Wildlife Bytes 4/8/09

Twin Wallabies Seen

In what is believed to be a rare occurrence, a wallaby with twin joeys has been found in southern Queensland. South Burnett hobby farmer Peter Bilsillie says he first saw the pretty-face wallaby about three weeks ago as he was feeding wildlife on his property west of Kingaroy. He says it is rare for a macropod to have two young ones in its pouch."Well I'd never heard of it before," he said. "I always understood that while there's one joey in the pouch the wallaby or kangaroo would keep the others inside them and release them until the pouch is empty." *ABC

Kakapos

The population of the world’s most endangered parrot, the kakapo (Strigops habroptila) has increased from just 50 known birds to 124 today. The flightless kakapo was brought to the brink by relentless hunting, deforestation, and the introduction of dogs, cats, and rats. Now, thanks to New Zealand’s Kakapo Recovery Programme’s intensive species management and successful breeding results, the population appears to show a timid recovery, though it is still clearly critically endangered. Read more at http://ecoworldly.com/2009/07/29/worlds-most-endangered-parrot-population-increasing/

Crocodiles

A baby crocodile triggered panic on an EgyptAir flight when it took a leisurely stroll through the aircraft. Passengers screamed at the sight of the 30cm reptile as it made its way under seats and down the aisle. Crew members captured the croc and handed it over to authorities when the plane landed in Cairo. Passengers were questioned but none admitted bringing the reptile on board. *Network Item

Birds

A new study has found that the pied flycather calls up a mob of other flycachers to drive an intruding bird away, but remembers the birds who helped, and repays each bird in kind. Apparently some birds have even learned that “play­ing nice pays.” http://www.world-science.net/exclusives/080706_flycatcher.htm

Roo Case Delay

A man accused of attacking two kangaroos with a crossbow appeared in Heidelberg Magistrates' Court yesterday. Justin Stavropoulos, 27, of Thomastown was due to face charges of aggravated cruelty but will now appear on October 8. It is alleged Mr Stavropoulos shot a kangaroo called Beau in the head and another called Hope in the rump in May in parkland at Bundoora. Beau later died at Healesville wildlife shelter. Outside court wildlife rescuers wearing kangaroo masks rallied in support of native animals. *Herald Sun

Possums

For me, possum of course, there is no doubt. 'Inside', as humans refer to some of the bigger wooden hollows in Brisbane, is the normal place for possums. We don't live 'outside' by choice. We live in holes in wood, like humans. What did you imagine? That we sit under trees holding fig-leaves over our heads in torrential rain by choice? No, we possums have the same needs as humans. Read more.... http://candobetter.org/node/1419

Chemical Contamination

The discovery of toxic chemicals in groundwater across Tasmania has been greeted with anger. For years campaigners have called for testing of underground aquifers and bores. Now the Tasmanian Government's pilot study has revealed a range of pesticides and fungicides, including weedkillers atrazine and MCPA, deep in water sources. Bisphenol-A, usually found in heavy industry and plastics, was discovered at Huonville, Lower Snug, Port Arthur and many other sites. "This is frightening stuff," St Helens doctor and chemicals campaigner Alison Bleaney said. "This is atrazine at levels many times higher than that allowed in Europe before it was banned. And underground it takes longer to break down." Dr Bleaney said new research in the Journal of Toxicological Sciences showed atrazine affected the production of steroid hormones and male hormones. *Mercury, read full story here.... http://www.themercury.com.au/article/2009/08/03/88545_tasmania-news.html


Black Saturday Aftermath

Wildlife that survived the Black Saturday inferno is finding no reprieve in the winter months. While countless animals were killed when the fires roared through bush and grassland, many animals that survived the fire are now struggling to find food or shelter. ``We're finding that in some areas, the plants are not regenerating,'' said Help for Wildlife 's principal director, Denise Garratt. ``There is not much food or shelter out there and the animals that survived the fires are doing it tough.'' Ms Garratt said the scarcity of food was prompting animals to move around in search of food. ``There has been an increase in the number of animals that have been hit by cars in the bushfire-affected areas, especially wallabies and wombats,'' she said.

Healesville Sanctuary's Australian Wildlife Centre veterinarian Phillipa Mason said there had been a surge in the number of animals being treated since the fires. ``Looking at the numbers from February 7 to July 2009, we have seen three times the number of animals that we saw in the past three years from fire-affected areas,'' Dr Mason said `I suspect that there will be more animals coming into contact with people and cars due to habitat loss in bushfire-affected areas. Roadsides have lush grassy areas from rain run-off therefore attracting grazers.'' Wildlife carers are providing food and shelter to animals in parts of the forest, and Ms Garratt said help was available to landowners returning to fire-damaged blocks. ``We'd also like to work with people returning to their block we can't go on to private property without permission and we don't want to be traipsing through people's land to help provide food for the animals,'' Ms Garratt said. For more information, contact Help for Wildlife 0417 380 687. *Lilydale Leader


Gouldian Finch

The endangered Gouldian finch is back breeding at Mareeba. A recent sighting of a tagged finch feeding along the Barron River has given conservationists fresh hope the brightly coloured bird was breeding in the region after 50 years. Before the 1960s, the finch was a common sight in Australia's tropical savannahs and as far east as the Clohesy River between Kuranda and Mareeba but numbers have hit catastrophic lows. Wildlife Conservancy of Tropical Queensland spokesperson Gwyneth Nevard said numbers in the wild were now believed to be as low as 2500. "For several years staff and volunteers of the conservancy at the Mareeba Wetlands have been breeding and releasing the critically endangered finch into the wild, relying on locals and birders to report sightings," she said. Ms Nevard said not only had the birds survived in the wild for nearly two years but the presence of unbranded juveniles proves they are breeding. The Gouldian finch is easily identified by its green back, yellow and white underparts and sky-blue rump. Males have a purple breast and the females pink and the head is usually black but it can also be red or orange. Anyone spotting a Gouldian finch is urged to call the Wildlife Conservancy of Tropical Queensland on 040 893 303. *Cairns Post


Kangaroos

Wildlife officers are warning urban fringe dwellers not to mess with the mob after kangaroo attacks in the outer suburbs. The Department of Sustainability and Environment said there were reports of people modifying fences to encourage kangaroos to graze on their properties and handfeeding them in the outer suburbs. Two people have been hospitalised after kangaroo attacks at Sunbury in the past 10 months. A woman in her late 60s suffered cuts to her face, chest and back after being attacked at her home in April. In another incident late last year, a man in his 50s suffered a large gash to his head and chest and hand injuries when a large male roo attacked him at Sunbury. Male kangaroos can become aggressive and perceive humans as potential competitors for female kangaroos and attack, DSE wildlife management project officer Ian Temby warned.

‘‘They could cause severe gashes or even open up your stomach with their big hind toe because they stand up on their tail and kick,’’ he said. Mr Temby advised that anyone confronted by a large male standing up should bend down and move away as standing tall can be perceived as responding to a challenge by the animals. Development on the city’s boundaries, in areas such as Bundoora, Yarrambat, Christmas Hills, Wollert and Plenty, has encroached on kangaroo habitat. Kangaroos straying into residential streets become lost or trapped, are often panicked by dogs or cars, and face a high risk of injury when they are removed, Mr Temby said. The DSE is also concerned that well-meaning residents feeding soft foods such as bread to kangaroos could be inadvertently sentencing them to a slow and painful death. The animals are susceptible to ‘‘lumpy jaw’’, a bacterial infection of the gums that affects their ability to chew and can lead to death by starvation. *Age


SA Parks under Threat

The security of South Australia's parks and reserves is under threat following cost-cutting, the Public Service Association says. The association says following the State Budget, only two investigators remain to prosecute illegal activity in more than 300 parks and reserves in the state. Such serious offences as harming or trapping birds and animals or lighting fires can result in jail or fines of up to $100,000. "If the Government was committed to protecting those assets, they would be employing more investigators, not getting rid of them," association general secretary Jan McMahon said. "Government's reduction of investigator positions will put the environment at greater risk." The association says 133 full-time staff from the Department for Environment and Heritage were targeted in the Budget.

The number of Investigations and Compliance Unit officers was reduced from five to two. As a result, it says, pending cases – such as the illegal capture of reptiles, illegal shooting, harassing dolphins, poisoning wildlife and damaging flora and fauna – are under threat. "The question that Government needs to answer is: Why is it allowing those who harm the environment to escape prosecution?" Ms McMahon said. DEH chief executive Allan Holmes confirmed that the number of investigations unit staff had been reduced. "The Department has around 100 rangers working in parks across the State, who are trained as wardens under the National Parks and Wildlife Act to monitor illegal activity and issue fines," he said. *Adelaide Now


Darling Harbor Pollution

The New South Wales Greens say it is outrageous that taxpayers may have to pay up to $100 million for the clean-up of toxic chemicals at the Barangaroo site at Darling Harbour. The Barangaroo Development Authority has confirmed that toxic chemicals have been found underneath the site, and the clean-up bill is estimated to be $100 million. The chemicals came from an old gas works owned by the multinational Alinta. Greens MP Lee Rhiannon says the Premier Nathan Rees must ensure that the cost of the clean-up rests with the original polluter. "Nathan Rees has been seen many times to be a weak leader and this time he'll just have to find some backbone and tell these companies that they can't get away with it," she said. "The public should not have to bear a $98 million cost, when it's the companies that caused the pollution in the first place." Meanwhile, the CEO of the Barangaroo Development Authority, John Tabart, says they are in discussions with the company but legal action may be necessary. "The contaminator does have a potential liability. All parties have to negotiate that and it's determined usually by a voluntary remediation agreement or it can, in fact, end up with legal action to determine the final outcome," he said. *ABC. Meanwhile Lee Rhiannon has called on the Premier to ensure developers not the public pay the $98 million cost of cleaning up toxic material in the redevelopment of Darling Harbour. The Democracy4Sale project shows that Babcock & Brown, which bought out Alinta - the company responsible for the pollution - donated over $660,000 to the major parties over the past eight years.


Faroe Island Whales

Whales are sensitive, social animals with highly developed nervous systems. They have a profound capacity to suffer distress, terror and pain. Each year, the Faroese kill pilot whales and other small cetaceans. Islanders in motorboats first drive the whales into a bay. The chase may be lengthy. The exhausted, terrified and confused whales are eventually driven into the shallows. Here the bloodbath begins. The islanders repeatedly hammer 2.2 kg metal gaffs into the living flesh of each whale until the hooks hold. A 15 cm knife is then used to slash through the blubber and flesh to the spinal column. Next the main blood vessels are severed. The blood-stained bay is soon filled with horribly mutilated and dying whales.

The Faroese celebrate the butchery of their victims in an carnival atmosphere of entertainment. Indoctrinated from an early age, children are often given a day off school to watch the fun. They run down to the bay and clamber over the carcasses of slaughtered whales. Every year around 2,000 whales are driven ashore and cruelly slaughtered in the Faroe Islands, mid-way between the Shetland Islands and Iceland. For centuries the Faroe Islanders have hunted pilot whales, driving entire schools into killing bays, where they are speared or gaffed from boats, dragged ashore and butchered with knives. Although the Islands are a protectorate of Denmark, they have their own Government and regulations governing the pilot whale hunt or "grind" as it is known.

Aside from the fact that the number of North Atlantic long-finned pilot whales is unknown and they are listed as 'strictly protected' by the Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats, this is an act of barbarism and pointlessness. By slaughtering 100 whales at a time, the Faroese are wiping out entire pods and family groups. They are removing building blocks from the gene pool of the species and damaging the web of life in the North Atlantic and the North Sea.

The drive hunt is a practice abandoned elsewhere many decades ago, and now outlawed by other European states. The inhabitants of the Faroe Islands have no subsistence need for whale meat, and much of the flesh is left to rot and be dumped; it cannot be exported, as it is polluted with heavy metals and other toxins and therefore cannot meet EU heath standards for human food.

According to Faroese legislation it is also permitted to hunt certain species of small cetaceans other than pilot whales. These include: Bottlenose dolphin; Atlantic white-beaked dolphin; Atlantic white-sided dolphin; and Harbour porpoise (There are also specific regulations for the hunting of harbour porpoise. Harbour porpoises are killed with shotguns).Please sign the Petition below. http://www.gopetition.com/online/24570/sign.html


New Songbird Found

A bald-headed songbird with a pink, nearly featherless face and distinctive calls has just been found in a rugged region of Laos, according to scientists from the Wildlife Conservation Society and the University of Melbourne who made the discovery. Aside from its unique characteristics, the avian is noteworthy because it is the only known bald songbird in Asia. The find additionally marks the first description in over 100 years of a new Asian species of bulbul, since the songbird has been placed in that family of birds. This bulbul was named Pycnonotus hualon, with "hualon" being the Lao word for "bald-headed." Hardly a shy and retiring bird, the bald-headed bulbul foraged and noisily moved about the researchers during the day, making them wonder how this eye-catching bird went undiscovered for so long.

"Certainly one reason is that the bird appears to be truly restricted to some very harsh and inaccessible terrain in Indochina," Peter Clyne told Discovery News. Clyne is the assistant director of the Wildlife Conservation Society's Asia Program. Funded by a local copper and gold mining company, researchers Iain Woxvold, Will Duckworth and Rob Timmins recently surveyed birds at Pha Lom, a limestone outcrop in Laos. That's when the bald-headed beauty caught their eye. "The bird had alighted directly overhead in a small, leafless tree, where it remained for two to three minutes, feeding casually on small fruits and cocking its head to gain a clear view of the observer," the researchers report in the latest issue of Forktail, the journal of the Oriental Bird Club. Before long, the songbird was "joined by another, similar bird. The duo flew off soon after." *MSNBC


Kangaroo Road Kill

Distressing scenes of kangaroos being struck by cars on Sunshine Coast roadways have sent Sunshine Coast Regional Council on a rescue mission. Mobs of kangaroos have been separated and pushed into pockets due to development around Currimundi, particularly in Parklands Boulevard and Meridan Way areas. Now there is nowhere left for them to go, according to division three councillor Keryn Jones – and residents are seeing the distressing consequences on the roads. “It has been a problem for at least the last 12 months, but it has become a bigger issue after an incident last week,” Ms Jones said. Students from Meridan State College saw a kangaroo with a joey get hit by a car in front of the Parklands Boulevard school last week.

The joey was ejected from its mother’s pouch in front of horrified students, according to Ms Jones. “Two dogs then chased off after the kangaroo. “It would have been extremely upsetting for the students and anyone else who would have seen it.” Eight problem mobs with between 15 and 20 kangaroos have also been reported alongside Corbould Way, Caloundra Road and Meridan Way. Saffron Drive resident Susan Schultz said it is not enough anymore to say these kangaroos were no particular significance. “Part of why people move here, why they visit here is because of our diversity,” he said. “We need to have our wildlife corridors or we end up with a concrete jungle” said Ms Schultz who, along with resident Ray Chambers, is an Australian Wildlife Hospital volunteer.

Ms Jones said the Department of Main Roads had fenced some areas, but fauna signs would have to suffice in those without. She said she will attend a meeting with representatives from Queensland Parks and Wildlife, the Department of Resources and Environment Management and Australia Zoo to determine relocation options in the next fortnight “I am to understand that it has been successful in the past, but that is why we want to get some professional input,” Ms Jones said. “Council can’t just refuse developments because there are kangaroos, because that would be just thrown out, but there is that humane responsibility. “There is a humane responsibility, after all they are on our coat of arms.” *Sunshine Coast Daily


Wombats

They're an easy target - slow moving and no harm to anyone - but someone still thought it would be fun to use a wombat for shooting practice. A defenceless one-year-old wombat, christened Beanbag by its rescuers, was shot five times and left for dead near Blanchetown last month. He was found emaciated and at death's door, peppered with five bullets from a .22-calibre rifle, and staggering between burrows on Portee Station, a privately controlled, 5200ha property south of the town. One bullet removed from Beanbag had narrowly missed his spine. Brigitte Stevens, founding director of the Wombat Awareness Organisation that found Beanbag, said the animal may have been shot up to two weeks before he was discovered. "I just can't believe it. The poor little kid, he looks awful, but to survive being shot five times is just incredible," she said. "We have had lots of reports of locals who don't like wombats and are shooting them just for the fun of it, the disgusting pigs. "Often, the wombats go back to their burrow and die of a secondary infection . . . so we are surprised we found this one with bullet wounds."

Bob Irwin, the father of late wildlife crusader Steve Irwin, is a leading supporter of the WAO and has blamed "sporting shooters" for the sickening attack, describing them as "murderous thugs". He has warned that the southern hairy-nosed wombat - the state's fauna emblem - could be wiped out unless the State Government and public put an end to the killing of the marsupial. "The people who did this, I describe them as murderous thugs," Mr Irwin said. "That poor thing would have died over a period of weeks or maybe months (if not found). "You can't call that a sport. Wombats belong to all people, all Australians, not just a bunch of murderous thugs. I feel we have to start now and try to put an end to the killing." Beanbag is now being looked after in the WAO's intensive care unit at Ponde, where a vet has already removed a .22-calibre slug from next to his spine. The remaining four bullets will be removed once swelling from his injuries has subsided. Ms Stevens expected Beanbag to make a full recovery but said people were regularly driving on to Portee Station, unaware it was private property, and shooting wombats.

"They are shooting anything that moves. In the last three weeks, we haven't seen as many as we used to," she said. The WAO is working with the Bob Irwin Wildlife Fund and the Wombat Protection Society to raise $500,000 to buy Portee Station and establish a wombat sanctuary. Southern hairy-nosed wombats are a protected species but people can apply for destruction permits to shoot them if they are causing environmental and economic damage. "For an animal to suffer in this way is appalling," said Deb Kelly, animal welfare manager with the Environment and Heritage Department *Adelaide Now


Dead Sparrows

A mysterious decline in Hobart's sparrow population requires prompt analysis, a wildlife expert said yesterday. Veterinarian David Obendorf urged people who discover newly dead sparrows to collect the carcasses and deliver them to authorities. He said the Department of Primary Industries and Water needed to conduct autopsies on the birds to determine whether they were suffering toxic reactions or viral infections. Dr Obendorf said it was imperative Tasmania investigated the cause of the decline because other species, including livestock, could be affected. "I suggest people, if they know the birds are freshly dead, contact the Department of Primary Industries and Water and ensure there is a post-mortem," he said. Bird watchers around Hobart have recently noticed a large decline in the city's sparrow population.

Bird lovers at Sandy Bay, Kingston, Blackmans Bay, Coningham and Mt Nelson want to know why sparrows are no longer thriving in backyards and are being found dead on the ground. Dr Obendorf said people could not be complacent about the deaths simply because sparrows were an introduced species. "We need to take this seriously, especially if there are reports from a number of quarters of mass mortalities." He said it was impossible to know whether the deaths were related to Newcastle Disease, which usually affects domestic poultry flocks and is not thought to be present in Tasmania. Dr Obendorf said questions were also being raised in Northern Europe where a range of songbirds -- including sparrows, starlings and blackbirds -- were dying in large numbers.

The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds in London last week launched a "Save Our Sparrows" campaign in response to a huge decline in bird numbers. Dr Obendorf said the fragile status of the birds in Northern Europe placed greater importance on Australia's sparrow population. He said Australia could not simply disregard the birds as pests and must safeguard them if they were being wiped out in other countries. Birds Tasmania chairman Eric Woehler said sparrow numbers could be down because of Tasmania's cold and wet winter. "The conditions may have resulted in a reduction in food for the birds," he said. *Mercury

Ed Comment; Perhaps they've been drinking the water........


Whaling

The Federal Opposition has declared the Rudd Government’s anti-whaling strategy a failure following the recruitment of yet another African state to the International Whaling Commission. Following encouragement by Japan, the Republic of Ghana has become the IWC’s latest, 86th, member. Australia signed up to a truce in the IWC while attempts were made to reform it, but Ghana’s decision confirms that a deeply dividing vote race in the organisation is still under way. ‘‘It’s absolutely clear now that the Federal Government’s so-called diplomatic strategy with Japan has failed,’’ the Opposition environment spokesman, Greg Hunt, told The Age. ‘‘Another country with little or no connection to whaling or whales has become a vote on the IWC,’’ he said. ‘‘We think Australia should put together a coalition of nations to proceed legally against Japan under the International Law of the Sea.’’

Ghana was named by Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs as one of 11 developing nations invited to a seminar in Tokyo on the IWC in 2008. According to the Ghanaian media, its Fisheries Minister, Gladys Asmah, attended. Greenpeace said Ghanaian representatives also met Japanese fisheries officials in Tokyo earlier this year. ‘‘To push forward with a very transparent policy to buy up a majority of votes at the IWC whilst at the same time asking governments like Australia to compromise on their strong anti-whaling position is sheer hypocrisy from the Japanese Government,’’ said Greenpeace spokesman Reece Turner. A total of 17 developing African nations have joined the IWC since 2001, where they are voicing the strongest support for Japanese claims — disputed by scientists — that whales endanger fisheries.A spokesman for Environment Minister Peter Garrett said Australia would welcome the opportunity to meet Ghana or other new IWC countries to discuss key issues including the reform process. *Age


Rare Fish Banned

Sixty-nine species of fish have been banned from menus at thousands of restaurants across the UK and Ireland in a move hailed by campaigners fighting to protect threatened stocks.The Compass Group, the world's largest contract caterer, has decided to follow the advice of the Marine Conservation Society (MCS) on fish for consumers to avoid because of environmental concerns. These will not be used again in its canteens and restaurants, in its "grab-and-go" offerings or at hospitality events unless the society changes its advice. The move covers 6,500 outlets from Chelsea football club to schools in Lewisham, London, Procter and Gamble sites, Oxford Brookes University and Bristol Zoo. The species are those the MCS considers most vulnerable to overfishing or fished using methods that are damaging to the environment or to non-target species. They include four varieties of skate, five tunas and two types of plaice.

Compass had already decided never to use bluefin tuna and swordfish among 13 vulnerable species, but its decision to bar all 69 on the MSC blacklist is a significant move. It comes as the government's Food Standards Agency considers whether it should offer the first official advice to consumers on eating ethically as well as healthily, by encouraging them not to buy or eat endangered fish. If it goes ahead with the move, it will also probably point consumers towards organisations such as the MCS and the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) which already advise on sustainability of stocks.

The move will mean that Atlantic cod from all but a few fisheries will be off the menu while Pacific cod certified by the MSC will stay on it. Alaskan pollock, Pacific salmon, also from Alaska, and Dover sole from the Hastings fishery are options that remain. Neil Pitcairn, fish and seafood buyer for Compass, said: "There are many wonderful and delicious fish that can be caught without risk of over-fishing." Simon Brockington, head of conservation at the Marine Conservation Society, said Compass was leading the catering sector in addressing fisheries' sustainability and helping to reduce demand for over-exploited fish. "This is a crucial step in ensuring the long-term survival of vulnerable fisheries." *Network Item


Bandicoots

Bulldozing part of a Frankston wildlife reserve to make way for a $750 million freeway may increase the likelihood that Victoria's endangered southern brown bandicoot will become extinct. Premier John Brumby last month turned the first sod on the Frankston bypass project, which will see 53 hectares of native vegetation and almost 100 "large and very large" trees removed. Planning Minister Justin Madden in June approved the six-lane freeway, which will run for 25 kilometres from Carrum Downs to Mount Martha. The 220-hectare Pines Flora and Fauna Reserve is in the freeway's path. Nine hectares of the reserve will be lost to make way for the road, of which a government report says 8.23 hectares is of high conservation significance. "The Frankston bypass will increase the probability that the small southern brown bandicoot population in the Pines Reserve could become extinct," the report, signed off by Mr Madden, notes.

While one arm of the State Government is busy removing the bandicoot's habitat, another is urging residents to do all they can to protect it. A Department of Sustainability and Environment fact sheet says the bandicoot's numbers are "very low" and advises residents to protect patches of bushland on their properties to help the creatures survive. Tunnelling under the reserve to preserve the bandicoot was dismissed by the state's road authority because of the cost, estimated at $320 million. Another recent road project, EastLink, tunnelled under the Mullum Mullum Valley to protect its wildlife and flora. Dr Terry Coates, an ecologist with the Royal Botanic Gardens Cranbourne, said Frankston's Pines reserve was precious. "This is one of the reserves put aside decades ago to preserve what was there. They are like little arks that carry what was once there," he said.

Gillian Collins, from the Friends of the Pines community group, said the freeway would create a wall through the flora and fauna reserve and that there was no evidence to support the effectiveness of a government pledge to build an underpass under a section of the road. Jo Weeks, a spokeswoman for the Government authority overseeing the freeway's construction, the Linking Melbourne Authority, said a $5 million environment effects statement introduced significant protection, including a realignment of the bypass to protect areas of higher ecological significance. Tamarisk Creek, which runs through the reserve, will be rehabilitated as part of the project. *Age


Thinking about Wildlife? Who’s going to watch over our wildlife when you no longer share their World? Well, we are! The Wildlife Protection Association of Australia Inc. will continue to forcefully lobby governments to do better with wildlife management, and by taking them to Court if necessary. We are currently working on developing eLearning projects, so students can become aware of the importance of our wildlife living in a safe and secure natural environment. After you have looked after your family and friends in your Will, think about wildlife. A bequest to the Wildlife Protection Association of Australia Inc. will ensure that we can continue to take a leading role in protecting and conserving our precious wildlife. None of the donations we receive are diverted to "administration". Every dollar we get through bequests or donations for wildlife hits the ground running! Talk to your solicitor, or if writing your own Will, add the words "I bequeath to The Wildlife Protection Association of Australia Inc. for the purpose of protecting wildlife in Australia (a specified sum), or (specified items including land or vehicle), or (the residue of my estate) or (percentage of my estate) free of all duties, and the receipt of the President, Secretary or other authorised WPAA officer for the time being shall be a complete and sufficient discharge for the executor(s)." You can also phone me for a confidential chat, as to how a bequest can help us work to protect our wildlife, when you are no longer able to. * Pat O’Brien, WPAA 07 54941890