EVEREST CLIMB TO CONSERVE BILBIES

Anna Hartley 4th July 2013

 

Bilby in hand, Pasang Tenzig and Frank McCarthy reminisced about the strange way in which they had met.

Pasang Tenzig, son of Mt Everest climber Tashi Tenzig, was at Ipswich Nature Centre in Queen’s Park yesterday catching up with old friend and co-founder of the ‘Save the Bilby Fund’ Frank Manthey.

Mr Tenzig was 8 years old when he asked his father to take a soft toy bilby with him to the top of Mt Everest in order to promote protection of the endangered native animal.

When Mr Manthey heard of the young boy's actions he said he just had to meet him.

“I first heard of Pasang’s story while reading his father’s book and I couldn’t believe it,” he said.

“It takes a special person for someone as young as that to want to conserve what we’ve got here.”

The pair met at a volunteer expo in Sydney and have been firm friends ever since.

“It has been great seeing him again,” Mr Manthey said.

Now 22, Mr Tenzig still has an affinity with animals and is current studying marine biology.

“I love bilbies, still do,’ he said.

“I hope to continue to raise awareness for all Australian native animals.”

He believes everyone can play a part in preserving the nation’s endangered species.

“Anyone can help look after our native animals, endangered species like the bilby need our support,” he said.

Both Mr Tenzig and Mr Manthey hope the bilby will become the ambassador for all endangered species.

“The bilby is a beautiful animal, and is something worth protecting,” Mr Manthey said.

Mr Tenzig plans to continue to support the conservation of native Australian wildlife while researching the effects of climate change on the Great Barrier Reef later in the year.