International Day of Non-Violence: Who Stands Up for the Wild?
Today, the world marks the International Day of Non-Violence—a day to reflect on peace, compassion, and the rejection of harm. But at Amaris Wildlife Sanctuary, we ask: Who stands up for the wild? Who defends the emu chicks run down on a dirt road, their tiny bodies left broken and bleeding? Who speaks for the kangaroo tied behind a car, dragged in agony while laughter echoed from the front seat? Who cares for the possum shot with an air rifle, the duck pierced by a homemade arrow, the flying fox riddled with BB pellets?
Just yesterday, I found a rabbit in my backyard—shot in the thigh. Alone. Bleeding. How long did it suffer before it died? How long did it lie there, frightened and in pain, while the world carried on?
These are not rare events. They are happening across Australia—quietly, brutally, and often without consequence.
A kangaroo was filmed being dragged 400 metres behind a car in Victoria. The driver laughed as the animal struggled.
Wild ducks were shot with homemade arrows on the Sunshine Coast. One had to be euthanized due to the severity of its injuries.
A brushtail possum had its eye removed after being shot with an air rifle.
A flying fox was found with BB gun wounds.
A caged cat was shot at point-blank range by a Rebels bikie member.
Three miners were fined for bashing a pigeon with a golf club.
Multiple wedge-tailed eagles were shot dead on a NSW property.
Hundreds of birds were found dead outside a Melbourne shopping centre.
A wombat was stoned to death by tourists.
A kangaroo was beaten with a metal pole and left to die in bushland.
These are not accidents. They are acts of violence. And while violence against humans rightly draws outrage, violence against wildlife too often slips through the cracks—dismissed, ignored, or met with a slap on the wrist.
At Amaris, we believe non-violence must extend to all living beings. Every joey, every possum, every bird, every reptile deserves safety, dignity, and protection. Their suffering is real. Their lives matter.
We call for:
Stricter penalties for wildlife cruelty, with real enforcement and public accountability.
Mandatory education in schools about empathy and ethical treatment of animals.
Community reporting systems that empower people to speak up when they witness harm.
Recognition of wildlife violence as a serious offence—not a minor infraction.
Support for carers and sanctuaries who bear the emotional and financial cost of healing the wounded.
Violence against wildlife is not just a conservation issue—it’s a moral one. It reflects who we are, what we value, and how we treat those who cannot fight back.
So today, on the International Day of Non-Violence, we ask you to stand with us. Speak for the silent. Protect the vulnerable. And help build a world where no creature is left to suffer alone.
Because at Amaris, we believe in hope. We believe in healing. And we believe that love—real, active, protective love—is the only antidote to violence.
Sources: ABC News – Animal cruelty cases rising in Queensland 9News – Animal cruelty headlines
This is Peece. A critically endangered Western Ringtail Possum (Pseudocheirus occidentalis), left for dead in the middle of the road. He didn’t die peacefully—he died violently. Peece reminds us that peace is not just a word—it’s a promise we must keep for those who cannot speak.