Road awareness the aim of new sticker initiative

LOCAL wildlife rescuer Jason Cichocki is trialling a new approach to spread wildlife awareness on the region’s roads in a bid to decrease the number of kangaroo rescues.

Mr Cichocki estimates he conducts five to 10 rescues each day, and hopes a new sticker initiative, produced in partnership with Community Bank Surf Coast, will help keep the region’s wildlife at the forefront of driver’s minds.

“It’s getting out of hand,” Mr Cichocki said.

“We’re now covering a couple different shires from Lorne up to Forrest and even as far out as Bannockburn and Inverleigh.

“But it’s about raising awareness and reminding residents, and visitors, that we do have wildlife close to our roads.”

The “Slow Down” wheelie bin stickers and bumper stickers can be purchased at Lorne Community Bank and Anglesea Community Bank, costing $10 and $2 respectively, with all money going to Surfcoast Wildlife Rescue.

Fellow rescuer and Aireys Inlet resident Jacqui Lamont came up with the idea after hearing the number of rescues being completed across the region, and with a $500 donation from Community Bank Surf Coast has had more stickers produced.

“Jason is very well-known in Aireys Inlet, Lorne, Anglesea and the Surf Coast, he’s always the man to call,” Community Bank marketing lead Kelly Turner said.

“I’m constantly sharing his number with other residents so my biggest input to those living in the area is to put his phone number in your phone, and hopefully this new initiative can assist with that.”

Mr Cichocki is hopeful wildlife rescue numbers will decrease once stickers are purchased, in addition to the virtual fencing trial now taking place on Forrest Road, Anglesea.

The virtual fence is activated by headlights and emit sounds and light stimuli to alert animals something is approaching and warn them away from the road.

“In the month and a half the trial has been running, we’ve noticed a massive difference in the way kangaroos are reacting now,” Mr Cichocki said.

“However, given the fact that it is a trial, I’m not going to see any data until 12 months is up and then we can compare numbers with the five years of previous data we have collected in the past on Forrest Road.”

Mr Cichocki said in addition to purchasing a Slow Down sticker, donations to Surfcoast Wildlife Rescue are always welcome. Donations can be made to BSB: 013-839 ACC no. 2534-82933.

To contact Mr Cichocki, phone 0422 048 557.