It was never about the animal. It was about its personality.
Most souvenirs are just a picture on a product — a koala on a mug, a kangaroo on a keyring. They show you the animal, but never the one you actually met.
Every animal has a personality. The koala that looks completely unimpressed. The little devil that sounds fierce but is really just determined to find its next meal. The wombat that stared straight through you on a bush walk. That flicker of character is the moment you connected — not with a species, but with a someone. That's who The Locals are.
A souvenir reminds you of a place. A character comes home with you.
Why I make them
I'm Iesha, a designer in Hobart, Tasmania. Through my brand, TapTales™, I make The Locals — characters built to carry the feeling of each animal, not just its shape.
And there's a reason the personalities ring true — I've spent real time up close with our wildlife. I love these animals, and I've been lucky enough to help care for native ones that were hurt, orphaned or frightened. You can't sit with an animal like that and design a lifeless little mascot. Each Local has to carry who they really are — because I've met who they really are.
Little ambassadors
Every character carries the story of the real animal that inspired it. Each one is a small ambassador — a way for someone to meet a real Australian animal, learn who it is and where it lives, and come to care about its future in the wild. We're not a charity, and we won't pretend to be. What we do is advocate for our wildlife the best way I know how: help someone fall for an animal, and they'll want to learn about it; help them learn, and they'll want to protect it.
Because you protect what you love, and you love what you've met. That is the whole point of The Locals — turning a moment of delight into learning, and learning into caring for our wildlife and getting behind the people who work to rescue and protect it.
Australia's wildlife carers and rescuers do quiet, extraordinary work. If you ever find a native animal hurt, orphaned or in trouble, please don't walk past — a quick call to your local wildlife rescue service can save a life.
Stock The Locals
Gift shops, galleries, visitor centres, sanctuaries, airports — The Locals bring real character to your counter. Bring your customers a character they'll connect with, and remember.
Get in touch
Stockist, wholesale and partnership enquiries are always welcome.
Email: accounts@taptales.co · Hobart, Tasmania