QBE Australia has raised a total of $12,173.95 through its annual Birds for Good campaign, which will benefit the wildlife conservation efforts of its partner, Taronga Conservation Society Australia.
According to QBE, its campaign focuses on a different bird-related theme each year to highlight the importance of conserving birdlife. Due to the catastrophic bushfires of 2019-2020, the insurer chose the theme of “Birdlife Bounce Back” for this year.
The bushfires are estimated to have killed over 180 million birds, including threatened species such as the Regent Honeyeater, Eastern Bristlebirds and Glossy Black Cockatoos. This event has exacerbated the wildlife crisis in Australia.
The Birds for Good campaign ran throughout the month of October. The public was encouraged to donate through the QBE-sponsored free-flight bird show at Taronga Zoo Sydney. The exhibit was able to raise $6,086.97, which will be matched dollar-for-dollar by QBE for a total of $12,173.95.
The proceeds will be directed to the Taronga Foundation and will help fund important projects, including Taronga’s breeding efforts and restoring resilient landscapes for the critically endangered Regent Honeyeater - one of Taronga’s eleven legacy species.
“The Black Summer bushfires were devastating for Australia’s wildlife, with many birds, animals, and their natural habitat destroyed,” said Sara Foale, chief marketing officer of QBE. “We’re incredibly proud of our 15-year partnership with the Taronga Conservation Society and have huge respect for the work they do. We’re pleased that, once again, the iconic QBE Free-flight Bird Show proved to be a huge success and we were able to match the generous donations made by the show’s visitors.”
