Frequently Asked Questions
How will Wildlife Advocate ensure that it provides the best information,
education and advice?
Wildlife Advocate is establishing a panel of recognised experts in the fields of wildlife
husbandry, behaviour and demographics. These experts will be ‘on call’ to assist
Wildlife Advocate to adequately and accurately represent the needs of Australian
wildlife.
Aren’t there already groups that represent the needs of Australian animals?
Yes, there are a number of organisations that represent the needs of animals.
However, these organisations tend to represent the needs of all animals, whether
native or domesticated. As such, these organisations are spread thin.
Doesn’t the RSPCA represent the needs of Australian wildlife?
The RSPCA typically focuses on the needs of domesticated animals.
How is Wildlife Advocate different from the many environment protection
organisations?
Environment protection organisations address the long-term needs of Australia’s
wildlife through the protection of their natural habitats and eco systems. As such
they represent the needs of Australian wildlife, albeit indirectly. Wildlife Advocate on
the other hand deals with the direct and immediate needs of Australia’s wildlife.
For example, Wildlife Advocate will be addressing such issues as the
slaughter of kangaroos and wallabies, 1080 baiting, the possum
meat trade and the safari hunting of crocodiles in the Northern Territory.
Will Wildlife Advocate just be an apologist for the government?
No. Wildlife Advocate does not support many of the actions by local, state and
federal governments or landholders. However, this will not prevent Wildlife Advocate
from engaging with these organisations to achieve what can be achieved. While
Wildlife Advocate’s tactics may not have support from more radical, protest-based
wildlife organisations, it has already made in-roads into saving native Australian
wildlife.
Is Wildlife Advocate another east-coast centric organisation?
No. Wildlife Advocate will work with its members, regardless of their location to
identify and address issues and concerns affecting native Australian wildlife. Indeed,
Wildlife Advocate intends to hold its annual general meetings in a different state or
territory each year (depending on the number of local members).
Do I have to be a member to raise an issue/concern regarding the treatment of
native Australian wildlife?
Wildlife Advocate will attempt to address all issues
raised. However, Wildlife Advocate will give priority to issues raised
by members. Wildlife Advocate will work with the
relevant local members to investigate and address the issue/concern.
Wildlife Advocate will also keep members informed of progress on particular
issues/concerns.
Does Wildlife Advocate represent the needs of wildlife carers?
No. There are already organisations/structures in place or being developed for
state/national representation/management of wildlife carer organisations and
individuals. Wildlife Advocate is devoted to addressing the direct and immediate
needs of Australian wildlife per se.
Is Wildlife Advocate an off-shoot from another organisation?
No. Wildlife Advocate is an independent national body for dealing with wildlife issues
in a mature, professional and rational manner. Wildlife Advocate has links with
similar bodies in other nations and with international bodies concerned with wildlife
issues.
Is Wildlife Advocate connected with any other Australian organisation?
No. Wildlife Advocate is an independent body.
Wildlife Advocate does however have an affiliate membership program whereby regional
and/or species specific organisations can support the aims and objectives of Wildlife
Advocate both financially and by identifying and/or assisting in the resolution of
issues affecting native Australian wildlife.
Is Wildlife Advocate a peak national body on wildlife issues?
Yes, for those members (individual, affiliate and corporate) who wish to advance
wildlife issues in a rational, mature and professional manner.
Wildlife Advocate is not, however, a controlling body. Each member can still
advance issues, under their own name. However, members can not advance issues
under Wildlife Advocate’s name.
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