Beach Energy Grant
Beach Energy are supporting Conservation Ark with a 3 year grant
Beach Energy are supporting Conservation Ark with $100 000 a year for 3 years.
This money is specifically used for conservation programs in South Australia.
Supporting staff positions
The money has enabled Conservation Ark to employ Briony Horner as a Conservation Officer. Briony is developing biodiversity monitoring programs at Monarto Zoo, as well as looking at ways to enhance the native vegetation at the site. She will also be running training courses for students, conservation professionals and members of the public who are interested in learning important field biology skills.
Additionally, the Beach Enenrgy Grant has enabled Conservation Ark to support 2 other Conservation Officer positions.
Dr Elisa Sparrow is developing "Wombat Muster" - a unique science and conservation experience, allowing members of the public the chance to join a real conservation field expedition and collect data on the iconic southern hairy-nosed wombat.
Dr Liz Campbell is developing ways to make the information about research and conservation more accessible, both for staff at the zoo, but also for partners and members of the public.
The Beach Energy grant has supported the construction of new warru enclosures at Monarto Zoo
Warru captive breeding
The Beach Energy Grant has also enabled Conservation Ark to expand their facilities for housing the captive breeding population of Warru (Black-flanked rock-wallaby).
Warru are the most endangered mammal in South Australia, and Conservation Ark are involved in the recovery team efforts to save the populations in the APY lands. This has involved developing a captive population for breeding to enable reintroductions of large numbers of animals make into the wild.
By increasing the number of pens available for holding the Warru at the zoo, more individuals can be bred, meaning that a larger population can be returned to the wild. The first lot of animals will be taken to their new home in the APY lands later this year.