Thanks to the North Queensland Wildlife Trust, a little more of the Daintree Rainforest has been purchased and protected. 

The endangered Southern Cassowary 

The North Queensland Wildlife Trust (NQWT) was established in 2004 by the Freeman family, who own and operate Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures, Kuranda Koala Gardens and Birdworld Kuranda. 

For almost 20 years, the trust has supported a wide range of wildlife causes including habitat restoration, wildlife care, and rare and endangered species research. 

In January, we were delighted to receive a grant of $5,000 from NQWT to help with the purchase, protection and restoration of Lot 34 Cape Tribulation Road at Diwan in the Daintree Rainforest. 

The cumulative effect of their contribution and many others like it was realised this month with the successful purchase of Lot 34 Cape Tribulation Road. 

The property will now be managed for conservation, and starts its journey on the Pathway to Protection. The first task on the agenda: the removal of environmental weeds.

Lot 34 Cape Tribulation Road at Diwan

Spanning 3 hectares and home to two types of lowland rainforest, Lot 34 Cape Tribulation Road provides vital habitat for 195 species of native plants and animals including the endangered southern cassowary, the orange-footed scrub fowl, and the buff-breasted paradise kingfisher. You can read a summary of the Lot 34 Cape Tribulation Road survey here. 

We are very grateful to the North Queensland Wildlife Trust for their help in protecting and restoring the Daintree Rainforest.

Since inception, NQWT has distributed in excess of $200,000 to local conservation groups with Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR) Status. 

In 2021 and 2023, the trust provided a significant level of funding, resources and support for the wildlife carers in bushfire affected areas in Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia.

Over time, NQWT has contributed to:

• Rehabilitation of Cassowary habitat in Daintree and Mission Beach;
• Restoration of Tree Kangaroo habitat on Petersen’s Creek, Yungaburra;
• Breeding for release of endangered Gouldian Finches;
• Construction of facilities and funded specialist training for wildlife carers;
• Research into the prevalence of Northern Bettongs;
• Expansion of the Turtle Hospital on Fitzroy Island;
• Restoration of a wildlife corridor for Spotted Tailed Quolls.

Learn more about the North Queensland Wildlife Trust here. 

Orange-footed scrub fowl