Bloodied and twisted grotesquely after being hit by a car on Magnetic Island , this Curlew , known by the name Green Ants , about to be buried. The unusual name is due to the fact that as a young , distressed chick , it was found by a well known wildlife carer , its eyes filled with Green Ants . Put in the care of the German Queen of the Jungle , who applied cream to its closed eyes , they finally opened after weeks , one sightless. By talking to and feeding the bird , it came to answer to the name .
A year later , it is run down in Nelly Bay by a car , the driver of which cuts corners and speeds. Corner cutting is a common driver fault on the island . When noticed missing , what looked like a piece of banana frond on the side of the road was found to be Green Ants.
People coming to the island from Townsville by ferry are treated to videos about the flora and fauna , the accent on sexy koalas , wallabies , turtles.
The fact that Magnetic Island probably has one of the largest colonies of Curlews in Australia is not highlighted , the bird almost wiped out in parts of Australia where it once roamed . Therefore they should be protected as much as possible , signs warning of their presence erected in areas where they are known to congregate , feral cats and stray dogs removed promptly . There is an enormous burden being placed on a small band of carers on the island in respect of all wildlife . The Queensland Government needs to do something-pronto . The situation was pointed out months ago, but there was no response from government. Businesses which hire out cars and motor scooters to visitors on the island could help by alerting people about wildlife in general which could stray on the road , flutter down from trees. MORE TO COME .
