A Tasmanian devil’s bloodied remnants were held up during a discussion on decreasing the speed limits on local roads, shocking local council members.
During a meeting in Tasmania’s northwest on Thursday, Melissa Wells challenged the Circular Head Council, claiming to be a “representative” for the well-known marsupials of the region.
Ms. Wells was seen on camera at the packed conference holding aloft the roadkill corpse of a Tasmanian devil in the horrific protest.
Why won’t you help rescue my lives? I’m here speaking on behalf of the Tasmanian devils because they lack a voice. stated Ms. Wells.
Mayor Gerald Blizzard pleaded with her to stop and threatened to expel her as she approached the council members while carrying the bloody corpse.
No, I’m sorry. This is upsetting, but it’s something we have to deal with every day.
Although Mayor Blizzard repeatedly told her to leave, she ultimately made her way back to her seat carrying the bloodied cadaver.
Council members were debating whether to lower the speed limit on a notorious 25-kilometer section of local road from 100 to 80.
With approximately 100 of the carnivorous marsupials being murdered there each year, the Woolnorth and West Montagu roads are notorious for their Tassie Devil roadkill horror.
The carnage has also increased because to hoons traveling at up to 160 km/h on the highway.
Ms. Wells often travels 30 kilometers to remove roadkill from the roadway while caring for her crippled brother.
As the marsupials’ population along the road declines, Ms. Wells told Daily Mail Australia that she is disappointed by the lack of action taken by local governments.
She stated, “Our local council and administration have been informed and sit on their hands while they are slowly being slaughtered.”
I initially brought a demon to a local council meeting ten years ago, but nothing happened. I’ve been trying to persuade the government to listen for years.
“I visited lawmakers’ offices and sent letters, but nothing happened,” the speaker said.
A request to lower the speed limit on the state’s northernmost route was defeated last month, but it was approved on Thursday.
Deputy Mayor Mark Dabner proposed a proposal to slow down traffic.
Six council members voted in favor of the cut, while just three against it; members will now ask the state government for permission, according to the ABC.
Ms. Wells said that she is in favor of the change but would like that the speed be reduced to 65 km/h from dark to dawn to reduce nighttime speeding.
‘Lots in the community don’t care, unfortunately we have loads of rednecks, and the roadkill is the reason [the devils] come on the road to start with and then they have no opportunity to escape the traffic,’ the sign reads.
She said that while the slow-moving demons were eating on corpses or just crossing to the opposite side, drivers had reached speeds of 160 km/h.
It’s just becoming so sad, and if we don’t stop it right now, there won’t be any more demons, she added.
The council will keep working to reduce the amount of roadkill in the region, according to Mayor Blizzard.
According to him, “Council has already extensively invested in a system of virtual fence and safety signs along these roadways.”
And via the Circular Head Roadkill Mitigation Working Group, “we continue to engage with our community on further methods to safeguard our Tasmanian devils.”
»During a council meeting, activist Melissa Wells presents a dead Tasmanian«