News
23 July, 2024
Wildlife day delight
Local conservation group Care4esK held their annual Community Wildlife Information Day in Esk on Saturday, July 20.
The day included a variety of species’ topics, presented by experts from their fields of knowledge.
Care4esK President Darren Bate said the day was a great success, with the venue filled, and a heartening enthusiasm for precious native wildlife emanating from all involved.
Representatives from the University of the Sunshine Coast’s Detection Dogs for Conservation team, the University of Southern Queensland, and the University of Queensland were amongst the guest speakers, discussing their current and upcoming work, including collaborations with Care4esK.
Endangered Greater Gliders have recently been recorded in the Somerset Region. Friends of Parks Queensland spoke of their plight as a species, and the importance of Citizen Science in the community.
Martin Fingland from Geckoes Wildlife brought along a wonderful selection of fauna, to inform attendees of the variety of animals found across the Somerset Region.
Birdlife Southern Queensland’s Andrew Dinwoodie gave everyone an insight to our vulnerable Powerful Owl, and how to locate them in the bush.
Local rescuer and carer Petrina Paidel from Somerset Sanctuary brought several in-care joeys and closed the day, with her heartfelt stories.
The packed program was interspersed with multiple free lucky prize draws and ticketed raffles, all of which had been generously donated by local businesses and individuals.
Somerset Mayor Jason Wendt and all Councillors were in attendance across various times of the day, with the Federal Member for Blair, Shayne Neumann, arriving for the afternoon session.
This year, the addition of several food vans and market stalls added to the ambience of the winter’s day across the grounds of the venue.
Care4esK thanked Somerset Regional Council for their support through the Community Assistance Grants program.
Preparations for next year’s event are already underway.
