The Bilby is one of Australia’s unique creatures. It is easily recognised by its long, rabbit-like ears, and long soft blue-grey fur. The Bilby once roamed over most of mainland Australia’s semi-arid areas. Today they are found in isolated pockets of central Australia, where only a few thousand remain. This has left the Bilby tentatively balanced on the very edge …
Healesville Sanctuary
As zoos progress from that of menageries to conservation centres, the rationale for keeping animals in captivity has been defined into two categories: Conservation & Research / Education & Recreation Healesville Sanctuary is custodian to one of the remnant vegetation communities left in the Yarra Valley. Surrounded by farms and houses, it has suffered by invasion of weeds and pests. In 1989 …
Wildlife in Captivity
Under no circumstances is it permissible to take native fauna from the wild for the sole purpose of ‘having a pet’. Australia has one of the highest extinction rates of native mammals in the world – nearly 25% of all known species are extinct, endangered or vulnerable. Government funding is limited, public institutions often have their hands unwillingly tied behind their …