Glencore helps feed feathered and furry friends at Billabong Sanctuary

Glencore is providing funding for Townsville's Billabong Sanctuary to help the popular tourist destination recover from the impacts of COVID-19.

The donation of $10,000 from the company's Copper Refinery in Townsville will provide food for the unique Australian wildlife residing at the sanctuary.

Billabong Sanctuary Director Bob Flemming says the animal sanctuary was struggling financially following its closure for three months due to COVID-19.

"Glencore has made a very generous donation to assist with feeding over 200 animals across 75 species with specialised dietary requirements," says Bob.

"The Townsville Copper Refinery has been a long-term supporter of the Billabong Sanctuary and in 2016 they sponsored the semi-arid desert display featuring the threatened Greater Bilby."

"This support enabled a captive breeding program for this threatened species, contributing to a release program in the wild in an area protected from predators."

"Glencore has also assisted in upgrading and improving both the koala enclosures and the echidna display," Bob says.

Billabong Sanctuary reopened in late June this year, in time for the school holidays after being forced to close for three months.

Manager of Glencore's Copper Refinery Paul Taylor says Glencore has been privileged to be able to continue to operate throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

"While mining has been identified by government as an essential service, we are fully aware that this has not been the case for many Townsville businesses and we feel a responsibility to give back to the community that has supported us for many years," says Paul.

"Partnering with Billabong Sanctuary allows us to help a long-established and popular local Eco Park to move forward after an extended closure."

"It's a great venue that we have been proud to partner with successfully on a number of occasions in the past," Paul says.