History of ‘Healthy Wildlife, Healthy Lives’ – A One Health Project
The ‘Healthy Wildlife, Healthy Lives’ – A One Health Project began as the idea of two Murdoch University researchers, Professor Andrew Thompson and Associate Professor Alan Lymbery. They are both volunteers at wildlife rehabilitation centres and could see first-hand the impact parasitic disease has on wildlife. Concerned about these impacts, they resolved to educate the community on how parasitic disease may be spread from people and pets to wildlife.
Murdoch University established a partnership with the Eastern Metropolitan Regional Council (EMRC) on the project. The EMRC is a progressive and innovative regional local government working on behalf of six member Councils located in Perth’s Eastern Region. The EMRC was chosen by Murdoch University to lead the project because of its expertise with community engagement, communication and education.
The EMRC sought support from Lotterywest through a grant application submitted in 2015. Lotterywest is the only lottery in Australia where money raised from the sale of Lotterywest Games is distributed directly to the WA community through grants.
The project is initially being trialled in Perth’s Eastern Region. Murdoch University is hoping to extend the project to other regions, and even Australia wide!