“The Wildlife Refugees” highlights the determination of individuals and communities working to protect their local wildlife and nature corridors from the profound impact of urban development.
Canberra wildlife is being displaced, killed by cars as they search for new habitats, attacked by our pets, and buried under concrete by construction. Through intimate conversations with wildlife rescuers and carers, ecologists, and concerned members of the community, “The Wildlife Refugees” shows how local wildlife volunteers for ACT Wildlife, Wombat Rescue, and ACT Snake Removals pay the emotional, physical, and financial burden of picking up the pieces of the mess we make.
Grappling with the complexity of wildlife needs, housing needs, and economic needs, we examine the role that government, developers, and builders play in the city’s expansion. We follow ACT Wildlife as they advocate for a dedicated wildlife hospital to help with the added toll of injured and displaced wildlife and speak with the owners of two development companies, Molonglo about their adaptable reuse project “Dairy Road”, and Riverview – who collaborate with Wombat Rescue Canberra and ACT Snake Removals and are committed to creating a better future for our native wildlife and future generations.
What effect does wildlife interaction have on the human spirit? What steps must we take in order for all newly built suburbs to collaborate with wildlife experts prior to and during construction? Will the Suburban Land Agency embrace the koala that was just sighted at their new building site of Jacka? How can we achieve a future of coexistence with wildlife and the natural world as we house the growing population? We must re-imagine our place in a more-than-human world.
Concerned members of the community stress the urgent need for change as Australia faces an extinction crisis, and the potential of Canberra to set a global example in urban wildlife preservation through its conservation measures.
