Wombat warrior John Harris nominated for Pride of Australia Award for waging war against sarcoptic mange
JOHN Harris says he’s proud to be the “friendly face” of Tasmania’s stricken wombats as he continues to fight to the scourge of sarcoptic mange.
Tasmania
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JOHN Harris says he’s proud to be the “friendly face” of stricken wombats as he continues to fight to the scourge of sarcoptic mange.
Mr Harris, from Kelso in northern Tasmania, was part of the first group of community volunteers who started treating infected wombats in the wild.
The group has also gained permits to build sanctuaries to isolate healthy wombats from the infected population.
Since then Wombat Warriors and Wombat Rescue Tasmania have brought about a change in the State Government’s stance on the wombats’ plight.
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They obtained funding to help fight the epidemic and for more research to be conducted into the spread of the disease.
They have also rallied on Parliament House lawns to call for more action to stop healthy wombats from being shot by landowners.
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In October, a 33,000-signature petition asking the Government to stop issuing culling permits was delivered.
The wombats’ plight came to public attention last year when it was reported that more than 90 per cent of the once-abundant population at Narawantapu National Park had died from the disease.
Mange has now spread to wombat populations across the state.
Mr Harris has been nominated for a Pride of Australia medal for his role in the campaign to stop the wombat from heading down the same path as the Tasmanian tiger.
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“There are many, many people involved in campaign but we did need a public face to push the cause and it was a role I happily accepted,” Mr Harris said today.
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“The real work is being done by a group of incredible volunteers right around Tasmania but I am proud to be the friendly face of mangy wombats and will keep fighting.
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“The Government still will not acknowledge it is a statewide epidemic. But mange is now impacting wombats on Hobart’s doorstep, so that might change.”
Do you know a local hero who deserves to be recognised? Nominate them now at pride ofaustralia.com.au
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