Bilbies not bunnies is the message from the Ipswich Nature Centre and one young Ipswich homeowner this Easter.
Bilbies stay categorized as a susceptible types with just about 10,000 left in remote parts of Australia.
Mikaela Van Haren, 13, from Springfield Lakes, raised $1565.30 through the Containers for Change bottles and cans exchange program, bake sales, car washes and even offering her toys.
She connected to the Ipswich Nature Centre, which has actually effectively reproduced bilbies, to help her contact the Save the Bilby Fund to make a contribution.
Mikaela began fundraising after the 2019 bushfires when she saw a lot of animals that required help after losing their houses.
“I felt gutted and I needed to do something to help,” she said.
“I attempt to help those animals that are most at threat, particularly those that aren’t truly discussed. I’ve constantly enjoyed the bilby and it appears unjust they are just remembered at Easter.
“I love knowing I am making a difference, even if I am only helping one animal – it makes it all worthwhile.”
Mikaela contributed the money to the Save The Bilby Fund on Tuesday, 4 April, at council’s just recently reconditioned Queens Park Environmental Education Centre.
Councillor Russell Milligan said Mikaela was a motivation.
“The Ipswich Nature Centre has a long-standing history of raising awareness of the plight of the bilby and has bred bilbies successfully in the past, most recently in 2018 when a male was born and in 2017 when female triplets were born,” Cr Milligan said.
“These bilbies went on to be launched at the Australian Wildlife Conservancy at Mt Gibson.
“The Ipswich Nature Centre is an excellent location to discover Australia’s special wildlife that has actually been so inspiring for Mikaela – we want to influence other homeowners to support our native wildlife in whatever method they can.
“We’re very fortunate to not only have bilbies, but dingoes, emus, kangaroos and many other native flora and fauna, in the heart of Ipswich right here in Queens Park.”
Save The Bilby Fund director Al Mucci accepted the contribution from Mikaela and thanked her for her effort.
“We really depend on individuals across Australia just doing their little part to help save the bilbies,” Mr Mucci said.
“Mikaela’s efforts will go towards jobs at our Charleville Breeding Facility and assisting the bilby population in Currawinya National Park, where a population study a year ago approximated a population of 450, which is terrific news for the healing of the types.
“Bilbies are only found in small areas of the Northern Territory, Western Australia and Queensland, so this Easter, please remember bilbies not bunnies.”
Through Save the Bilby Fund, the Queensland Government, and the ZAA Species Management Program, bilbies are being launched into 13 fenced websites throughout Australia.
Bilbies are among the fastest breeding mammals in the world with a 12 to 2 week pregnancy, however their survival in the wild is delicate, primarily due to presented predators.
Ipswich Nature Centre at Queens Park is open 7 days a week throughout the school vacations from 9.30am to 4pm.
