THE WILDLIFE CENTRE
still getting off the ground

Despite the fact that the sustainable use of wildlife is N.T. government policy, BAC has encountered serious difficulties in establishing this business as it has yet to be granted the necessary licensing agreements to sell wildlife. In the interim permits have to be obtained for each sale; it is a cumbersome process as the approval of three different agencies is required.

Despite these obstacles Mangrove Monitors, Speckled Geckoes and Red Claw have been sold this year demonstrating there is a ready market. A captive breeding program to incubate and hatch the eggs collected by outstation people may be a complimentary activity and assist in the preservation of local species threatened with extinction by the influx of cane toads.

A Natural Heritage Trust grant for $268,000 to partially fund operating expenses for the next two years, including the employment of a qualified wildlife manager, will ensure that the concept of a wildlife centre can be further explored and developed appropriately. Future directions may include cooperative ventures with BAC Tourism with wildlife and bird watching tours and the development of web marketing.