In a bold move to raise awareness for the plight of Koala and its habitat, Australian Koala Foundation (AKF) Chair Deborah Tabart OAM will transform into a Palm Cockatoo named Palmy. From August 23rd until 30th September, Tabart will embody the character of Palmy, speaking on behalf of all animals affected by the destruction of Koala habitat.
Driven by a deep-seated anger at the suffering of countless creatures, Tabart has found a powerful voice in the persona of Palmy. Through this transformation, she aims to shine a spotlight on the ruthless destruction of Koala habitat and the subsequent demise of all animals that dwell within it.
"For over 36 years I've tried to speaking up for the Koala as Deborah, a human advocate for creatures great and small. But, for all those years I've seen good science and mapping ignored. I've seen countless letters go unanswered. It's clear to me now that our wildlife need an animal advocate," Palmy said. "Palmy has given me a platform to tell the stories of those who cannot speak for themselves. By embodying the spirit of the Palm Cockatoo, I hope to connect with the people of Australia on an emotional level and inspire them to take action to protect our precious wildlife."
As Palmy, Tabart will share personal stories about the devastating consequences of habitat destruction on Australian wildlife. With a touch of humour and a deep-rooted passion, she will bring attention to the urgent need for a Koala Protection Act to be enacted.
The emergence of Palmy is a prelude to the Koala Army's March for Creatures Great and Small in Canberra on September 1st, the first day of Save the Koala Month. Tabart, as Palmy, will lead the march in a joyous celebration of all wildlife, underpinned by a strong call for Koala habitat to be protected by law. Alongside Palmy, a series of animated characters have been created by the AKF to speak on behalf of the animal community. The original characters are being released week-by-week in a series of videos on the AKF social media channels. Australia can look forward to meeting the likes of Ernie the Echidna, Majorie the Magpie and Glenda the Glider.
