The Wildlife Refugees

Canberra Wildlife is declining due to poorly regulated urban development. We must proactively create and mandate regulations for developers that don’t understand the impact they cause to native wildlife before more species are added to the endangered list. Wombat Rescuer Yolandi talks about Denman’s Prospect suburb, reporting that wombats have been killed and displaced during construction . She is raising money to buy land for a wombat sanctuary. Brown Snake Rescuer Gavin talks about snakes that can’t find food, water, or a mate after relocation. He started the first snake tracking project involving drones and community members to track relocated snakes. ACT Wildlife founder Marg loses sleep in the winter worrying about hibernating reptiles and echidnas being paved over as construction continues in the cold winter months. ACT Wildlife receives 12,000 calls a year; the increase in rescues affecting the mental health of volunteers. They campaign for a dedicated wildlife hospital.

Native wildlife populations in Canberra are steadily declining. Gang Gang Cockatoo, Koala, Canberra Grassland Earless Dragon are all on the endangered species list, and wombats could soon follow due to the rate of habitat loss and mange. Wildlife and wildlife rescuers have been under pressure to assist as wildlife habitat disappears and more suburbs and luxury condos are built. We must place stronger regulations on developers who are focused on economical gain. Because a wildlife rescue database isn’t capable of census data we need to record oral stories and histories of Canberran wildlife before it is too late.

Short-term
● generate empathy for the wildlife in Canberra that we take for granted
● remove social license for the continuing decline of wildlife
● encourage volunteering and donating to Canberran Wildlife Groups
● encourage viewers to be more responsible with their pets and personal living choices

Medium-term
● funding for a dedicated wildlife hospital in Canberra.
● influence the October 2024 elections in Canberra

Long-term
● We want this documentary to initiate developer regulations such as:
o inspections by a wildlife expert before breaking ground
o consulting with a wildlife expert during construction
o creating habitat when destroying habitat
● Influence wildlife and development policies of neighboring jurisdictions
● Show international viewers the strength of communities to instigate change

The Applicant is currently on the committee of the wildlife rescue organization ACT Wildlife.

The feature length film will be made available for people to host screenings in their local communities. To accompany these, we will put together small e- kits/flyers which outline actions people can take after viewing the film – eg. setting up wildlife friendly environment in their backyards, donating to rescue orgs, signing petition.

A shorter version of the documentary (10-15 mins) will be shared widely online and through social networks. It’s purpose is to drive fundraising/campaigning for a dedicated wildlife veterinary service in ACT.

Other short videos and trailers can be shared through Youtube, Instagram and other social channels to drive audience towards the film. Educational outtakes from the interviews, can also be shared on our website, if people would like to learn more about a specific topic, for instance, the impact of Mange on wombats.

Our call to action will be for viewers to:
● stop taking wildlife for granted
● pull over when seeing wildlife by the side of the road, donate time to their local wildlife rescue organisations
● remove social license for the slow decline of wildlife habitat due to irresponsible urban development
● vote for a government that supports wildlife conservation