In the light of the recent reports into wildlife extinction in Australia, Pearl Beach resident Dr Van Davy has forwarded a proposal to create a so-called ‘Mega-Sanctuary’ across large parts of the Central Coast to incoming Federal Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek and NSW Treasurer Matt Kean.
The proposal is largely based upon successful fenced sanctuaries already in operation around Australia, including Calga’s Walkabout Wildlife Park and several sanctuaries operated by Australian Wildlife Conservancy across the country.
This month’s State of the Environment review into Australia’s wildlife species highlights the dire situation many native animals and plants face in the coming years.
The review written by scientists in 2021 was held back by the previous government until after the federal election.
The report found significant changes in numerous Australian ecosystems over the past five years, with at least 19 showing signs of collapse or near collapse after recent droughts and fires, as well as an increase in invasive species, land clearing and mining within endangered ecosystems.
Davy said that the current set of measures was failing and that his preliminary research into fenced sanctuaries and found they are incredibly successful in preserving and regenerating wildlife and natural ecosystems.
“You only have to take a quick visit to the privately built Calga Wildlife Sanctuary to see the incredible variety of animals and plants that thrive there,” said Dr Davy.
“My proposal is much more ambitious in size as it would involve many 100s of kilometres of fencing, the systematic eradication of foxes and cats along with sizable management, research and service capacity.
In his proposal to the Ministers Dr Davy writes:
“The goal I seek is construction, over time, in phases, of a fenced, well-staffed & scientifically led, fire-managed, indigenous influenced, feral-free mega-sanctuary for Australian flora & fauna … comprising abutting National Parks which surround the Sydney Basin.’
His proposal incorporates almost all of the existing National Parks west of the M1 on the Central Coast stretching all the way to the Blue Mountains.
In his submission, Davy refers to work done already in this area by privately funded groups such as the Australian Wildlife Conservatory which manages more cat- and fox-free land than any other organisation on mainland Australia, including five of the six largest fenced areas.
It is not only private organisations that are building such sanctuaries.
In Dr Davy’s submission, he discusses the recent decision by the Victorian Government to build a mega sanctuary of 60,000 hectares at the Wilson’s Promontory National Park.
“Fenced sanctuaries have also become a significant part of New Zealand’s wildlife conservation efforts over the last decade with large fences successfully protecting endangered species across the north and south islands.”
Dr Davy admits that such a mega-sanctuary would be a major undertaking and take many years to build, though he also points to the enormous cultural and economic opportunities such a project would present, not only in tourism, research and management but in engaging generations of Australians to work hard for the Australian environment.
David Abrahams
That’s very honorable
” Dr Van Davey “JULY 29, 2022 (In the light of the recent reports into wildlife extinction in Australia”}, but would you give up your land in Pearl Beach to support a ‘mega sanctuary”?
Great to see the vision of Dr Davy’s mega sanctuary proposal. If we are going to see a positive turnaround in the Australian environment it’s going to take vision like this.
Large scale fenced sanctuaries are a basic technical approach to protect native species and exclude invasive species!