Environment and Climate Change Minister Gavin Jennings with orphaned koala Georgia and wildlife carer Liz Gibbons. Picture: Monique EbringtonBy Monique Ebrington
VICTORIA’S Environment and Climate Change Minister Gavin Jennings has made his first visit to Healesville Sanctuary since being appointed to the position.
Mr Jennings received an overview of Healesville Sanctuary’s threatened species breeding programs.
This was a timely visit, as this month Federal Environment Minister Peter Garrett added 18 new species to the national threatened species list.
After seeing the Pygmy Possums in the sanctuary and speaking to keepers, Mr Jennings said that Healesville Sanctuary was playing a positive role in actively keeping animals off the threatened species list.
“I’ve been very happy at what I’ve seen today with the variety of skills Healesville people are bringing to the breeding programs. I’ve seen a great ability to keep our native animals alive,” Mr Jennings said.
Mr Jennings also had a tour of the Australian Wildlife Health Centre at Healesville Sanctuary where he had a special visit from an orphaned baby koala who took a shine to Mr Jennings’ shirt.
Named Georgia, the koala cub broke its leg in the fall out of a tree in Warrnambool. The fall left its mother with fatal head injuries and the cub has been bottle-fed by staff since being brought to the Healesville Sanctuary.
“Healesville Sanctuary has a world-class and very important medical care program for injured wildlife. It’s a very important facility for both wild and captive animals,” Mr Jennings said.
