Aussie Charities Partner to Protect 1,500 hectares of Bush

Posted By : The Animal Facts Editorial Team

Date: July 29, 2021 12:59 am

A planigale is one of the animals which was found during a wildlife survey of the newly protected property

Photo Credit: Aussie Ark

Conservation organizations Aussie Ark, WildArk, Re:wild and Australian Reptile Park have secured 1,500 hectares of pristine bush habitat for protection. The property has been named Mongo Valley Wildlife Sanctuary and will be turned in to a wildlife refuge modelled after Aussie Ark.

The site is situated just 30km from the world heritage listed Mallanganee National Park and 70km from the Richmond Range National Park. This area is one of the most bio-diverse regions in Australia and hosts diverse vegetation communities which can home mammals, birds, reptiles, frogs and invertebrates.

WildArk founder Mark Hutchinson assists with weed removal at the newly protected Mongo Valley Wildlife Sanctuary

Photo Credit: Aussie Ark

“We work within a model of species recovery, the creation of insurance breeding populations, habitat Recovery, the protection and restoration of Australian bush and Rewilding, the returning of species back to their homes” says Tim Faulkner, Aussie Ark President. “The procurement of Mongo Valley Wildlife Sanctuary and its transformation into a wildlife refuge is just another step in the right direction for Australian wildlife. It offers a huge opportunity for wildlife conservation” He continues. 

The successful model at Barrington Wildlife Sanctuary has seen the return to the mainland of Eastern Quoll and the Tasmanian Devil after a long period of absence. Since their arrival the species has seen successful breeding in the wild proving the model of protected sanctuaries.

— AD —

Teams from Wild Ark, Aussie Ark and the Australian Reptile Park have wasted no time visiting the site to conduct wildlife surveys, start weed management and begin planning works for the predator proof fence.

“It’s been wonderful to focus our energy during COVID in our own backyard and help Aussie Ark expand their awesome breeding program with 1,500-hectares of largely intact Australian bush. It’s another step in our partnership and the road to native wildlife recovery on the East Coast.”

“We hope that with the amazing support of Re:wild, all our staff, volunteers, ambassadors and donors, we can continue to acquire land for biodiversity and build a chain of wildlife safe havens across Australia.” Mark Hutchinson, WildArk founder. 

WildArk founder, Mark Hutchinson and Aussie Ark President, Tim Faulkner at the newly protected Mongo Valley Wildlife Sanctuary

Photo Credit: Aussie Ark

With the purchase of the site complete the next step will be to construct the predator proof fence and work to remove predators such as foxes and cats from the site. They will also seek to remove noxious weeds and develop fire management protection to help alleviate the threat of an intense bushfire.

Learn more about Aussie Ark on their website – Aussie Ark