Dudley Zoo to hold fundraising day in aid of Australia bushfires
Keepers at Dudley Zoo are pledging to help the wildlife victims of the Australian bushfires by holding a fundraising event this Australia Day.
Staff at the Dudley attraction will be raising funds on Sunday, January 26 through Australian-themed games and activities in the Discovery Centre and sales of nectar pots for its Australian-native rainbow lorikeets.
They will also be donating half of the day’s takings on the entrance to Zoos Victoria’s Bushfire Emergency Wildlife fund, which is helping provide expert veterinary care for impacted wildlife.
DZC conservation officer Chris Leeson said: "We’ve all been moved by the distressing images coming out of Australia and our thoughts are with everyone affected.
"As a wildlife conservation organisation we are also incredibly troubled by the millions of animals suffering because of these bushfires, including critically endangered species.
"It’s estimated around 500 million animals have perished so far and the bushfires are threatening to wipe out entire species and habitats, which is a frightening thought and staff at DZC were keen to do something to help.
"We have a variety of Australian species here at DZC including wallabies, lorikeets, kookaburras and bearded lizards so we’d encourage visitors to come and join us on the day and learn more, while helping us raise money for this worthwhile cause.”
Zoos Victoria is a not-for-profit organisation, made up of three Australian zoos – Healesville Sanctuary, Melbourne Zoo and Werribee Open Range Zoo – with funds going towards long-term care for bushfire impacted animals including endangered species, such as supplementary feeding and habitat restoration in conjunction with the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning, Parks Victoria and associated recovery teams.
