We are calling on local and state government to take URGENT ACTION in response to repeated and deeply disturbing acts of cruelty toward native wildlife in Far North Queensland.

On New Year’s Day, a registered wildlife rescuer from The Agile Project - Wildlife Rescue discovered a wallaby that had been tied by the neck to an entrance sign at Lake Tinaroo. A beer-can had been shoved into her pouch, causing severe injuries to her baby, who was still alive at the time of rescue. This was not an accident. It was an act of cruelty against a protected native animal.

This incident has reached more than 150,000 people through social media and has attracted coverage from multiple news outlets across Australia. It is currently under investigation by police and the Department of Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation (DETSI).

Tragically, this is not an isolated incident. Several years ago, a similar act occurred in the Mareeba Shire, where a wallaby was found tied by the neck to a street sign. At that time, there was no meaningful investigation outcome or visible preventative response. There have been other animal cruelty cases across Far North Queensland since, pointing to a clear pattern rather than a one-off event.

These repeated incidents highlight a serious gap in:

• Community education and awareness
• Preventative action and early intervention
• Coordinated responses across councils and government agencies

Wildlife cruelty is not just an animal welfare issue. Research shows that deliberate harm to animals can be an early indicator of broader antisocial or violent behaviour, making prevention and education a matter of wider community safety.

At present, there is no consistent, regionally supported wildlife education program in local schools across Far North Queensland. Many children are never taught even the most basic understanding of native marsupials - such as the fact that kangaroos and wallabies carry joeys in their pouch, or that these animals are legally protected.

Education is prevention. When children grow up understanding wildlife as living, sentient beings - not pests or objects - we reduce the likelihood of these behaviours repeating in future generations.

We call on Local and State Government to:

• Recognise wildlife cruelty as a serious community issue
• Invest in school-based wildlife education across Far North Queensland
• Support community education programs in rural and regional areas
• Partner with licensed wildlife rescue organisations to deliver education and outreach
• Publicly reinforce that cruelty toward wildlife is unacceptable and will be taken seriously.

The Agile Project - Wildlife Rescue plans to deliver monthly Wildlife Education training opportunities in 2026, both online and from its Wildlife Rehab & Education Centre in Mareeba. With government support, these programs could be extended to schools and communities across the region.

We urge decision-makers to treat this incident not as an isolated event, but as a clear signal that Far North Queensland must do better - for our wildlife, our communities, and future generations.

By signing this petition, we call for action, accountability, and meaningful investment in prevention through education.

P.S - Please note* donations via this website DO NOT go to our non-profit wildlife rescue group. If you would like to donate to our efforts, please visit our Facebook page to find out how (The Agile Project - Wildlife Rescue).