Wombats, turtles, koalas and more: Panel to explore saving iconic wildlife | UniSC | University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia

From a new vaccine saving koalas to an influencer whose wildlife rescues are watched by millions online – discover how research and community action can help save our iconic wildlife. 

Award-winning ABC broadcaster Dr Norman Swan will lead a panel of experts, at the UniSC’s Sippy Downs campus on Thursday 28 May, to unpack the challenges – and the breakthroughs – giving threatened species a fighting chance. 

It is the second instalment of UniSC’s new flagship ‘Building Better’ public series, which seeks to ignite conversations and offer solutions to some of the most pressing challenges of our time – helping shape healthier people and a healthier planet.  

Panellists include UniSC Professor of Microbiology Peter Timms, who led the development of the world’s first approved vaccine to combat deadly koala chlamydia, and Professor Kathy Townsend, whose research on manta rays and marine turtles is helping to inform conservation change in Australia and internationally. 

Also on the panel is Josh Neille – known internationally as the Wombat Guy – who is mobilising support for wildlife care through sharing online stories of his wildlife rescues, rehab and releases.  

Professor Townsend said more than 2,000 Australian species were under threat – many at risk of extinction within decades.

“Australia is blessed with a huge number of species you don’t find anywhere else, and we are a hotspot for other endangered species whose populations are being decimated elsewhere in the world – a good example of this is our sea turtles,” she said. 

“Unfortunately, these species are being impacted by human behaviours – everything from entanglement in fishing gear to climate change. 

“Climate change is changing habitats, food availability and where these animals can live. It is putting them right on the edge of being able to survive. 

“The other side of the coin is that we can do something about this. We have it in our power to make changes to pull back these impacts. We have the capabilities to bring these animals back from the brink.” 

Event details