Climbing Championships. Waterfall Springs promoted as a major partner of the championships via the Sports Climbing Australia website and on–site at the event |
Sept 2008
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Feature article in Central Coast Community Environment Network Newsletter |
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Central Coast Advocate published story and picture (see attached) |
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Photo shoot and interview conducted with Sunday Telegraph but not published |
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Tuesday Sept 2 feature story on NBN news (see attached link) http://www.nbntv.com.au/index.php/2008/09/01/locally-bred-joeys-set-to-save-endangered-species/ |
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Threatened Species Week School promotion - posters and information delivered to select Central Coast Schools |
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Presentation on Threatened Species and the work of Waterfall Springs at the Central Coast Community Environment Network networking night Thurs 18 Sept including show of hand raised brush-tailed rock-wallaby joey |
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Approach to 60 minutes producer raised interest and pending further story material for consideration |
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Presentation to Everglades Probus Club scheduled October 22 |
Waterfall Springs Public Exhibition Day
Waterfall Springs hosted its first public exhibition day on Sept 13 as part of National Threatened Species Week. Although the event was postponed from Sept 6 due to inclement weather resulting in several booking cancellations, 30 people visited throughout the day and the feedback has been extremely positive. Activities included hosted tours, audio presentation and bbq. Several visitors joined the Waterfall Springs Conservation Association Membership and other helpful contacts were made for follow-up.
The event was promoted by Gosford City Council through its Community News Corner and Green Living Campaign, The Community Environment Network, The Express Advocate Agenda and Editorial and via the Waterfall Springs website.
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| Southern ESU BTRW joey from Waterfall Springs Being placed in pouch of surrogate Yellow-footed Rock-wallaby at Adelaide Zoo | Central ESU Brush-tailed Rock-wallaby at Waterfall Springs – photo by Gerry Pearce |
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© 2007 Waterfall Springs Wildlife Sanctuary