Yarra Valley local Danica-Jade Williams fell in love with Mountain Pygmy-possums from the moment she first saw them at the zoo.
But Dani was sad to hear these tiny critters are critically endangered in the wild, and she was determined to help.
The seven year old recently met Zoos Victoria CEO Dr Jenny Gray at Healesville Sanctuary to hand over a $750 donation, which will go towards Mountain Pygmy-possum breeding and conservation work.
This is the latest donation in a total of $1500 that Dani has raised to help Zoos Victoria fight wildlife extinction.
Last year, Dani raised ey through her school community, but with coronavirus restrictions this year she had to get inventive – and go online.
“She was really frustrated by the thought of not being able to help the possums,” explained Dani’s mum, Melissa Williams.
“So we helped set her up a Go Fund Me page.”
Dani’s Go Fund Me is called Pocket Change for Pocket Possums.
“I asked her why she likes Mountain Pygmy-possums so much,” said Ms Williams, “and she explained that they’re small and quiet like her – but she feels like she can be brave to help them.”
Dani hopes to one day become a zoologist.
“Dani and I own a lot of the same books about animals,” said Dr Gray.
“I hope she studies hard and follows her passion for helping animals.”
After presenting her donation, Dani helped sanctuary keepers bake a batch of Bogong Bikkies, which are being used to feed wild Mountain Pygmy-possums struggling due to the decline of a major food source, the migratory Bogong moth.
Bogong moths once migrated from Queensland to the Victorian Alps by the billions, but their numbers have plummeted in recent years. Zoos Victoria has launched the citizen science project Moth Tracker to help scientists understand how many moths are making the annual trip.
Healesville Sanctuary re-opened to visitors on Thursday 29 October under the latest change of coronavirus restrictions by the Victorian Government. Daily visitor numbers are capped and all tickets must be pre-purchased online. For more information, visit: www.zoo.org.au
