“Kanyana is a community, not just a wildlife rescue centre,” says June Butcher, Founder and General Manager of Kanyana Wildlife Research Centre in Lesmurdie. “While rescue and recovery of native animals remain our core business, today it is much, much more. With over 300 volunteers and all the associated energy they bring into the place, Kanyana is a very active, caring enterprise.”
June went on to say: “Our commitment to the protection and caring of Australian wildlife involves us in research projects, breeding programs, tertiary training and teaching, marketing and promotion and above all education.”
Coordinating all of this with only 1½ paid staff and an unsecured operating budget makes for a huge job – and worry − if the truth be known. “We hope the Discovery Centre will assist in the operation of Kanyana by bringing in a steady income. We have yet to realise this,” says June.
“And yes, at times I get worried about the long-term funding of this place. But I can also look around and see what we have achieved – and I feel very proud and keep going. Only last week I was completing an application for Kanyana to obtain aquarium accreditation. Now that’s not backward thinking!”
The Discovery Centre was the destination of DRB one Sunday in October. The centre, funded by Chevron, designed by BK Designs and coordinated by Elizabeth Moore is a wonderful wildlife interpretive opportunity. The location, light, and content of the long room provide for a wealth of hands on experiences.
The five members of DRB who did attend the afternoon had June’s undivided attention and the opportunity to interact with many of the displays.
One display highlighted the plight of the Quenda here in the Darling Range; specimens of a Bandicoot and a rat were shown together. The lack of knowledge of the Quenda by the public, along with the competing influences of cat predation is causing this animal’s numbers to drop. June affirmed she hears “we used to see the Bandicoot at our place, but now we don’t” from the public quite frequently.
Perfect taxidermies of animals, frequently past residents of Kanyana, are displayed to illustrate some particular project or another. Bilbies have a strong presence and there is even a peep show opportunity to watch the birth of this beautiful marsupial born at Kanyana – just pull up a stool and look in.
The level of information in the Discovery Centre is presented in a manner accessible to both adults and children. It is the diversity of information, however, beautifully and imaginatively arranged, that appealed to the naturalist in me. Really there was something for everyone – and then some.
It remains for us in the know to commend Kanyana, its Discovery Centre and Wildlife tours to as many people as possible. The future of this peak body wildlife rescue centre is partly up to us. Visit www.kanyanawildlife.org.au Nocturnal tours twice a month. Telephone: 9291 3900.
Diana Papenfus