Canberrans now have the opportunity to vote on the mammal they want to see as an emblem for the ACT.
The Legislative Assembly’s Standing Committee on Environment and Transport and City Services has opened an online poll following a request last year from the Assembly to inquire into a proposal for a mammal emblem for the ACT.
Chair of the Committee, Suzanne Orr said it received 29 submissions from the community, suggesting a range of animals to be considered.
She said the animals mentioned most frequently in submissions were the eastern bettong, spotted tail quoll, southern brush-tailed rock-wallaby, echidna, and little forest bat.
Ms Orr said when choosing a shortlist, the Committee considered the animal’s connection to the ACT region, its contribution to the local environment, its classification as “vulnerable” or “endangered”, and the potential for publicity as the Territory emblem.
“Based on these criteria, the Committee decided that the two strongest contenders for selection as a mammal emblem are the eastern bettong and the southern brush-tailed rock-wallaby,” Ms Orr said.
She said the Committee met with wildlife and conservation experts at Mulligans Flat Woodland Sanctuary and Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve (pictured) to learn more about wildlife in the ACT.
“It was fantastic to have the opportunity to see the significant conservation efforts being made at Mulligans Flat and Tidbinbilla to protect and reintroduce important mammal species to the Canberra region,” Ms Orr said.
“We invite Canberrans to indicate which of the two animals in the shortlist they believe will best represent the Territory as our mammal emblem.”
The poll, which is open now, will close on 26 June. It can be accessed at this PS News link.
The Committee is due to report to the Assembly by September.
