It
is with incredible sadness that I write this tribute to Lance
Ferris - my friend and fellow wildlife carer - who died on Sunday
14th of October 2007 after suffering a major stroke.
After
issuing instructions about the pelican that needed Ivomec, the
turtle that needed squid and the two turtles that were tagged
and ready for release, Lance passed away in the arms of Marny
Bonner, his long time partner and co-founder of Australian Seabird
Rescue.
I
heard the very sad news of Lance's passing while working in
remote Queensland on the Northern Hairy-Nosed Wombat Recovery
Project. Life truly does deliver earth shattering lows and awesome
highs - two personal major events in my life at each end of
the emotional extreme that were tightly woven together.
Hidden
away in an middle of no where there was no internet access and
I found it very difficult to grasp the news that Lance had gone.
I struggled with the idea of never speaking with him again and
I felt so alone as I had nobody to share my grief with.
I
was deeply saddened that I couldn't attend Lance's Memorial
Service at ASR head quarters in Ballina NSW, but returning to
"civilisation" I have now had the chance to talk to
Marny and I feel more at ease - Marny told me that I was exactly
where Lance would have wanted me to be. I take comfort in that.
The
wildlife community will keenly feel the loss of Lance - he was
a true Wildlife Warrior, a man who has done so much for wildlife
and habitat conservation. He has brazenly paved the way for
what we as wildlife conservationists hope to aspire too.
My
thoughts and deepest sympathy go to Marny and to Rochelle and
Jason, Lance's daughter and son.
This
tribute to such an amazing man is a very personal one. I find
it difficult to write something that speaks purely of the man
and the amazing work he has done. Lance was my friend for one
short year but I will treasure his friendship forever.
And
so, the moment of Lance I choose to remember is that of a pelican
release that Lance and I did in August at his home in Ballina.
With
a gulp of sea water and a wiggle of his tail the pelican sailed
into the estuary - the final farewell.
Good-bye
Lance.
