By KATHRYN BERMINGHAM
JASON Wood has often recalled the day he first met Donalea Patman.
The Federal La Trobe MP knew very little of ‘canned hunting’ before the passionate wildlife activist alerted him to the plight of lions being reared in captivity to be hunted in enclosures.
With Donalea, he’s since campaigned tirelessly to put an end to the barbaric practice, and was instrumental in introducing a ban on trophy hunters bringing parts of lions into Australia.
On Tuesday 17 November, both Donalea and Jason’s contribution to lion conservation saw them recognised as Policy and Advocacy Heroes in the International Fund for Animal Welfare’s Animal Action Awards.
Speaking at an award ceremony held at Grants Picnic Ground in Kallista, IFAW policy and campaigns manager Matthew Collis said it was pleasing that Australia had taken steps to protect the vulnerable species.
“Donalea and Jason, with the help of internationally respected conservationist and film-maker, Ian Michler, were the driving force behind the Federal Government’s historic decision to ban the import of lion trophies,” he said.
“IFAW hopes that other countries will be inspired by Donalea and Jason’s passionate campaigning and choose instead to recognise the true value in lions and other wildlife is seeing these magnificent animals living free in the wild not hanging from a wall as a trophy.”
Jason praised Donalea for her dedication to wildlife preservation.
“Ms Patman has undertaken remarkable work to protect endangered wildlife and I applaud her commitment.”
IFAW’s Animal Action Awards were established to recognise outstanding achievements in the animal welfare field.
