New partnership saves vulnerable Aussie animals

THE Squirrel Glider and the Spotted-tail Quoll now fall under the umbrella of Aussie Ark protected species thanks to its new $500,000 partnership with Volkswagen Group Australia.

See photo gallery below.

The two species were devastatingly impacted by the 2020 bushfire season and subsequent drought and are under threat from the feral predator plague faced in Australia. 

Aussie Ark vowed to use the $500,000 worth of funding to construct purpose-built breeding facilities to establish critical insurance populations of each species.

Aussie Ark president Tim Faulkner said once the insurance populations have been established and are successful, Aussie Ark will return the species to the wild within their protected sanctuaries. 

“Aussie Ark is so thankful to Volkswagen for their support and belief in the Aussie Ark mission. It is so important for our community to work together to support conservation, that includes public and private sectors,” Mr Faulkner said.

Volkswagen Group Australia managing director Michael Bartsch said that the company has received a number of meritorious proposals. He anticipates Volkswagen will have ongoing involvement in the “protracted recovery of our country from the Black Summer disaster.”  
 
“Volkswagen Group Australia looks forward to working with our new partners and playing its small part in reviving native flora and fauna,” Mr Bartsch said.