An unlikely friendship, sparked by the rescue of a sick wombat, is now driving an ambitious $10 million project to secure the future of native wildlife in the Southern Highlands of New South Wales.
From Wombat Rescue to Wildlife Vision
Businessman and philanthropist Peter Lewis first met wildlife rescuer John Creighton when John was called to retrieve an ailing wombat from under Peter's house. That encounter forged a partnership that has culminated in the founding of the Southern Highlands Wildlife Sanctuary (SHWS) in Bundanoon.
The sanctuary is designed to be a hub for education and critical research, particularly focused on koala health and conservation. Its ultimate, landmark goal is to reintroduce koalas into the vast Morton National Park, a protected area spanning approximately 200,000 hectares from the Highlands down to the Ulladulla region.
Addressing a Century of Decline
John Creighton, a naturalist with over a decade of experience in the region, says the devastating Black Summer bushfires of 2019-20 were a pivotal moment, laying bare the fragility of native ecosystems. "I was working through those long nights, and I saw the devastation," he recalled.
However, both men stress that the threats to koalas have been building for more than a century. The historical koala fur trade and widespread land clearing have drastically reduced populations and habitat. Where an estimated two million koalas once lived in NSW, current numbers are believed to sit between 95,000 and 238,000.
Compounding the problem is the widespread prevalence of chlamydia among remaining populations, which causes infertility, blindness, and makes koalas more vulnerable to other dangers.
A Community-Powered Centre of Excellence
Despite challenges, including a perceived lack of extra government funding for koala protection in the latest state budget, the project's founders are buoyed by strong local support. John points to the community's response during the bushfires as evidence of a deep-seated passion for wildlife. "The bushfires really revealed a rich vein of care in the community," he said.
The planned sanctuary will not be a traditional zoo. "It's not for the display of animals," Peter Lewis emphasised. "We don't want them to stay in captivity and become tame. The idea is to help them home."
The facility will include:
- An education centre to engage the public.
- A research centre to study koala health and habitat.
- A bush corridor linking to Morton National Park for wildlife movement.
Key to the project's success will be identifying suitable habitat within the national park and conducting thorough research to ensure any reintroduced koalas can thrive. The sanctuary will operate with a strong volunteer base, ensuring funds directly support wildlife care and rehabilitation.
With a forecast total budget of $10 million, Peter Lewis notes the value for money. "It sounds like a lot, but it's actually quite a small budget when you consider what we're doing," he said. The organisation encourages people to get involved as free members, welcoming support from all backgrounds.
To learn more or become a member, visit southernhighlandswildlifesanctuary.org.au.
