18th July 2012

In a dramatic back peddle, the Healesville Sanctuary near Melbourne has denied media statements that it planned to slaughter countless swamp wallabies at its Coranderrk Bushland in Healesville. Last week Channel Seven interviewed sanctuary manager Glen Holland who confirmed that the sanctuary planned to kill swamp wallabies as part of their ‘restoration program’ at the rare bushland reserve. However, the TV report created a massive backlash, with the sanctuary receiving hundreds of calls and emails from the public expressing outrage for the proposal. The sanctuary was then forced to contact distressed residents by phone and email and retract their original statement.

Australian Society for Kangaroos President Nikki Sutterby said today:

“Many ASK members and supporters who wrote to the sanctuary expressing distress at their plans to kill native swamp wallabies received emails and phone calls from the sanctuary the following day stating that they would not be killing any wallabies. The manager was worried by the response and went into damage control to counteract the claims. We believe they did have the plan to kill wallabies but retracted their statement in response to the community reaction.”

You can view the news report here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0OjhYZDFxTY&feature=youtube_gdata_player

Download the Press Release pdf file here.