State Member for Currumbin, Jann Stuckey MP is throwing her support behind National Koala Day at Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary on today when she officially names a koala joey.
Ms Stuckey was the successful bidder for the opportunity to name the female joey at a corporate fundraising event earlier in the year to raise funds for the Currumbin Community Wildlife Hospital.
The koala will be named Yani Colleen. Yani is an aboriginal word for peace and Colleen, meaning young female, is the name of Ms Stuckey’s late mother who passed away when Ms Stuckey was a teenager.
“There is no doubt our koala population is under threat as a result of rapid urbanisation and development in south-east Queensland and I am keen to do what I can to raise awareness to protect this unique Australian marsupial,” said Ms Stuckey
“The recent opening of the much needed state-of-the-art Wildlife Hospital has placed the spotlight on the plight of our native animals and creatures who are subjected to increasing danger with human encroachment into their shrinking habitats.
“These vulnerable animals are fighting to survive and I urge all residents to get behind the campaign by koala advocacy groups to make sure our councils and state government take steps to safeguard their habitats.
“I have noticed a reduction in the number of koalas in my own acreage neighbourhood where it was not uncommon to see them. Most nights I hear a lonely male koala grunting out his mating call to no avail.
“This is not surprising when figures reveal a 20-fold increase of wild koalas requiring medical attention in the past eight years. Figures also reveal a huge increase of injured native animals being brought to the hospital with over 4,500 needing treatment in the past year alone.
“The fact the State Government has not given a single cent of funding to either the new Community Wildlife Hospital or the Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary is shameful. I shall continue to lobby for funding for these precious facilities which are treasured by people far and wide. “
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Contact Jann Stuckey 0439 755919