WHO ARE THESE WATCHMEN OF THE ANIMAL KINGDOM?
The Fauna Fighter's is a voluntary movement spearheaded by masked adventurers The Thylacine and Flying Fox to bring assistance to animals in need and to highlight environmental and civic issues.
Influenced by the Real Life Superhero movement, Thylacine and Flying Fox go under the title of 'Costumed Activists and eco-vigilantes.'
(Photo by Terrence C Photography)
"The term Real Life 'Superhero' doesn't fit me, Thylacine has often stated, "because I am not a hero, and I'm definitely not super...I'm just a regular, flawed person trying to move forwards in a positive way and hopefully inspire change'.
The activities that these eco-vigilantes spearhead include:
. Helping to find lost pets by assisting families in publicizing lost family animals.
. Helping to find homes for animals which would otherwise
be put down.
. Collecting blankets, food and toys for sheltered animals.
. Volunteering at our local no-kill shelter.
. Publicizing animal rights/welfare and battling against
animal cruelty, fighting the disgraceful practice of puppy
farming, intensive farming and animal testing.
. Cleaning up our parks, playgrounds and civic areas of litter.
. Raising awareness of urban wildlife and their habitat.
. Cleaning up our beaches.
. Raising awareness of Environmental calamity.
All donations go to our featured organizations
“We’re not super powered beings of any ethical superiority who believe that they can save the world through being extraordinarily amazing..." Thylacine states, "...we're not able to fly or see through walls. We're ordinary, everyday humans. We're wearing these costumes to transcend our own fragile beings and to stand tall and proud as defenders of the animal kingdom, and of the earth. It may be silly to some, but we want to better the world, to better ourselves, to make up for our past apathy and to offer the public something to believe in other than the hustle and bustle of the workaday life..."
FAUNA FIGHTERS FAQAre You Crazy?
A little bit yes. We don't exactly wish to conform to social norms, so if that makes us crazy...well *shrugs caped shoulders*.
You only get one life. Be what you want to be. If that includes a costumed activist, then so be it.
What's wrong with the term Real Life Superhero?
Nothing. If you feel comfortable with it. The truth is that we don't. We, like everyone else have gone through our ups and downs in life. We've done well, and we've let ourselves and our communities down. We're human. We'd all like to be able to present that wonderfully moral superhero archetype, but it doesn't exist. Nobody is perfect. If anything, we're running around in masks and capes to give back to the community, not to ask for a title of either 'super' or 'hero'. Costumed adventurer/activist is a much better a term for us, and in our own humble opinion the masked adventurer community in general.
Do you consider yourselves a part of the RLSH community?
Well, if such amazing people would care to have us, sure. We were directly inspired by folks like Shadow-Hare, Superhero, Captain Ozone, Zetaman and our very own Captain Australia. Though we prefer the handle of masked adventures, we greatly respect the community of RLSH's.
Do you fight crime hand to hand?
No, as this is very dangerous, not to mention a job handled well by our nations fine police forces, who deserve all the respect and admiration in the world. We believe in raising community spirit through our charitable works. However, we do patrol regularly and will report any suspicious behaviour to the police, as should all citizens.
Do you have jobs?
Yes. We have day-jobs and 'secret identities' if you will. It's a necessity if you wish to eat.
Are you _______ that guy/girl I used to go to school with?
Ah, the asking masked people who they really are bit. We believe that as regular individuals and citizens striving for a better world we should remain nameless and faceless so that it is the charity itself which receives the most attention, not the two eccentrics who have publicized it. We became costumed adventurers to inspire other people, but really neither of us cares about our citizen identities being credited with anything. Our daily personas are everyday folks, just like everyone else. And just like everyone else, we're flawed and imperfect. It's Thylacine and Flying Fox who do the real work. Thylacine and Flying Fox are ideas, and as a great man once said, ideas are bulletproof. We have all the right in the world to remain anonymous if we wish.
I hate you, I think you're stupid and will beat you up if I see you.
Not a question perse- BUT...we'll answer it anyway.
If you wish to beat up people who want nothing else but to assist their community in charitable efforts, so be it. Only you can channel said anger into something positive. We hope you do. We did, and we feel great about our decision.
What gives you the right to tell the world how to live?
Nothing.
Nothing at all. We're all guilty of contributing to the damage our world has suffered, socially and environmentally. The Fauna Fighters are the first to raise their hands to admit guilt. Guilt that they've failed as citizens, animal lovers, environmentalists and neighbours. The reason we started this is to make up for our past mistakes and to try our hardest to live to the standard our human race and planet earth deserve. We're asking you to join us, to throw off the shackles of apathy and to forget the mistakes of yesterday by making the choice to live anew TODAY. In short, we're all in this together and you are no lesser or better than two eccentrics in capes and masks. No matter who or where you are, today is the day you can make that transformation.
Are you a religious thing?
Well, Thylacine has his spiritual beliefs, Flying Fox her own, but no. Fauna Fighter's is not linked to any particular religion or church. We're known to assist in charities connected to religious organizations, but we are not a religious movement.
If I make a costume, and it's really cool and I work hard...can I join you?
The answer to this is yes. If you're a costumed activist over the age of 18 and realistic about what can be done to help our world for the better, then sure. If we run into each other we'd love to chat about activism, charity and helping our communities. The American RLSH community has many alliances, which would be good to emulate in Australia for the sake of raising the profile of animal/environmental/community issues (and giving the community something to smile about....which leads us to...)
Don't you care how silly you look?
Asking two people, one dressed up like a flying fox, the other a long-extinct marsupial wolf if they care about what people think is pretty pointless I'd say. It's kind of like when people ask us who we are even though we're masked. :) I also think the inability for some to see a little tongue in cheek is depressingly sad. There is of course another reason for the costume: symbology. As people, we can be criticized, attacked, humiliated. Our foibles and weaknesses are laid bare and our work may be injured because of this. But as Thylacine and Flying Fox, we ARE the Fauna Fighters, and are symbols of a greater yearning to better the world.
Do you follow a vegan diet?
Yes. To be otherwise would be hypocritical of us, as we both strongly crusade for animal welfare.
