Wildlife Bytes 3/2/2010

Wildlife MiniBytes

Fraser Island Dingoes

Last week Wildlife Bytes ran the story about Jennifer Parkhurst, the photographer who had her house invaded by DERM thugs early one morning last year. Jennifer now faces a maximum two years' jail or up to a $300,000 fine under the Nature Conservation Act and Recreation Area Management Act, for allegedly interfering with the Fraser Island dingoes. The real reasons for the raid were that, like many others, Jennifer has been highly critical of the Fraser Island dingo mis-management strategies. Anyway, a rally or two are being planned, and Fund has been set up to help Jennifer and teh dingoes. People can contribute to the fund at Westpac Bank, Pialba, Hervey Bay. Save Fraser island Dingoes Inc. BSB 034-136 Acct 303196.

Join the Duck Rescue Team – 20 March 2010

The Coalition Against Duck Shooting will again take an army of rescuers and a mobile veterinary clinic with wildlife carers out to the wetlands on the opening morning of the Victorian duck shooting season. The team will work to prevent birds being shot, rescue wounded birds and collect illegally shot, protected and threatened species. Despite seriously low waterbird numbers across Victoria, the Brumby Labor government is again allowing duck hunters to shoot native birds purely for recreational purposes. In the government’s attempt to placate shooters for political reasons, it is ignoring the 87% of Victorians who want duck shooting banned (Morgan poll Oct. 07). The government is also blatantly ignoring the cruelty (25% wounding rate (DSE)), the unsustainability (waterbird numbers across eastern Australia down 82% since 1983) and that three Labor states (WA, NSW and Q’ld) have banned the activity. Animal Liberation ACT will again this year be sending a team of volunteers. If you would like more information, please phone Bernie on 0427 777 044 or by email: veganavenger@yahoo.com.au We will most likely be traveling down to Victoria on the Friday (19th) afternoon/night and returning to Canberra Sunday (21st) afternoon. If we get the numbers, we will hire a bus. * AL ACT

Coral Bleaching

A coral expert says diseases or viruses could be responsible for bleaching of a reef off southern Queensland's Fraser coast. Fraser coast councillor Sue Brooks has reported white patches on the reef off Point Vernon. CQUniversity's Dr Alison Jones says patched bleaching is often associated with disease and viruses in the water, or stress events from the previous year. She says bleaching related to a sharp rise in water temperature usually affects a whole reef but warmer water may be encouraging the growth of bacteria, creating the patches. Dr Jones says bleaching this far south is not unheard of. "Of course it is always possible to have bleaching in coral reefs anywhere - it's all determined by the amount that the temperature increases above the normal range of the coral, so it's about a one to two degrees [Celsius] above the normal range and over a prolonged period usually," she said. *ABC

Snakes

Deadly snakes have bitten more NSW people this summer than any other time in at least a decade, with more than 50 people admitted to hospital. In January alone, paramedics were called to more than 20 snakebite cases. New housing estates being built on the edge of bushland and "perfect" weather conditions are blamed for the rise in attacks. The aggressive eastern brown and wetlands-loving tiger snake are the main culprits, but bites from red-bellied black snakes are also increasing. Australian Reptile Park general manager Mary Rayner said that in 15 years at the park she had never heard of so many close encounters with snakes in such a short period. Ms Rayner said recent rain coupled with warm, humid weather produced perfect conditions for snakes to be on the prowl. The growing number of housing developments on bush fringes also increased chances of snakes and humans crossing paths. "Brown snakes like cleared habitats and there is always a cleared area around new housing estates, so you will quite often find them moving into these areas," she said. "The species is extremely defensive and feisty, they will stand their ground if they feel they are threatened and unfortunately they will also quite often inflict multiple bites." Luckily, no one has died due to snakebite in NSW so far this summer. *Daily Telegraph

Wildlife Imports

A spike in illegal wildlife imports from South Australia into WA has prompted a warning that importing reptiles, amphibians, mammals and birds without approval is illegal. The Department of Environment and Conservation issued the warning following an increase in illegal reptile imports over the New Year holiday period. Three freshwater Murray River turtles, which pose an environmental threat to WA, were intercepted by Quarantine WA at the SA-WA border, with another detected at Perth Airport. Any imports must have approval from the department. DEC regional compliance coordinator Peter Lambert said most illegal reptile imports occurred accidentally, with people holidaying or relocating to WA not realising only a limited number of reptile and amphibian species could be kept in WA with a licence. Penalties for illegally importing and keeping some native animals can reach $4000, he said. *WA News

Hendra Virus

Pigs have the potential to spread the deadly Hendra virus to humans in the same way horses do, researchers say. New research by scientists in Canada has shown pigs can contract the bat-borne virus. The finding raises the prospect that pigs could act as intermediate hosts, contracting Hendra from bats and passing it to humans in the same way horses have done. To date, only seven human cases of Hendra have been recorded - all in Queensland and all traced to horses infected by bats. Four of those cases have been fatal. While it's known that cats, guinea pigs and ferrets can also contract the virus, they have not been linked to human infections. Cows and sheep cannot be infected because the virus is unable to penetrate their cells but news that Hendra can be carried by pigs is of concern, given their prevalence. *AAP

Kangaroos

Kangaroos are the iconic images of Australia, yet kangaroo leather is used for handbags, baseball mitts, and soccer cleats — including the aptly named Adidas Predator line endorsed by David Beckham. Read more and comment.... http://animalwelfare.change.org/blog/view/beckham_vs_boomers

Letter to the Herald Sun about Roadkill

Paul asked yesterday about the pink crosses he's seeing on dead kangaroos by the roadside and it seems everybody outside 20km from the GPO knows what they mean. The crosses are put there by wildlife workers and volunteers to let everybody know that the animal's pouch has been checked for young. Claire is one such volunteer and refers to herself as a foster carer. She uses yellow or orange cans of spray paint and says the boot of her car would make anybody think she's Australia's oldest graffiti painter. ``I look for possums, koalas, wombats . . . all marsupials which might have been killed or injured.'' Yvonne does the same and says dozens of roos get hit in her area. `I've often wondered why some pet food company doesn't collect the dead kangaroos , but as for Paul wondering why we don't pick them up, has he ever tried to lift a large kangaroo ? `They're far too heavy for a woman such as me.'' Talia has a theory as to why so many animals are left beside the road. `I believe it is to remind people driving past that there is wildlife around and to be cautious.''

Camels

Cattle station owners whose properties have been overrun by feral camels say widespread aerial culling is the only way to bring the pests under control. Public submissions on a draft national action plan to deal with the feral camel population closed on the weekend. Estimates of the camel population range between 1 and 2 million, with current numbers expected to double within 10 years. Northern Territory station owner Lindy Severin says she has no doubt a large-scale camel meat industry is viable in the long term. But she says culling is the only way to bring the feral population under control in the meantime. "The only way that that can be done is by widespread culling," she said. "The most efficient way of doing that is from the air because we don't have highways through these areas, we don't have even roads or tracks in a lot of the areas where it has to be done." *ABC

Logging

Environmental groups are hoping that rule changes will soon force the Tasmanian timber giant Gunns to end old growth logging. Their hopes are based on the interest that Gunns has shown in getting certification from non-profit organisation the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC). The council does not allow companies to take timber from high-conservation-value forests and the process would force Gunns to negotiate with environmental groups. Gunns, which has made millions selling woodchips to Japan, will not say if it plans to stop logging old-growth forests. But the Japanese no longer want to buy woodchips that are not certified by the FSC. Swedish company Sodra is also saying it will only invest in Gunns' Pulp Mill if the company becomes FSC certified. Gunns is still trying to raise the $2 billion it needs to build the pulp mill. Michael Spencer, the chief executive of FSC in Australia, says the council has endorsement from major environment groups, as well as social and community groups and leaders in the industry. He says old-growth forest certification does not occur in the FSC system. "FSC works on the concept of high conservation values - that's the sort of thing that would be tested through a certification process," Mr Spencer said. *ABC

Seals

A young seal wowing beachgoers around Chelsea for the past month is in the care of vets after a reported dog attack. Winke, a female Australian fur seal, is recovering at Melbourne Zoo with wounds to her front right flipper after several dogs were seen chasing the animal at Frankston beach. AWARE wildlife rescue president Paul Hackett, who organised a roster to help guard the seal and another further south, said the animals stood little chance against dogs. Melbourne Zoo keeper and marine mammal specialist Adrian Howard said Winke also sustained several minor punctures and superficial wounds to a hind flipper in the January 24 incident. Winke has been given antibiotics and is expected to be released back into Port Phillip Bay this week. *Leader.com.au

New Bird Site Found

A bird species with just a handful of documented human sightings in its past has resurfaced in remote Afghanistan, its apparent breeding site, researchers say. The large-billed reed warbler, or Acrocephalus orinus, was discovered in 1867 but has turned up rarely since then. They used nets to capture 15 individuals of the mysterious bird. They sent photographs and feather samples to Svensson and Olsson, who used DNA to confirm that after 142 years, the breeding site of perhaps the world’s least known bird had been found. *Birding Asia

Fish Transfer Case

The Wide-Bay Burnett Conservation Council in southern Queensland says it remains confident in its fight again Burnett Water over a controversial fish transfer device. The council says Burnett Water breached conditions imposed on the construction of the Paradise Dam because a fish transfer device has not allowed fish to travel up and down the river. Part of the council's key witnesses report was yesterday ruled out in the Brisbane Federal Court, after Justice John Logan found the sections to be inadmissible. Council coordinator Emma-Kate Currie says she is not concerned. "Part of our expert witness Mr Max Winders, part of his report has actually been modified after Burnett Water successfully argued it was irrelevant but we're not particularly concerned about this because this has actually occurred earlier in the case so we're very confident of our chances of success," she said. "We have been all along because we know that we're right. We know that we have the facts. We know Burnett Water has breached their environmental approval conditions and it's only time will tell before it follows through." Final submissions will be heard on Thursday. *ABC

Crocodiles

Shaun Foggett, 30, keeps 24 crocodiles and alligators in the back garden of the semi-detached house where he lives with fiancee Lisa Green, 29, and their three children. He has built an enclosure for his pets, including endangered Black Caymans, Cuban crocodiles and a Chinese alligator, to keep them at a tropical temperature. He has also raised £100,000 in only two years to create Britain's first crocodile zoo, but is still looking for a location big enough to house it, reports the Daily Mail. Mr Foggett, who spends £8,000 a year feeding them, said: "I have been interested in crocodiles since I was a kid. They're amazing animals." He added that his children, Billy, six, Louie, four, and eight-month-old Shania, have grown up with the creatures and "have no fear at all". *

Fish Speak

In a new research, scientists have used a combined fish tank and sound-proof chamber to show for the first time that catfish of all ages can communicate with one another by making a 'squeaking' sound. The catfish use the squeaking sound to warn of predators and during competition between members of the species. *Daily India.com


Victoria's Fires Anniversary

Help for Wildlife was the first wildlife rescue team into the Kinglake Complex and stayed at the Whittlesea staging area working 24/7 for three weeks before splitting up into strike teams to cover an even wider area throughout the fire affected land. Our last feeding station was dismantled two weeks before Christmas. Not everyone knew of the work we did because we were simply too busy to seek publicity - we were just doing our job- desperately trying to save what wildlife had survived. THE QUIET ANGELS. As the anniversay approaches of a time forever held in our hearts, I would like to pay tribute to the quiet and gentle angels whom so few knew about - the many incredibly committed wildlife rescuers and carers who opened their hearts and homes to care for the hundreds of fire affected animals from Black Saturday, who searched the blackened and lost land for survivors, and to the many people who took up the banner to feed and care for those survivors in that blackened and lost bush. These people really 'did the hard yard', they slogged through mud and slush throughout our winter, building shelters for the homeless, digging out wombat holes from mud slides, and chopping and distributing tonnes of food across miles of destroyed land for so many long months. These are the true angels, they sought no publicity, they made few appeals for money (they simply were too busy helping the wildlife), they didn't have infrastructures of media consultants or paid staff, they simply focussed on helping the wildlife in need. They were volunteers in the truest sense of the word. These quiet wildlife angels, many of whom were affected themselves by those fires, many whom simply were too busy doing their work to even contemplate publicity - it wasn't about publicity, it was about desperately trying to help our wildlife. And they did. You know who you are, I have the privilege of knowing many of you because I worked alongside you, and your spirit shone brighter than those flames that destroyed our land and ripped our souls apart. You did make a difference, together we all did. And I for one salute you. You were and are remarkable. You are an inspiration in your devotion and your quiet achievement. You may not have received the millions of dollars that some received but you did receive what was more important. The joy of seeing a life saved - because that is what we are about, saving our wildlife. And thank you so very sincerely to those of our colleagues who opened their hearts to help us in our time of need and for the love and support you sent us - to the inspirational Dr.Howard Ralph and Tania Duratovic from IFAW who walked every step of the way through those black days and nights with us - to all those wonderful volunteer vets who answered the call to help - you truly were the wind beneath our charred wings. Denise Garratt, President, Help for Wildlife Inc. 24 Hour State-wide Wildlife Emergency Service.

Kangaroos

A Dubbo conservationist has shot holes in an animal liberationist group’s claims that kangaroos are “facing extinction” and that culling the marsupial was akin to “the world’s largest wildlife slaughter”. Andrew Knop, a landholder between Dubbo and Tomingley, said the Australian Society for Kangaroos was not looking at the big picture and that culling was a necessity. Mr Knop said kangaroos had no natural predator to limit their numbers and were destroying the habitat of small native animals. His claims came after a heated debate between Parkes MP Mark Coulton and the society about a possible ban on kangaroo imports in Europe. Mr Knop, who has managed his property for conservation for the past three years, said Mr Coulton had a point about threats to vulnerable ecosystems, but that it went beyond that.

“Kangaroos are not malicious but they are destroying the habitat of small native animals,” he said. The past 200 years has seen the original predators of kangaroos - “Aborigines, dingoes and wedge-tailed eagles” - disappear. “Without a predator there is no limiting factor,” he said. Mr Knop employs professional kangaroo shooters and has also installed 5-feet fences around two dams to stop kangaroos’ access. “Culling is time-consuming, landholders have to cull ferals and kangaroos,” he said. “There is a pressing need to have a professional industry to alleviate the time.” Mr Knop said the society had legitimate claims about professional hunters shooting the largest kangaroos. It was diluting the genetic pool of the species, he said. * Daily Liberal. You can make a comment here... http://www.dailyliberal.com.au/news/local/news/general/no-predators-left-so-kangaroo-cull-needed/1734401.aspx *Daily Liberal

The Bligh Government's ban from January 1 this year on trading of meat from kangaroos with body shots has been questioned by kangaroo industry representatives. They say professional shooters already comply with federal regulations that demand kangaroos be killed humanely by a shot to the head. The changes to Queensland's Commercial Macropod Management Progam make it unlawful to sell or buy kangaroos that have not been killed humanely by a shot to the head with a suitable firearm. The changes also include fines of up to $16,500 for both shooters and dealers if the regulation is breached. The Government says the changes have been introduced to improve the image of the kangaroo meat industry and "further stamp Queensland's reputation as a producer of safe, high quality meat" in a bid to help re-open the lucrative Russian market which was temporarily suspended in August last year.

Acting Climate Change and Sustainability Minister Andrew Fraser said it the regulation under the Nature Conservation Act 1992 meant the Bligh Government now had the legislative power to ensure only kangaroos killed by clean shots could be traded. "Whilst it has always been necessary to harvest kangaroos in a humane manner, new management arrangements will make it unlawful to sell or buy kangaroos that have not been killed humanely by a shot to the head with a suitable firearm," Mr Fraser said. "The Department of Environment and Resource Management (DERM) will work closely with Safe Food Production Queensland and ensure compliance through inspections, investigations and, when necessary, enforcement," he said.

However, Kangaroo Industry Assoc-iation of Australia (KIAA) executive director John Kelly said the change had nothing to do with helping reopen the Russian market. "All kangaroos that are shot are currently required by law to be taken out by head shots according to the code of practice which has been in existence for quite some time," Mr Kelly said. "The industry has had a policy to do exactly that for some time in keeping with the federal code of practice." The Federal Government's national code of practice for humane shooting of kangaroos and wallabies for commercial purposes, most recently endorsed in November 2008, states "a shooter must aim so as to hit the target kangaroo or wallaby in the brain" and that "a shooter must not aim so as to hit the target kangaroo or wallaby in any other part of the body than that specified above".

Other changes to Queensland regulations include tag numbers produced to match quota numbers and the amendment of harvest tags that will now define year, species, geographical zone and identification number. Kangaroo harvest quotas for each year are set by DERM and endorsed by the Commonwealth Government. They are based on population estimates stemming from aerial surveys each year. Quotas are set at between 10 and 20 percent of the estimated population. *Qld Counrty Life.

Leave comments here, http://qcl.farmonline.com.au/news/state/agribusiness-and-general/general/state-doubles-up-on-roo-shoot-regulations/1730764.aspx?storypage=0

Ed Comment; Its true that the head shot requirement has always been there in the federal Permit requirements, but we know that dealers have always paid shooters 50% for a body shot carcase. These carcases can be seen on the Kangaroo Protection Coalition website. It remains to be seen wether the Qld government will put enough inspection resources in place to catch the dealers. What it does mean now, after the Bligh media hype, is that body shot kangaroos will be left to die in agony....making the kangaroo Industry even more inhumane and undesirable.


New National Park

The Tasmanian Aboriginal Community will consider protests if the Premier will not agree to discuss the boundaries of the proposed Bay of Fires National Park. The proposed park covers more than 7,000 hectares of land in the north-east of the Bay of Fires. Michael Mansell, from the Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre, says there are indigenous burial sites, middens and seal traps in that region. Mr Mansell says he has written a letter to the Mr Bartlett about his concerns, and if he does not respond there will be further action. "Once you start putting legal barriers between the Aboriginal community and our dead, and the culture our ancestors created, it becomes a very sensitive cultural issue," he said. "Our main reason for contacting the Premier is to ask him to re-jig the boundaries of the proposed park so that the very sensitive Aboriginal heritage sites are excluded from the park and if he doesn't agree to that in response to our letter, then we hope we can have a meeting with the Premier to discuss the issue." *ABC


Biodiversity Lost

Because Australia was isolated for so long from the rest of the world in eons past, many of our native animals and plants are unique to this continent. About 84 per cent of native plants, 83 per cent of Australia's mammals, 90 per cent of our insects, 90 per cent of our reptiles and amphibians and 45 per cent of indigenous birds can be found only across the many varied landscapes of this country. Australia is one of 17 megadiverse countries that collectively hold more than 70 per cent of the world's biodiversity. We have many amazing species that Europeans never saw until specimens were sent back there in the 18th and 19th centuries (the hairy nosed wombat below is one). From these specimens scientists discovered how different our wildlife was. For instance, they were amazed to find that Australia has the only surviving egg-laying mammals or monotremes -- echidnas and platypuses.

But after the British settled Australia from 1788, the impact on biodiversity began to be felt. Land clearing, introduced species, pollution, excessive hunting or fishing and other forms of human activity have thinned out the populations of many kinds of plants and animals and driven some to extinction. It is estimated that more than 50 bird and mammal species have since become extinct and more than 60 plant species. The more diverse the flora and fauna within an ecosystem, the more healthy it seems to be. Decreasing biodiversity seems to indicate problems with the environment and our management of it. Biodiversity is not just about keeping species alive for curiosity's sake; the interdependence of all species on the planet means that as one of those species, human beings are also threatened. *Daily Telegraph


Panthers in the Oways?

Big cat footage taken by an Otways resident on Friday has been dismissed as a dark-coloured fox. Big cat researcher Simon Townsend said while the footage, revealed in the Geelong Advertiser on Saturday, was an interesting piece of home-made wildlife footage, it appeared the black animal was a fox or possibly a feral cat seemingly hunting mice or grasshoppers. `My colleague John Turner and I suggest that the fence posts and uncut vegetation in the subject matter's near vicinity at the end of the footage give an indication of its true size,'' Mr Townsend said. `It does not support the idea that the animal is very large.'' Connie Whistance said she took the footage on her property on Friday morning near Binns Track on the edge of the Otway National Park. She said it was the first hard evidence the cats do exist in the region.

Gherang resident Sophie Ashkanays weighed into the debate online saying she believed big cats did prowl the region. `One night when my mum and I were driving home we saw what looked like a big black cat,'' she said. ``The local farmers in the area always make a fuss about not going outside alone at night without a torch. I listen to them because they tell us stories about finding half eaten and destroyed lambs.'' Jacko from Geelong took the more cynical approach, saying: ``I'm suspecting it's members of the Otway Tourism dressing up to draw attention to the region since visitor numbers have fallen.'' Mr Townsend said the search for unknown animals needed to remain a very small operating part of scientific enquiry. `Systematic record keeping, by both government agencies as well as media outlets, might contribute significantly to a scenario where identification could become a reality,'' he said. ``At the moment the progress of this research is in the hands of self-funded and well-meaning amateurs, so the limitations are obvious. ``However the scores of intelligent and serious witnesses who were brave enough to come forward and make a report deserve to be vindicated.'' * Geelong Advertiser


Maria Island

Maria Island looms large along much of Tasmania's popular East Coast. Its dramatic profile makes a great backdrop for holiday snaps as tourists drive along the Tasman Highway in their tens of thousands. Yet despite visitor numbers around the state climbing steadily for years, the number of people going to Maria is down from about 30,000 a year in the 1980s to just 8000 now. Throughout this glorious summer, East Coast tourism is flourishing as never before and some fear the region is being loved to death. A year ago the Lonely Planet travel guides named the Bay of Fires one of the world's must-see destinations of 2009. Now the travel magazine Wanderlust has put the area on a list of eight of the world's Threatened Wonders: the first list almost becoming a self-fulfilling prophecy for the second.

Maria Island remains mostly untouched by all this attention and activity. Tourists are put off by the sometimes choppy Mercury Passage and the relatively expensive and infrequent ferry crossing which, unlike the Bruny Island ferry, is not government-run or subsidised. Also, the island has only the most basic accommodation. The options are camping out or sleeping on bunks in old convict quarters. There is little fresh water in summer, no shop and not even a place to buy a cup of tea. For others, half the beauty of going to Maria is its remoteness from all the crowded campsites and holiday homes along the coast. Businessman Ian Johnstone has made the most of the island's emptiness and remote charms with his award-winning luxury guided walks. Yet local business groups say it is an opportunity missed. The Orford Triabunna Chamber of Commerce wants some State Government investment in infrastructure and promotion.

The local mayor even suggests a few golf carts to help people with disabilities get around the site of the historic settlement on Maria. This Government (or perhaps the next one if it is replaced in the March 20 state election) should decide what it wants to do about Maria Island and develop a policy. It does have great potential as a tourist attraction, with its beautiful scenery, its beaches, rich history and wildlife . Does the Government want to encourage more tourism? If so, if needs to promote it better and consider ferry subsidies. Would it prefer to limit the number of visitors and maintain the island as more of a wildlife sanctuary? There has been talk of turning it into an ark for a healthy population of Tasmanian devils, quarantined from the cancer that is destroying so many of these creatures in the rest of the state, but that has not happened either.

The range of options is enormous. At one extreme is the example of Schouten Island, at the southern tip of the Freycinet National Park, which is almost completely inaccessible to tourists. At the other are heavily used walks such as Wineglass Bay. The Government might decide to ignore the pleas of Orford and Triabunna businessmen and decide that the present arrangements are good enough. If so, it should say so, rather than letting the situation drift on in uncertainty. If it is good enough to develop a new national park at the Bay of Fires, it is worth establishing an identity and a clear plan for the existing Maria Island National Park, so local businesses and tourists know where they stand. The island has a history of grand visions, most of which have failed or simply failed to materialise. It is time for a new vision that works. *Mercury

Ed Comment; One of the reasons tourists have forsaken Maria Island is that every year they close the Island and have a shootfest and kill hundreds of kangaroos and wallabies. Read more..http://www.kangaroo-protection-coalition.com/mariaisland.html


Koalas

Koalas are overpopulating the Adelaide Hills and may have to be relocated or sterilised, as has been the case on Kangaroo Island. Environment and Heritage Department officials have warned there is a "looming issue of overpopulation in the Adelaide Hills", in advice made public yesterday by the Australian Koala Foundation, which disputes the findings. Adelaide Hills and foothills residents have reported increasing numbers of the animals this summer as they search for water in yards and swimming pools and cause a hazard on roads. The Environment and Heritage Department would not say how it planned to tackle the "considerable increase" in numbers. In a statement department regional conservator Dr Laurence Haegi said: "There has been a marked and sustained increase in calls to assist with incidents involving koalas in the Adelaide Hills and adjacent urban areas."

Australian Koala Foundation chief executive Deborah Tabart has demanded the scientific basis of the department's claim be released because it was being used by the Federal Government to argue that no additional protection for the animal was needed. "There is a growing concern that the koala is in the way of the Rudd Government's very large infrastructure program such as new roads," she said. Queensland University Professor Hugh Possingham, the architect of the koala population control on Kangaroo Island, said there was anecdotal evidence the Hills population was increasing and he warned something should be done. "Most people were interested in Kangaroo Island (a decade ago), nobody was interested in the Mount Lofty Ranges issue but we were aware it was going to be a big issue," he said. Inquiries by The Advertiser have also revealed that experts from the University of Adelaide, Cleland Wildlife Sanctuary and Adelaide Zoo fear kidney failure in one in 10 Hills koalas has been caused by water shortages. *Adelaide Now


The Fair Dinkum Characters

The new Summer range of toddlers wildlife shirts, shorts, and singlets are now avaliable on the Fair Dinkum Characters website at http://www.fairdinkum-characters.com too late for Christmas unfortuntely. The Dinkums are Ambassadors for the Wildlife Protection Association of Australia Inc. Watch for them playing in a Shopping Centre near you!

New political party, Animal Justice Party The time has come for animals to have a voice in the political arena. Animal Rights/Welfare is the next social justice movement and everyone can be a part of it. Please go to this website below to see how you can make a difference. Help end the suffering and become a voice for those without one. http://www.animaljusticeparty.org/About_the_AJP.html There you will find forms for both NSW and Federal memebrship. At this point no memebership fee is payable, and its important to get 750 members for the ANIMAL JUSTICE PARTY to be registered as a political party. Other States will follow. It is important you fill in your name exactly as it appears on the Electoral Roll, otherwise your application will be invalid. You can download membership forms from the website. Please post to this address only... Animal Justice Party, P.O. Box 3126, Blakehurst 2221, Sydney NSW http://www.animaljusticeparty.org/About_the_AJP.html The animals need you......


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


Kangaroos - Faces in the Mob! (We recently ran out od stock of this very popular magical DVD, but now have new supplies in! Buy Now! Buy Now!....before we run out again!)

On the east coast of Australia lies a valley of magical beauty, surrounded by mountains and shrouded in mists during winter. In these idyllic surroundings live a mob of wild Eastern Grey Kangaroos whose society is rich and complex. Faces in the mob is an engaging true story of life within this one mob of Australian wild Eastern Grey Kangaroos.

For two years, award-winning Australian filmmakers Dr. Jan Aldenhoven and Glen Carruthers lived with this mob. Hear their compelling account of the world of these captivating marsupials where each animal has its own personality. Buy the DVD now with Paypal...$29.95 Au includes free postage in Australia.

http://www.kangaroo-protection-coalition.com/kangaroos-facesinthemob.html

Follow the destinies of two lovable joeys - a female named Sunshade whose mother is conscientious and successful, and Jaffa, a little male full of pluck and courage whose mother is absent-minded. And witness everything from birth to the dramatic and sometimes deadly battles between adult males.

Never before has the richness and complexity of the kangaroo society and the daily drama of their family life been revealed in such stunning detail. Superbly photographed, this beautiful story of Australia's most famous animal will captivate you from beginning to end. This is the best documentary about our beloved kangaroos that has ever been produced. Profits from sales of the DVD go to help the Kangaroo Protection Coalition to campaign for the protection of our beautiful kangaroos.

Buy the DVD now with $34.95 Au Paypal for International postage delivery. http://www.kangaroo-protection-coalition.com/kangaroos-facesinthemob.html

This DVD would make a great "All Year Round" present!

Fraser Island

We have been sent some links to video footage of the Fraser Island dingoes. It's the best Fraser Island dingo footage we have ever seen, and should be seen by everyone. All dingoes in this footage have since been killed by DERM. All places in this footage were burnt out by DERM. There is nothing but this footage, and the memories of these dingoes left. Please spread the links to all your mailing lists, and place comments. Before it’s too late, and there are no dingoes left. The Queensland Government's Fraser Island Dingo Management Plan is the worst wildlife management blunder ever committed in Queensland....and there have been some bad ones! This footage was taken by Jennifer Parkhurst, who had her house raided by police and DERM rangers early one morning last year. Her photos, documents, computer hard drives were seized and taken, even framed photoes were removed and taken from the wall of her house. The search warrant claimed they were looking for dog food. These are the actions of the Queensland Labor Government, and even Jo Beilke-Peterson, for all the criticism he received, never sank so low as to send a bunch of thugs early one morning to terrorise a woman in her own home.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6cR1EtbNiNs Dingoes howling, if you've never seen or heard a dingo this is "must-watch" footage.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DPnIZtgvCaQ Dingoes approaching a beach walker wanting to play.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ehX8LwCrWqE A group of dingoes playing. All these dingoes in this footage above have since been killed by the Queensland Government.

May the dingoes Rest In Peace.