I was wondering about the incongruity of celebrating (non-religious) Easter here with "chocolate bunnies," when rabbits are so despised (they decimate the land and displace the native
wildlife. Think how desperate things were, they even tried building a fence across the continent to try to stop the rabbit plague in the early 1900s! (as an aside, if you have not seen the movie "Rabbit Proof Fence," you may want to go rent it, it's quite a story).Anyway, then I happily noticed that the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) where I work was selling "Chocolate Bilbies" as a benefit for the "Save the Bilby Fund." Now anybody could, with a clear conscience, support an endangered species by eating chocolate! Darrell Lea chocolates (http://www.dlea.com.au/--check out those famous chocolate nougat eggs!) sends proceeds from their chocolate bilby sales to the real Bilbies (via the "Save the Bilby" fund), and sponsors a Bilby awareness and fundraising website. (Also, see chocolate bilby-making video, below!).
http://www.easterbilby.com.au
http://www.savethebilbyfund.com
(graphic from EPA website)
Easter is the time when everybody goes camping, apparently, although this year, rain is predicted throughout the weekend (and it certainly rained today). But we couldn't get a camping permit, things were booked long ago. Here are some "camping bilbies.""Of the six bandicoot species that once lived in the arid and semi-arid areas of Australia, the bilby is the sole survivor... Bilbies live in grasslands and mulga scrublands in the hot, dry, arid and semi-arid areas of Australia. Their decline can be directly attributed to feral cats and the fox. Foxes are threatening the survival of native mammals such as brush-tailed bettongs, blackfooted rock wallabies, golden bandicoots, western quolls and the bilby. The feral cat population is estimated to be more than 17 million... There is data also clearly demonstrating that grazing by rabbits and introduced livestock reduces bilby food supplies." (Courtesy of Headstart – The Courier-Mail.)
The story is that there's only an estimated 400-600 bilbies left in Australia, and they have built a special
enclosure in Queensland where bilbies can live. Maybe we'll have to go out for the National Bilby day in September, where we can see the Save the Bilby Fence, a solar powered electrical fence."The Save the Bilby Fence encloses a 25 km2 area in Currawinya National Park where bilbies can live safely in their own natural environment. The two-metre-high fence is predator and feral animal proof, providing the bilbies with a special haven in which to live and breed."
Through the Easter bilby website, fence panels are available for sponsor for $20. Or kids (or anyone else) can do a fundraiser! I'd be happy to coordinate funds transfer for anyone who feels compelled to help out the bilbies.
There's another website that has some conflicting info, and claims of having the trademark on Easter Bilbies (http://www.rabbitfreeaustralia.org.au/easter_bilby_campaign.html), who are threatening a lawsuit against a chocolate company for infringing on their rights. Why can't we all just get along and do the right thing?
Most of the information, here, is from the Easter Bilby website, it has heaps of great info about bilbies and what we can do.
The Bilbies’ Lament
poem by Frank Manthey
I was born in a sunburnt country,
in a time of long ago.
Before rabbits, cats and foxes,
I was free to come and go.
So come on all you Aussies,
It makes darn good common sense,
to help these guys that are trying
to build our saviour fence.
Aussies stick together,
in fire, floods and drought,
support this fund to help us,
our time is running out.
(photo - http://www.savethebilbyfund.com/)
“The Easter Bilby” by John Williamson
Did you know that Bilbys used to be everywhere
Now there’s just a few in Queensland do we really care?
Big long ears, she’s no bunny
Like a kangaroo
She can carry chocolate in her pouch
But Grandpa won’t believe me
He’s too busy snoring
As she tippy-toes around the couch
Chorus:
Oh we all love the Easter Bilby
Pointy little snout
Close your eyes I’m sure she will be
Sneaking all about (with her)
Yum, yum, yum, yum chocolate Bilbys
Big long chocolate nose
It’s Easter so I’m sure she will be
Round on tippy-toes
But did you know cats and foxes
Eat our little friend
They’re nasty and they chase her all about
But you can help to save her
If you buy her chocolates
She carries with her babies in her pouch
Chorus
She comes out after dark
That beautiful little Bilby
She hears you are asleep and tucked in tight
She has such big ears she knows you are dreaming
She’ll bring a chocolate Bilby tonight
Chorus
© 2003 Emusic Pty. Ltd. Visit www.johnwilliamson.com.au
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