About 20 years ago Bruce Englefield and his wife made the spur of the moment decision to buy a wildlife park on the East Coast.
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The pair had been encouraged to visit Tasmania by a friend in the UK who knew of Dr Englefield's love of animals.
They quickly fell in love with the people and after seeing a Tasmanian Devil decided to make the move down-under.
Now after 21 years of conservation and research work Dr Englefield is being honoured with an Order of Australia medal.
AUSTRALIA DAY 2021 IN NORTHERN TASMANIA:
"I am very grateful for the way I have been helped by the huge number of people who have shown a tremendous generosity of Australian spirit and generosity of time and indeed generosity of money in helping me with all the things I have managed to achieve," Dr Englefield said.
"Not the least the support of my wonderful wife. She was obviously like me - as she is part of it - I could not have achieved what I have achieved without her.
"One of the proudest moments in our lives was when we managed to get Australian citizenship and now to be given this it is the same feeling of pride in the wonderful country that we thoroughly enjoy and love living in."
At age 78 Dr Englefield could be forgiven for stepping back from his conservation work but he is still heavily involved in his labour of love.
Dr Englefield's contribution to conservation
- Chief Executive Officer, Devil Island Project, 2008-2018.
- Post Graduate Researcher, University of Sydney, Faculty of Veterinary Science, 2016-2020.
- Developer, Roadkill Reporter App, 2019.
- Owner, East Coast Natureworld, 2001-2011.
- President, Wildlife Institute of Tasmania, 2004-2006.
- Owner and practitioner, Animal Behaviour Centre, 1995-2001.
- Member, International Society of Pet Behaviour Counsellors, since 1998.
- Chartered Member, Institute of Animal Care Education, since 1994.
Last year he completed his PhD in veterinary science and he is currently working on a way to protect wildlife from cars on the road.
"My thesis was all to do with roadkill and it's effects - how it affects people, how it affects animals, how it affects the environment," he said.
"And hoping that perhaps I can contribute in a small way. At the moment I am researching virtual fences to see if they can be modified to make them work in most situations."
Dr Englefield operates the Australian Roadkill reporting project, www.roadkillreporter.com.au/reports but will soon need someone to help due to financial cost.
Australians can be involved by downloading the free associated app 'Roadkill Reporter' from GooglePlay or the Appstore.
"I am trying to get a university interested it is set up, it is running, it is getting the data in but somebody needs to manage it and pay for the hosting of the website and various other things," he said.
"That is my next challenge to see if I can get the [University of Tasmania] interested in some way.
"The Australian, particularly Tasmanian, animals are unique and we really do need to look after them the best we can."
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Jackson Worthington
General news reporter with a special interest in social justice, the economy and family violence. Jackson.Worthington@austcommunitymedia.com.au
General news reporter with a special interest in social justice, the economy and family violence. Jackson.Worthington@austcommunitymedia.com.au
