Australian Farmers Preserving Wildfowl Species

Only 2,800 Malleefowl are remaining in Australia's heavily populated state of New South Wales, out of 25,000 total. However, an unexpected band of brave people—farmers—are stepping up to save these threatened birds. The existence of invasive foxes and feral cats has severely disrupted the survival and reproduction strategy of these ground-nesting birds, regardless of whatever natural balance the ecosystem may have once had. As a result, the survival rate of Malleefowl chicks in the wild is less than 2%. These fascinating birds are skilled at remaining undetected from all other animals within their range because of their complex plumage. Malleefowl belong to a Galliformes family known as "mound builders."Males choose a location in the winter, usually 3 square yards under the mallee tree's shade, and use their feet to rake sandy soil backward to create a mound for their nest. After excavating to a depth of around three feet, they will pile organic material around the depression for the remainder of the winter, building a mound that may reach a height of two feet. Farmers who live and work in the Rankins Springs, close to West Wyalong, area have been gathering eggs from the birds' nesting mounds for the past three years and bringing them to a specialized incubation facility before releasing them into an enclosed space free of feral animals. One farmer, Rodney Guest, told a reporter there, "They didn't have a great deal of success but we have just put a bit of farmer logic into the whole process of incubation and releasing." He has reportedly spent the last 20 years removing foxes and feral cats from his property in an effort to aid this bird, according to insights that were pulled up. "We have been picking up birds from the previous and current season, we are really over the moon with what we have achieved," they all declare with a great sense of pride.  

Sea enthusiast builds a hospital for the 1,000 seals he saves off the coast of Britain.

A woman who oversees a hospital for injured seals in Cornwall, a picturesque and windy seaside city, also volunteers to save various marine creatures. She was recently recognized for her extraordinary efforts with the Animal Action Award. Lizzi Larbalestier, a volunteer for British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR), converted her Airbnb into a temporary animal hospital and cared for injured seals for nine months. She, her husband, and other volunteers decided it was insufficient and started from scratch to construct a fully operational seal hospital in Cornwall. The couple's home facility had six pens, but the new site has 10. Entering their third breeding season, Larbalestier anticipates receiving about 100 seals annually for rehabilitation. The previous year, they received 3,000 calls to assist with wounded or displaced marine species. Some need immediate medical attention after being brought in with injuries from boats or fishing equipment. Some are pups who have been separated from their parents; others are young animals who were unsuccessful hunters and would have died from severe malnourishment. Substantiation of her Work:  Lizzi highlights that everyone on the team contributes to the daily tasks and that every volunteer is "critical" to BDMLR's efforts to save the maritime environment."Any volunteer medics can rescue the pups, and if needed, we bring them to the hospital so a veterinarian can examine them and develop a treatment plan," the woman stated. "It takes a true team effort to ensure pups receive the best care; we have clear protocols for that."After their rescue, we provide these animals with vital treatment, which helps to stabilize the puppies and get them ready to go to larger rehabilitation facilities. Sensitivity of Work:  President and CEO of IFAW, said, "The Animal Action Awards are our long-standing commitment to honor and herald the animal heroes that make an impact." This kind of appreciation leads to self-actualization needs in life and further motivates the person to stay driven by self-belief. Lizzi reports that although the BDMLR( British Divers Marine Life Rescue) volunteer team primarily rescues seals, they also respond to calls regarding various marine animals, such as "cetaceans" (whales, dolphins, and porpoises). It was a tremendous team effort under trying conditions, she said. But I'm going to help them no matter what!