Safe Haven AACE
So, who are Safe Haven AACE?
Australian Animals Care and Education Inc. (AACE Inc.) is a not for profit organisation dedicated to the protection and enhancement of our natural environment. Since its foundation in July 2003, AACE Inc. has played an active role in the rescue and rehabilitation of injured, ill and orphaned wildlife and provided ongoing support and assistance to its many volunteer wildlife carers. AACE Inc. also manages a number of captive breeding programs and partners with government authorities, universities and zoological institutions to conduct vital research on Australian wildlife, with emphasis on endangered species.
AACE Inc. has been operating in the Central Queensland Coast region for over 17 years, continuing to keep it’s doors open for sick and displaced wildlife despite an ongoing struggle with devastating natural disasters and limited funding. Initially associated with the rehabilitation of injured wildlife, AACE Inc. has facilitated native animal husbandry and captive breeding support for the Queensland Government for endangered species including the Bridled Nailtail Wallaby and Southern Hairy-nosed Wombat.
AACE, and the critical life-saving work they do on the frontline of conservation, is the direct result of founder Tina Janssen’s commitment to our native wildlife. Tina had a passion for and started her care of native wildlife from an early age. Studying human health science and natural medicine, which provided her with a better understanding of anatomy, physiology and nutrition, Tina moved to Central QLD well equipped to begin her journey working with endangered animals in remote communities. As part of the Gladstone community, Tina became aware of the need for an organisation that could support remote carers, particularly specialising in marsupial care - thus the kernel of an idea for an organisation such as AACE Inc was formed. With a Certificate IV in Captive Animals and a Certificate IV in Trainer Assessors, TinaI worked as a zookeeper at Rockhampton Zoo before going on to set up her own wombat research in partnership with The University of Queensland. Upon leaving Rockhampton Zoo in 2007, Tina was still partnered with The University of Queensland and set about creating a unique facility for wombat research, moving to the Gladstone region in 2012 where AACE is currently still operating.
Australian Animals Care and Education Inc. is dedicated to the protection and enhancement of our natural environment operating under a strong, driving mission statement…
Extinction is forever.
As founder Tina Janssen has made clear, there is no turning back from extinction. It is more important than ever that organisations such as these receive the support they need to continue their vital conservation work with Australian wildlife.
AACE’s key focus area is endangered and vulnerable species, including the research and breeding of native animals. As the species most in need of saving before they disappear, AACE’s research helps to provide more understanding of the vulnerable species' fundamental biology and behaviour. Tina and her team have identified this as a majoritively under researched area for Australian native wildlife and, with the information they gather from research, they are able to develop and provide greater care strategies for our native animals.
Organisations such as AACE Inc. play a huge role in the future of our native wildlife in Australia, facilitating native animal husbandry and captive breeding for endangered species that would otherwise go extinct. In addition to a successful program in partnership with the Queensland Government breeding the Bridled Nailtail Wallaby, AACE has allowed researchers to make huge advancements in wombat research. Over the last 10 years, AACE Inc. has worked in partnership with researchers at The University of Queensland to establish a ground-breaking wombat breeding and research centre that has resulted in the publication of nearly 30 peer-reviewed journal papers on wombats, and become the most successful captive breeding facility of wombats in the world.
Not only has AACE established a facility for researching endangered Australian wildlife, they also provide on the ground support to carers of sick and injured wildlife in the Central Queensland Coast region. Day to day AACE operates as both a research facility and support system ensuring that extinction is not an option for our endangered Australian animals.
You can help!
Organisations like AACE don’t run themselves and there are plenty of costs associated with keeping the animals in captivity and their carers well looked after. There are multiple ways you can support them (some don’t cost a cent!) and the important work they do. Here’s our top three ideas:
One of the most impactful ways you assist AACE is by donating directly to them. You can do this by clicking the button below. All donations are Tax deductible for Australian citizens. The organisation is always in need of vouchers for fuel, maintenance and food to keep the operation running day to day so your money would go towards this!
As an eco-focused brand telling stories about Australian animals, Tales from Sanctuary City is committed to partnering with and supporting organisations including AACE, Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary and Summerland Camels. A percentage of all purchases from our store goes directly to these not for profits so that they can continue to operate. Not only will you some get totally awesome merch, you will also be giving back to a great cause close to our hearts!
A really simple way to help raise awareness for AACE and all the amazing work they do is to give them a shout out on your social media! Sharing one of their posts or writing your own about the organisation will do wonders for their cause. Luckily there a tonnes of totally adorable baby wombat videos for you to share on their facebook page linked below!
AACE is totally run by volunteers so if you have time to donate then they can always use an extra set of hands! Get in contact with them via their website (linked below) to find out more.
AACE is a unique organisation in that they not only provide care for the native animals at their sanctuary but also to the carers in central Queensland. Under their permit they are able to rescue and rehabilitate hundreds of animals every year by harnessing the power of the community around them and providing the support required. Without the incredible work of Tina and the whole team at AACE, the world would still know very little about our native furry friends on the brink of extinction.
To see more irresistibly cute pics of life at the sanctuary and find out more about AACE just visit their website, facebook or instagram pages and show some love for a great cause!
Go follow their incredible work!
Instagram: @aace_safehaven
Facebook: Safe Haven - AACE
Website: https://www.aace.org.au/