Time for change continued

Released in 2022, the State of the Environment report contained the following findings:

More than 6 million hectares of primary native forest have been cleared since 1990

There are knowledge holders around the country, working at universities, NGOs and Aboriginal corporations, while others are passionate community members. In the past, Zoos Victoria has worked with these experts on a case-by-case basis and on specific projects, but is now making a concerted effort to change its approach to conservation.

Work is also continuing on community conservation projects. “One of our most recent campaigns is Coffee for Wildlife,” says Dr Sherwen. “It focuses on what wildlife friendly coffee can look like and shines a spotlight on how our consumer choices can have conservation impacts – to be more mindful, more broadly, of how what we do in our everyday lives impacts biodiversity locally and globally.”

As always, money raised from Zoos Victoria memberships, philanthropic donations and bequests funds its many conservation projects. “There are also avenues for direct donations towards species-specific conservation programs and emergency wildlife response,” says Dr Sherwen.

An additional 202 animal and plant species have been listed as threatened since 2016

“This is an exciting time to be working in this space. It feels like we are on the cusp of change. People are really starting to listen, take note and get behind a healthier future.”

The number of threatened species listed has increased by 8%

Make a donation to Zoos Victoria’s Fighting Extinction program via the website: zoo.org.au/donate or contact a Philanthropy team member on 03 9340 2720 or philanthropy@zoo.org.au