MITCH WINS A WHITLEY

Mitch stars on the shirt of his creator Kerry Cooper (front) at the Whitley Awards. Back from left: Mark Caddey, Taronga Zoo's Education Manager who presented the award, Leonie Gale, Executive Officer of the Foundation for National Parks & Wildlife, and Michael Murphy (DEC) who managed the project.

Mitch the Rainforest Snail Teacher Resource Book has been awarded the prestigious Whitley Award for Best Childrens’ Publication. The book, funded by the Foundation for National Parks & Wildlife, teaches children about the need to conserve the 99% of Australia’s native wildlife that are invertebrates. Invertebrate idol, Mitch the endangered Mitchell’s Rainforest Snail, was selected by NPWS scientist, Michael Murphy, to star in the book.

The Royal Zoological Society of New South Wales hosts the Whitley Awards every year at the Australian Museum in Sydney. First presented in 1979, these awards are a tribute to Gilbert Whitley, an eminent Australian ichthyologist. The awards are presented for outstanding publications that contain a significant amount of information relating to the fauna of the Australasian region.

Read all about the book in PAWS issue No 2

Read the Recovery plan for the Mitchell’s Rainforest Snail put out by the Department of Conservation (National Parks)

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