Too many people have such an awful attitude here in Tas. Not enough people are willing to drive slower from dusk to dawn or to pull over to check those that are hit. Then there are those that say there are too many wallabies/pademellon. It's so sad so many people are so cruel and have no empathy.
driving faster gets no kills, the drive slow is to preserve human life... the nocturnals are attracted to the noise (noise is slow) they are inquisitive. then they see the lights, being nocturnal their brains flood with happy chemicals and they run toward the light transfixed. nb, there are too many. kill a few thousand in the morning and come back in three months and it will look like nothing is different. this is how you are provided with food. nb, culls also include wholly protected species. some are left alone, they will take out other species, urchins for examples, the over farming of salmon and oysters are seeing other species decline.
It’s amazing what you have done for our state let alone your visitors! You’ve done more than majority of Tasmanians! Thanks for helping us! Next time you visit Tassie go to flinders island their is a lady their who has been rescuing wombats for years!
Thank you, Lydia and Wehan, for your immense love towards the wildlife. I'm from Tasmania and I feel very sad these animals are dead on roads. Most of the drivers won't slow down even if the signage is shown, and the ones behind us will tailgate if we slow down. Thanks for sharing the free rescue course, and I will definitely do it. Cheers to both, much love, God Speed.❤
You two are some very special people. It's people like you that make the world a much better place. You did not cry alone in this video I can assure you.
You made me cry. I get so sad when I see roadkill, and I also get so fucking angry because I know, like you said, a good deal of these beautiful creatures are murdered by fuckwits. As a former truck driver I know that on the rare occasion an animal will actually run out into the road and no matter how much caution you exercise there will be deaths, but so many of these injuries are avoidable. Thank you for caring. xxxxxx
Sorry you are leaving our shores! Thank you for your appreciation, passion and respect and for contributing to the care and conservation of our flora and fauna. I have actually learned a lot myself and seen places I have never been through your videos. I think you are both honorary Tasmanians now! Where to next? Where ever it may be - May your travels be safe and fulfilling and May the memories of Tasmania be always etched upon your hearts. Many blessings. Sharon
Thank you so much! 💙 Tasmania has been so so special to us and really felt like home. We found it really difficult to leave but I'm sure we'll be back. Now we're back to continuing our lap of Australia so many more adventures to come I'm sure!
Thank you! This is one of my favourite videos of yours 💛 All lives are precious. We were talking to a man on one of our walks the other week, and he told us that he purposely swerves to hit snakes and was having a laugh about it. We were horrified 😢
Thank you so much!! They really are. 💙 Ugh that's horrible, some people really are the worst. We genuinely don't understand how anyone can purposely kill or injure animals. 😫
BLESS YOU BOTH...I was crying through most of this. I cannot understand people who seek out to hurt these beautiful creatures. I love your hearts. What an amazing experience you both had that will last your lifetime. Look at all the babies you saved.
Recently moved to TAS, some times I drive at night and in a 30 min drive I will have on average 5+ wallabies run out in front me, now I go well under the speed limit so i can avoid them and not risk ruining my car, originally come from QLD where you just don’t see this and there is no abundance of wildlife, so I am sensitive to it, but sadly majority of people here have 4WDs and are so numb to seeing it everywhere.
Thank you so much! Bit of a weird one but you're Janelle right? We were constantly stalking the ARC Tas group while we were in Tassie and saw a lot of your posts in there (and absolutely loved them...obsessed with the name Caramello for your little possum 😍). We should be thanking you for all of the beautiful work you do 💙 Hopefully we'll cross paths next time we're in Tassie.
Hey! Yep, that's me 😊 would be lovely to catch up when you guys are back in Tassie one day! Caramello was such a little cutie! I released him about a month ago now. Gosh he grew up so quickly!
Thank you so so much, that is so kind and generous of you. We really appreciate it 💙 I'm sure we'll be back in Tassie one day, it left such an impact on us and we were devastated to leave.
Thank you for putting this amazing short film together and the work & love you’ve given to the wildlife along the way. We hope this goes viral and educates people visiting & living in beautiful Tasmania xx
I drove to work at cradle on day and there were 6 brush tail possums, a devil and a spotted tail quoll I cried and swore, broke my heart. Being from Qld there are less environmental protections outside protected areas. It’s a good thing there are lots of protected areas because people are trying to woodhook and burn the rest 😭
We held a wildlife tourism conference on Cradle Mountain and our delegates (from Australia, Japan, Sri Lanka and elsewhere) were appalled at the amount of roadkill along the way
I just got back from a week in Tasmania. The amount of roadkill is heart breaking. Mostly pademelons, the cutest little animals. So many it's terrible to see.
Oh thank you so so much. We really appreciate the beautiful work you do and again a massive thank you for having us in your home to meet you and the little wombats! 💙 We hope you're going well and wish you and your family the best.
Thank you for highlighting this issue. It's a disgrace and a terrible look for Tassie. People have become inured to it to some degree sadly. I've been using the Tas Roadkill Reporter App to record threatened and endangered roadkill. 13 Eastern quolls were killed in the last year just on our 7km stretch of road. Wallabies and possums are enormously abundant but we can't afford to let the numbers of quolls, devils etc, decline further. The cruelty of roadkill is very upsetting and confronting. Pls write to our federal Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek - every letter helps. Every road needs signage, tunnels, bridges, sonic deterrents - plus a huge campaign to change behaviours.
Great vid! We live in Tassie and avoid driving at night. Driving 10mins to our local town we counted 36 recently killed animals on the road. We've pulled wombats, platypus, bettong, bandicoots, wallabies and possums off the road. It's devastating. Especially this time of the year when it's dry and they congregate along the roadside where there's green pick. Something must be done.
Thank you so much! We were the same, in other parts of Australia we'd often drive at night to get to hikes early in the morning but with Tassie we shifted to avoid driving at night as much as possible. That's so sad to hear, it's heartbreaking that there's so many in such a short distance. 😔
My Partner and I love watching your video's and we love Tasmania too. It always feels like home to us. My Mum knits and I crochet and we would love to make pouches for the rescued wildlife. How can we find out about the specifications for these? (Sizes etc)
Thank you! 💙 Oh that would be amazing of you both, ARC is great for organising crafts. Here's a link to the ARC Craft Guild FaceBook group, they have all of the instructions/sizes documented here: facebook.com/groups/arfsncrafts/files/files. You can then just organise donating them in the FB group or on the ARC website. They operate Australia-wide but if you're in Tassie there is a Tasmania specific FaceBook group which is lovely to follow as you get to see the little ones in the crafts you donate.
My god..... i havent seen you guys in ages, i am so happy you guys are Healthy and okay. i dont know if you guys remember me, ill leave it up to you. Good luck on your Adventures! ❤
This is extremely sad….I know on our drive down to Port Arthur…around the peninsula…..a wet awful day….but oh my , we saw countless dead animals…it became our topic of conversation the whole trip back to the airport….I have seen this in Scotland, many animals just crossing our roads with no concept of what’s on them….driving slower might help….it’s so hard to say what to do…..but perhaps be more mindful of our animals out there…..
What you both have done is NORMAL. It should not be considered unusual or heroic, it should be our natural state of existance. Humans are so DISCONNECTED from the reality that we SHARE THE EARTH with billions of other species. Well done on your kindness and your video demonstraing what normal looks like. I live on the Northern Beaches in NSW, Australia and the amount of animals hit by cars, and then run over and over again, because nobody feels inclined to be normal, and pick up a hit animal is mind blowing to me. I've lost count how many animals I've picked up. People will run their car over a Cockatoo until it's squashed into the road. Just wicked. What kind of human being thinks that is okay? People whingeing about possums in their roofs, brush turkeys in their gardens, the bitching and moaning about NATIVE ANIMALS in their own habitat... the disconnect is astounding.
Omg, someone actually swerved out of their way on purpose to hit an animal??? Just WHY???😢😢😢 I'm so glad you got the training and did all you could to help. ❤
The truma space/hot water heater is fantastic. We're really happy with it and it does a good job. We use it for hot water every shower now and used the space heater quite a few times during our time in Tassie when it got really cold. Definitely recommend. 😊
Too many tourists, wildlife displaced by housing and agriculture and a government so far up itself that doesn’t care! Lived in Tassie nearly 20 years and the problem is getting worse!😢
What a beautiful video. While it may be confronting to see dead wildlife on the road, it is a sign that there are wild populations. Lots of work being done in other parts parts of Australia on wildlife ladders and tunnels to try and provide better options to cross roads, but wild animals will also be wild.
Thank you! Tasmania is so heavily integrated with its wildlife that some roadkill is unavoidable and we totally understand that. It's part of what makes Tasmania so special and incredible, the whole island is so immersed in that natural/wild beauty and wildlife is everywhere. We've read that the government have done a few trials to try and reduce the amount of roadkill, including the tunnels you mentioned. Tasmania is so immersed in the wilderness though and wildlife now use the roads to navigate their way through the wild. Sadly, we don't believe there will ever be a solution that completely eliminates roadkill. I think as travellers very little information is shared on the true scale of the roadkill issue and since wildlife/environmental beauty is the main draw for tourists to Tasmania it can be even more confronting. A lot of travellers would also have no idea what to do if they were ever in that position. Spreading awareness, trying to prevent the avoidable accidents and helping out the animals when possible is our message.
Thank you so much legends, this is the reality of Australia... In every state and Tasmania just happens to be the worst for various reasons (and as the population increases, and destruction continues it will only be worse). I love wild, natural Australia but I hate the actions (and lack there of) of the so called Australian population (more like mostly homo sapien parasites, with some true Australians). I am just returning to Sydney after the 2024 Takayna Trail Event for the Bob Brown Foundation (I am a WIRES volunteer in the northern beaches). It is so hard for me to go anywhere in tasmania particularly, because there is as you know endless corpses and potential Joey's needing help (as well as need to remove bodies in case quolls or devil's become the next victim). As you have stated, although some of the best people in Australia are in Tasmania... Many of the worst are also there too who are extremely cruel and stupid who purposefully murder wildlife and destroy their habitat. It all stems from successive governments (state and federal) of the exact same, abhorrent nature... So much needs to change and the extreme majority of the major city populations of Australia care for little bit their own enjoyment. Thank you for making this doco and doing as you do!
Because we don't have foxes or dingos, or any other large predators, it looks like we have more road kill, but when you're relying on small scavengers and birds to do the clean up, it looks like there is more than the mainland, but it's not really the case.
So many truths in this. Sadly since moving here my opinion of Tasmanians has taken a nose dive, with most not caring about their own state or wildlife one bit. Roadkill, logging, rubbish, everywhere and caused predominantly by Tasmanians. Being a "mainlander" we get a bad rep by Tasmanians, but by now I have my own slogan: the best Tasmanians were mainlanders.... We move here for nature, animals, environment. We seem to appreciate it more than most (so don't get upset) born and bred Tasmanians
Mainlanders will never be considered Tasmanians. You could live here for 50+ years and you'll still be a mainlander. And your self-righteous attitude is part of the reason why.
I can totally understand your perspective as unfortunately there is a bunch of people who really don't care about their beautiful state and the wildlife in it. Even walking over to check the pademelon with the dead joey, a driver noticed me walking over and purposely swerved into the other side of the road to hit her 😫 I think the bad things that people do is at the forefront and can seem like the majority. But thankfully with doing the rescue work we have met the beautiful Tasmanians who do really care about their state and work hard to protect it. Sadly a lot of those people and the beautiful work they do is quite hidden and 'behind the scenes'.
@@lydiaandwehan absolutely! Its a very intimidating minority that always has a go at the "greenies" or "tree huggers". Intimidating and/or abusive, which makes people think twice voicing concerns on environmental issues. Tasmania has a huge Redneck community, and thats where the problem lies. Roadside rubbish is another tasmanian issue little talked about. Don't think I've seen worse other than in Asia, especially taking into account the small population here
Sometimes people will run over an animal that has been hit to put it out of it's misery as there would be no hope of the animal surviving and it would be awful to prolong it's agony. Also we have lots of European wasps that tend to feast on these 'road kills' and if you go and pick the animal up you are in for a lot of pain as these wasps attack. I myself have stopped and had a look at something that has been hit and move it to the side of the road if it is dead, but I did hear that it is against the law as you could cause an accident by stopping, not sure if this is true.
This is unfortunate and we all wish it never happened but you've painted a picture that this only happens in tasmania. Road kill happens everywhere and 99% is accidental. Quite often animals will run off th road and last minute they dart back on.
We recognise that roadkill doesn't just happen in Tassie. This video was focused on our experience over the last 6 months in Tassie and the wildlife rescue journey we had here. We definitely recognise that some roadkill is unavoidable and won't be completely eliminated but during our time driving in Tassie and doing the rescue work we see that there are a lot of deaths that are avoidable. Our focus here was to spread awareness, help prevent the deaths that can be avoided and educate so that animals aren't left suffering in the road. A lot of our recommendations at the end are focused on reducing the chances, supporting those who do help the wildlife or encouraging visitors to Tassie to equip themselves with the knowledge to help a suffering animal if they're ever in that situation.
I have just returned from 2 months in Tasmania. What a wonderful place! I agree, the amount of road kill is absolutely insane!!!! Totally unacceptable. Tasmanians have no respect for wildlife on the road.
Such a wonderful place! We hope you had an amazing 2 months. Was it your first time in Tassie? The amount really shocked us too. You hear the title roadkill capital of the world but don't quite grasp the scale of it until you see it first hand. While some of it is unavoidable sadly a lot of those deaths are avoidable. It can feel that way for sure, but there's a lot of Tasmanians who really do respect and care for their wildlife and beautiful state, that hard work is often just 'behind the scenes'. But, there is also a group of people who don't care and it can feel like a losing battle because of them.
When I moved here in 1995 you hardly saw any roadkill, and what you did see were rabbits - because there was a healthy population of Tassie Devils that cleaned up the carcasses very quickly. If you think it's bad here, go check out rural Queensland. Not just small animals but full size kangaroos and cows lying on the roadside. I don't know how Tassie got the title of roadkill capital but I don't believe it for a minute. I drove to Hobart and back a little over a week ago and saw none. At least the paddocks here are mostly fenced. In Queensland you risk your life on rural roads because most are not. Finding yourself on a fully dark road with a cow suddenly appearing in front of you? No thanks. Some people swerve to kill any animal they see, those people need to be pedestrians more often and they are a particular type of human. Building corridors and tunnels under roads for wildlife is one great solution but getting them to use it is a whole different ballgame. Sometimes it's impossible to avoid them, they run straight at you and even birds will fly away then straight back at your vehicle. Night-time travel is the real danger zone and you can't see them until it's too late. I still remember the first time I accidentally hit a rabbit, I was devastated. I know it's hard to see, but mother nature never wastes anything. The death of an animal is the food source of another. I have driven with people who will swerve dangerously and slam on the brakes to avoid an animal - that is called dangerous driving and they risk their lives doing it. There is a happy medium there somewhere but I don't know what it is. I don't drive at night, maybe that is one solution but trucks stop for no man - or animal.
Tasmania has such an abundance of wildlife and people live in such close proximity to the wilderness that yes roadkill is unavoidable in some circumstances. While we're not experts on the matter, roadkill doesn't seem to be a reflection of the health and abundance of the native populance but a byproduct of it. Sadly a huge majority of the deaths and injuries to animals are avoidable as we've experienced working as rescuers and driving on Tasmanian roads for 6+ months. We recognise roadkill will never be completely eliminated, we're just trying to spread awareness (particularly to visitors to Tasmania who have very little knowledge on the scale of wildlife/roadkill) to help prevent the deaths that can be avoided and so that animals aren't left suffering in the road. Also to let people know how they can help injured/orphaned animals.
i gather you didnt get to hear about "black bobs" or the missing or dead tourists. im also gathering you dont know about the sheer volume of wildlife and what a problem it presents.
We don't understand the logic either 🙃 Not something we'd lie about but happy for you to DM us on instagram and I can send you the rescue request we received if you'd like.
Thank you for sharing such a beautiful spiritual land. I was in Tasmania in 2015 when I started my big lap so now, I have some new places to go back to as next year I get the age pension and I'm going to spend more time exploring. I was very touched by this video especially being a compassionate vegan my empathy goes out to all animals that have been enslaved tortured and slaughtered for humans to have a few moments of pleasure costing that whole animal's life. I never drive after dusk and before dawn for that exact reason and it's a shame that so many people are environmentally unconscious, and do not realise the consequences of their actions; anyway, good luck in your travels and hopefully the retirement age won't be over 70 when it comes to your turn 🤣😂💕✌PS. My TH-cam channel is called Living Free In My RV...
Too many people have such an awful attitude here in Tas. Not enough people are willing to drive slower from dusk to dawn or to pull over to check those that are hit. Then there are those that say there are too many wallabies/pademellon. It's so sad so many people are so cruel and have no empathy.
driving faster gets no kills, the drive slow is to preserve human life... the nocturnals are attracted to the noise (noise is slow) they are inquisitive. then they see the lights, being nocturnal their brains flood with happy chemicals and they run toward the light transfixed. nb, there are too many. kill a few thousand in the morning and come back in three months and it will look like nothing is different. this is how you are provided with food. nb, culls also include wholly protected species. some are left alone, they will take out other species, urchins for examples, the over farming of salmon and oysters are seeing other species decline.
It’s amazing what you have done for our state let alone your visitors! You’ve done more than majority of Tasmanians! Thanks for helping us! Next time you visit Tassie go to flinders island their is a lady their who has been rescuing wombats for years!
I barely moved to Hobart 1.5 months ago and this was what traumatised me a little bit which makes me not want to go back on highways anytime soon.
Thank you, Lydia and Wehan, for your immense love towards the wildlife. I'm from Tasmania and I feel very sad these animals are dead on roads. Most of the drivers won't slow down even if the signage is shown, and the ones behind us will tailgate if we slow down.
Thanks for sharing the free rescue course, and I will definitely do it.
Cheers to both, much love, God Speed.❤
Thank you so much for the kind words! Happy to hear you'll be doing the rescue course also, it's fantastic and can really help Tassie's wildlife. 💙
You two are some very special people. It's people like you that make the world a much better place. You did not cry alone in this video I can assure you.
You made me cry. I get so sad when I see roadkill, and I also get so fucking angry because I know, like you said, a good deal of these beautiful creatures are murdered by fuckwits. As a former truck driver I know that on the rare occasion an animal will actually run out into the road and no matter how much caution you exercise there will be deaths, but so many of these injuries are avoidable. Thank you for caring. xxxxxx
Sorry you are leaving our shores! Thank you for your appreciation, passion and respect and for contributing to the care and conservation of our flora and fauna. I have actually learned a lot myself and seen places I have never been through your videos. I think you are both honorary Tasmanians now! Where to next? Where ever it may be - May your travels be safe and fulfilling and May the memories of Tasmania be always etched upon your hearts. Many blessings. Sharon
Thank you so much! 💙 Tasmania has been so so special to us and really felt like home. We found it really difficult to leave but I'm sure we'll be back.
Now we're back to continuing our lap of Australia so many more adventures to come I'm sure!
Great video both, very touching and educational - congratulations, you should be very proud of yourselves/achievements!
Thank you! This is one of my favourite videos of yours 💛 All lives are precious.
We were talking to a man on one of our walks the other week, and he told us that he purposely swerves to hit snakes and was having a laugh about it. We were horrified 😢
Thank you so much!! They really are. 💙
Ugh that's horrible, some people really are the worst. We genuinely don't understand how anyone can purposely kill or injure animals. 😫
BLESS YOU BOTH...I was crying through most of this. I cannot understand people who seek out to hurt these beautiful creatures. I love your hearts. What an amazing experience you both had that will last your lifetime. Look at all the babies you saved.
😭💙 You're too sweet, thank you so much.
Recently moved to TAS, some times I drive at night and in a 30 min drive I will have on average 5+ wallabies run out in front me, now I go well under the speed limit so i can avoid them and not risk ruining my car, originally come from QLD where you just don’t see this and there is no abundance of wildlife, so I am sensitive to it, but sadly majority of people here have 4WDs and are so numb to seeing it everywhere.
Wonderful job guys! Thank you for taking time to care for our beautiful little critters ❤
Thank you so much! Bit of a weird one but you're Janelle right? We were constantly stalking the ARC Tas group while we were in Tassie and saw a lot of your posts in there (and absolutely loved them...obsessed with the name Caramello for your little possum 😍). We should be thanking you for all of the beautiful work you do 💙 Hopefully we'll cross paths next time we're in Tassie.
Hey! Yep, that's me 😊 would be lovely to catch up when you guys are back in Tassie one day! Caramello was such a little cutie! I released him about a month ago now. Gosh he grew up so quickly!
Thank you, I hope this goes viral. Blessings to you both. ❤
Thank you so much for your beautiful hearts and helping our precious wildlife. You’re so appreciated.
Thank you so so much, that is so kind and generous of you. We really appreciate it 💙 I'm sure we'll be back in Tassie one day, it left such an impact on us and we were devastated to leave.
Thank you for putting this amazing short film together and the work & love you’ve given to the wildlife along the way. We hope this goes viral and educates people visiting & living in beautiful Tasmania xx
Thank you Lydia and Wehan for your careful and loving presentation of an important issue. xxx
Another brilliant one guys. Loved it. Very inspiring ❤👏
Thank you so much 💙
I drove to work at cradle on day and there were 6 brush tail possums, a devil and a spotted tail quoll I cried and swore, broke my heart. Being from Qld there are less environmental protections outside protected areas. It’s a good thing there are lots of protected areas because people are trying to woodhook and burn the rest 😭
We held a wildlife tourism conference on Cradle Mountain and our delegates (from Australia, Japan, Sri Lanka and elsewhere) were appalled at the amount of roadkill along the way
I just got back from a week in Tasmania. The amount of roadkill is heart breaking. Mostly pademelons, the cutest little animals. So many it's terrible to see.
What an amazing and powerful film. Glad we could be part of your journey and experiences. (Cradle Mountain Wombat Rescue) 😊
Oh thank you so so much. We really appreciate the beautiful work you do and again a massive thank you for having us in your home to meet you and the little wombats! 💙 We hope you're going well and wish you and your family the best.
We need so many more caters and rescuers. We do what we do to help preserve life and keep our animals from becoming extinct
Thank you for highlighting this issue. It's a disgrace and a terrible look for Tassie. People have become inured to it to some degree sadly. I've been using the Tas Roadkill Reporter App to record threatened and endangered roadkill. 13 Eastern quolls were killed in the last year just on our 7km stretch of road. Wallabies and possums are enormously abundant but we can't afford to let the numbers of quolls, devils etc, decline further. The cruelty of roadkill is very upsetting and confronting. Pls write to our federal Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek - every letter helps. Every road needs signage, tunnels, bridges, sonic deterrents - plus a huge campaign to change behaviours.
Absolutely beautiful and sad ...... well done guys, I cried for nearly a full 17 minutes 😢❤💔
Great vid! We live in Tassie and avoid driving at night. Driving 10mins to our local town we counted 36 recently killed animals on the road. We've pulled wombats, platypus, bettong, bandicoots, wallabies and possums off the road. It's devastating. Especially this time of the year when it's dry and they congregate along the roadside where there's green pick. Something must be done.
Thank you so much! We were the same, in other parts of Australia we'd often drive at night to get to hikes early in the morning but with Tassie we shifted to avoid driving at night as much as possible. That's so sad to hear, it's heartbreaking that there's so many in such a short distance. 😔
My Partner and I love watching your video's and we love Tasmania too. It always feels like home to us. My Mum knits and I crochet and we would love to make pouches for the rescued wildlife. How can we find out about the specifications for these? (Sizes etc)
Thank you! 💙 Oh that would be amazing of you both, ARC is great for organising crafts.
Here's a link to the ARC Craft Guild FaceBook group, they have all of the instructions/sizes documented here: facebook.com/groups/arfsncrafts/files/files. You can then just organise donating them in the FB group or on the ARC website.
They operate Australia-wide but if you're in Tassie there is a Tasmania specific FaceBook group which is lovely to follow as you get to see the little ones in the crafts you donate.
Thank you very much. Can't wait to get started!
My god..... i havent seen you guys in ages, i am so happy you guys are Healthy and okay. i dont know if you guys remember me, ill leave it up to you. Good luck on your Adventures! ❤
Thank you so much! That username really isn't giving us any clues 🤣
LlamaBapakKau how about that?@@lydiaandwehan
Now that username is more familiar!!! So great to hear from you. Hope you're going well also 💙
This is extremely sad….I know on our drive down to Port Arthur…around the peninsula…..a wet awful day….but oh my , we saw countless dead animals…it became our topic of conversation the whole trip back to the airport….I have seen this in Scotland, many animals just crossing our roads with no concept of what’s on them….driving slower might help….it’s so hard to say what to do…..but perhaps be more mindful of our animals out there…..
It's my second time. My sister and her family live there. On one journey to Hobart, I lost count 😢😢
What you both have done is NORMAL. It should not be considered unusual or heroic, it should be our natural state of existance. Humans are so DISCONNECTED from the reality that we SHARE THE EARTH with billions of other species. Well done on your kindness and your video demonstraing what normal looks like. I live on the Northern Beaches in NSW, Australia and the amount of animals hit by cars, and then run over and over again, because nobody feels inclined to be normal, and pick up a hit animal is mind blowing to me. I've lost count how many animals I've picked up. People will run their car over a Cockatoo until it's squashed into the road. Just wicked. What kind of human being thinks that is okay? People whingeing about possums in their roofs, brush turkeys in their gardens, the bitching and moaning about NATIVE ANIMALS in their own habitat... the disconnect is astounding.
Omg, someone actually swerved out of their way on purpose to hit an animal??? Just WHY???😢😢😢
I'm so glad you got the training and did all you could to help. ❤
I have just driven to the far south from Hobart. I swear there were 50 animal carcasses on the road.
😢 So sad. Our drive from Lake Binney to Lake St Clair a few weeks ago felt like we were stopping every minute.
@@lydiaandwehan I admire your commitment to this and well done on making this video and educating people about it.
Maybe off topic, but I was wondering how the Truma hot water unit is performing. Are you using it more now that you're in cooler weather.
The truma space/hot water heater is fantastic. We're really happy with it and it does a good job. We use it for hot water every shower now and used the space heater quite a few times during our time in Tassie when it got really cold. Definitely recommend. 😊
Too many tourists, wildlife displaced by housing and agriculture and a government so far up itself that doesn’t care!
Lived in Tassie nearly 20 years and the problem is getting worse!😢
What a beautiful video.
While it may be confronting to see dead wildlife on the road, it is a sign that there are wild populations.
Lots of work being done in other parts parts of Australia on wildlife ladders and tunnels to try and provide better options to cross roads, but wild animals will also be wild.
Thank you! Tasmania is so heavily integrated with its wildlife that some roadkill is unavoidable and we totally understand that. It's part of what makes Tasmania so special and incredible, the whole island is so immersed in that natural/wild beauty and wildlife is everywhere.
We've read that the government have done a few trials to try and reduce the amount of roadkill, including the tunnels you mentioned. Tasmania is so immersed in the wilderness though and wildlife now use the roads to navigate their way through the wild. Sadly, we don't believe there will ever be a solution that completely eliminates roadkill.
I think as travellers very little information is shared on the true scale of the roadkill issue and since wildlife/environmental beauty is the main draw for tourists to Tasmania it can be even more confronting. A lot of travellers would also have no idea what to do if they were ever in that position. Spreading awareness, trying to prevent the avoidable accidents and helping out the animals when possible is our message.
Tas seems to work on the theory of simply reducing speed limits. That only works if people adhere to it and unfortunately many do not.
Thank you so much legends, this is the reality of Australia... In every state and Tasmania just happens to be the worst for various reasons (and as the population increases, and destruction continues it will only be worse).
I love wild, natural Australia but I hate the actions (and lack there of) of the so called Australian population (more like mostly homo sapien parasites, with some true Australians).
I am just returning to Sydney after the 2024 Takayna Trail Event for the Bob Brown Foundation (I am a WIRES volunteer in the northern beaches). It is so hard for me to go anywhere in tasmania particularly, because there is as you know endless corpses and potential Joey's needing help (as well as need to remove bodies in case quolls or devil's become the next victim).
As you have stated, although some of the best people in Australia are in Tasmania... Many of the worst are also there too who are extremely cruel and stupid who purposefully murder wildlife and destroy their habitat. It all stems from successive governments (state and federal) of the exact same, abhorrent nature... So much needs to change and the extreme majority of the major city populations of Australia care for little bit their own enjoyment.
Thank you for making this doco and doing as you do!
There is actually a ridiculous amount of roadkill in Tas. I went for a walk yesterday and the smell was putrid...
Death certainly does have a smell 😬 Lucky Tassie has some of the freshest air in the world to counteract it 😉
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Because we don't have foxes or dingos, or any other large predators, it looks like we have more road kill, but when you're relying on small scavengers and birds to do the clean up, it looks like there is more than the mainland, but it's not really the case.
So many truths in this. Sadly since moving here my opinion of Tasmanians has taken a nose dive, with most not caring about their own state or wildlife one bit. Roadkill, logging, rubbish, everywhere and caused predominantly by Tasmanians. Being a "mainlander" we get a bad rep by Tasmanians, but by now I have my own slogan: the best Tasmanians were mainlanders.... We move here for nature, animals, environment. We seem to appreciate it more than most (so don't get upset) born and bred Tasmanians
Mainlanders will never be considered Tasmanians. You could live here for 50+ years and you'll still be a mainlander. And your self-righteous attitude is part of the reason why.
I can totally understand your perspective as unfortunately there is a bunch of people who really don't care about their beautiful state and the wildlife in it. Even walking over to check the pademelon with the dead joey, a driver noticed me walking over and purposely swerved into the other side of the road to hit her 😫
I think the bad things that people do is at the forefront and can seem like the majority. But thankfully with doing the rescue work we have met the beautiful Tasmanians who do really care about their state and work hard to protect it. Sadly a lot of those people and the beautiful work they do is quite hidden and 'behind the scenes'.
@@lydiaandwehan absolutely! Its a very intimidating minority that always has a go at the "greenies" or "tree huggers". Intimidating and/or abusive, which makes people think twice voicing concerns on environmental issues. Tasmania has a huge Redneck community, and thats where the problem lies. Roadside rubbish is another tasmanian issue little talked about. Don't think I've seen worse other than in Asia, especially taking into account the small population here
Sometimes people will run over an animal that has been hit to put it out of it's misery as there would be no hope of the animal surviving and it would be awful to prolong it's agony. Also we have lots of European wasps that tend to feast on these 'road kills' and if you go and pick the animal up you are in for a lot of pain as these wasps attack. I myself have stopped and had a look at something that has been hit and move it to the side of the road if it is dead, but I did hear that it is against the law as you could cause an accident by stopping, not sure if this is true.
This is unfortunate and we all wish it never happened but you've painted a picture that this only happens in tasmania. Road kill happens everywhere and 99% is accidental. Quite often animals will run off th road and last minute they dart back on.
We recognise that roadkill doesn't just happen in Tassie. This video was focused on our experience over the last 6 months in Tassie and the wildlife rescue journey we had here.
We definitely recognise that some roadkill is unavoidable and won't be completely eliminated but during our time driving in Tassie and doing the rescue work we see that there are a lot of deaths that are avoidable. Our focus here was to spread awareness, help prevent the deaths that can be avoided and educate so that animals aren't left suffering in the road. A lot of our recommendations at the end are focused on reducing the chances, supporting those who do help the wildlife or encouraging visitors to Tassie to equip themselves with the knowledge to help a suffering animal if they're ever in that situation.
I have just returned from 2 months in Tasmania. What a wonderful place! I agree, the amount of road kill is absolutely insane!!!! Totally unacceptable. Tasmanians have no respect for wildlife on the road.
Such a wonderful place! We hope you had an amazing 2 months. Was it your first time in Tassie?
The amount really shocked us too. You hear the title roadkill capital of the world but don't quite grasp the scale of it until you see it first hand. While some of it is unavoidable sadly a lot of those deaths are avoidable.
It can feel that way for sure, but there's a lot of Tasmanians who really do respect and care for their wildlife and beautiful state, that hard work is often just 'behind the scenes'. But, there is also a group of people who don't care and it can feel like a losing battle because of them.
The roadkill is evidence of the abundance and health of the native animal population, If you didn't see it then it is a time to be concerned.
When I moved here in 1995 you hardly saw any roadkill, and what you did see were rabbits - because there was a healthy population of Tassie Devils that cleaned up the carcasses very quickly. If you think it's bad here, go check out rural Queensland. Not just small animals but full size kangaroos and cows lying on the roadside. I don't know how Tassie got the title of roadkill capital but I don't believe it for a minute. I drove to Hobart and back a little over a week ago and saw none. At least the paddocks here are mostly fenced. In Queensland you risk your life on rural roads because most are not. Finding yourself on a fully dark road with a cow suddenly appearing in front of you? No thanks. Some people swerve to kill any animal they see, those people need to be pedestrians more often and they are a particular type of human. Building corridors and tunnels under roads for wildlife is one great solution but getting them to use it is a whole different ballgame. Sometimes it's impossible to avoid them, they run straight at you and even birds will fly away then straight back at your vehicle. Night-time travel is the real danger zone and you can't see them until it's too late. I still remember the first time I accidentally hit a rabbit, I was devastated. I know it's hard to see, but mother nature never wastes anything. The death of an animal is the food source of another. I have driven with people who will swerve dangerously and slam on the brakes to avoid an animal - that is called dangerous driving and they risk their lives doing it. There is a happy medium there somewhere but I don't know what it is. I don't drive at night, maybe that is one solution but trucks stop for no man - or animal.
The only thing i dont like about Tasmania is once you've seen it, it makes the rest of Australia seem horrible.
Roadkill is a reflection of the health and abundance of the native populace.
Tasmania has such an abundance of wildlife and people live in such close proximity to the wilderness that yes roadkill is unavoidable in some circumstances. While we're not experts on the matter, roadkill doesn't seem to be a reflection of the health and abundance of the native populance but a byproduct of it.
Sadly a huge majority of the deaths and injuries to animals are avoidable as we've experienced working as rescuers and driving on Tasmanian roads for 6+ months. We recognise roadkill will never be completely eliminated, we're just trying to spread awareness (particularly to visitors to Tasmania who have very little knowledge on the scale of wildlife/roadkill) to help prevent the deaths that can be avoided and so that animals aren't left suffering in the road. Also to let people know how they can help injured/orphaned animals.
Yes, but lots is still avoidable
i gather you didnt get to hear about "black bobs" or the missing or dead tourists. im also gathering you dont know about the sheer volume of wildlife and what a problem it presents.
saving a lot of pests
Native animals are not pests. Humans are.
both are @@jayg1803
yes they are, thats why there are culls and thousands are terminated, this includes wholly protected species@@jayg1803
Sorry but I call bull shit as no one would hit an echidna as they would get a flat tyre straight away
We don't understand the logic either 🙃 Not something we'd lie about but happy for you to DM us on instagram and I can send you the rescue request we received if you'd like.
Thank you for sharing such a beautiful spiritual land. I was in Tasmania in 2015 when I started my big lap so now, I have some new places to go back to as next year I get the age pension and I'm going to spend more time exploring. I was very touched by this video especially being a compassionate vegan my empathy goes out to all animals that have been enslaved tortured and slaughtered for humans to have a few moments of pleasure costing that whole animal's life. I never drive after dusk and before dawn for that exact reason and it's a shame that so many people are environmentally unconscious, and do not realise the consequences of their actions; anyway, good luck in your travels and hopefully the retirement age won't be over 70 when it comes to your turn 🤣😂💕✌PS. My TH-cam channel is called Living Free In My RV...
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