Easter in Australia
In Australia, a unique tradition has been gaining momentum during the Easter celebrations: the Easter Bilby. Unlike other countries, where the rabbit is the main symbol of the holiday, Australians have adopted the bilby, a native marsupial, as the "carrier" of Easter eggs. The choice of the bilby is directly linked to the negative impact of rabbits on the Australian fauna. Considered a pest, rabbits have invaded vast areas of the territory, damaging local vegetation and threatening native species, such as the bilby, which is at risk of extinction.
The campaign to replace the rabbit with this marsupial began in the 1990s, as a way to raise awareness among the population about the preservation of native fauna and the importance of protecting the bilby. Today, the Easter bilby is a symbol of resilience and environmental conservation, and its image is widely used on chocolates, toys and other Easter decorations.
In addition, several Australian organisations use the holiday to raise funds for conservation programmes, promoting the bilby as an icon of local nature. In many cities, Easter is marked by events celebrating biodiversity, with children taking part in egg hunts and learning about the importance of protecting native animals.
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