The fate of one native animal among the billion estimated to have died in the bushfire crisis appears to have been too much for someone, with a Cobargo couple reported for euthanasing a badly burnt and dying wallaby at their wildlife sanctuary.
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The complaint was enough to garner attention of metro Murdoch media this week and while an Animal Welfare League representative paid Sara Tilling and Gary Henderson a visit, no further action has been taken.
Sara said it was "just astounding" that someone would take issue with the sensitive euthanisation of one wallaby by experienced wildlife carers.
"In the height of a national disaster this one gets reported while every night kangaroos by the hundreds are smashed over the head for pet food and no-one makes a noise," she said incredulously.
Preferring to focus on the silver linings, where they can, Sara said they have had an incredible amount of support throughout the fire disaster and hopeful recovery.
While they continue with plans to rebuild the sanctuary following its devastation in the January fires, the immediate challenges include getting power and other services reconnected to their property.
They were living in a caravan bought for them by friends - "without them I don't know where we would be" - but have since moved into two shipping containers that have been fitted out and dropped off by Animal Rescue Co-operative.
READ MORE: Wildlife carers vow to rebuild sanctuary
"Without doubt the people in the co-operative are some of the most incredible human beings I've come across," Sara said.
"It's absolutely phenomenal what they've done for us."
Sara said the experience of losing their home was nothing compared to the devastation of what's occurred to the landscape and animals.
"It's soul destroying.
"The material things I don't mind so much, but to have lost all the wildlife...
"This valley was a safe haven for them and they knew it. Now it's all gone. We used to have hundreds of animals here each day - swamp wallabies, red-necked wallabies, wombats and birds. The other day I only saw four roos.
"To have lost all this, it's really hard to get up every day.
"In your deepest moments you think 'what am I fighting for?'...but we have an incredible network around us," she said.
"I have good days and bad days - some days I'm just broken, and then other times I'm ready to fight on.
"It would be easy to focus on those people who want to bring us down - but I will not stop fighting."
Sara and Gary's passion for their wild neighbours comes through in an emotional video package created by Matt Barwick, a filmmaker from northern NSW.
He travelled to the region with a team from wildlife and conservation charity Green Heroes, to help showcase the sanctuary and its recovery following the bushfires.
Fittingly, the theme of the film is "purpose".
"It's not just a passion, but it becomes your complete way of life," Sara says in the short film opening.
"Even though we've lived through this tragedy, we are still very grateful we've found a purpose."
Ben Smyth
I have worked as a journalist since 2005 and am now Editor of Australian Community Media mastheads in Bega, Merimbula and Eden
I have worked as a journalist since 2005 and am now Editor of Australian Community Media mastheads in Bega, Merimbula and Eden
