Wildlife Bytes 9/6/10

Preston Kangaroos


The majority of respondents to a recent inmycommunity poll believe the Shire of Waroona's decision to cull 60 kangaroos from the Preston Beach Golf Club was wrong. About 72 per cent of respondents said the cull at the club, adjacent to Yalgorup National Park, should not have gone ahead. Just under 28 per cent regarded it as necessary. The cull was prompted by Preston Beach Golf Club members, who claimed kangaroos were damaging the fairways and threatening users of the course. The cull was sanctioned by the Department of Environment and Conservation. *Inmycommunity

US Oil Spill

British Petroleum has been steamrolling both the federal government and the press over this oil catastrophe in the Gulf. For starters, the U.S. Coast Guard is now threatening to arrest journalists who try to cover the story by invoking "BP rules" that forbid journalists from conducting investigative journalism. (http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2010 ...) As reported by CBS News: "When CBS News tried to reach the beach, covered in oil, a boat of BP contractors with two Coast Guard officers on board told us to turn around under threat of arrest." In other words, the U.S. Coast Guard is now protecting the financial interests of corporations by trying to censor a story the public needs to see. At the same time, BP thumbed its nose at the EPA and flatly refused to use less-toxic chemical dispersants in its cleanup efforts. So yesterday, the White House ordered BP to cut its use of chemical dispersants by half. The chemical in question is called Corexit, and so far BP has dumped 650,000 gallons of the toxic chemical in the Gulf of Mexico. And yet, as the Guardian reports, "Scientists told congressional hearings last week that Corexit was more toxic and less effective than other dispersants on the market. Conservationists fear the chemical could further jeopardize already depleted stocks of fish such as Atlantic bluefin tuna or poison endangered species of turtle." (http://www.guardian.co.uk/environme...)read more http://www.naturalnews.com/028863_British_Petroleum_Gulf_of_Mexico.html


Meanwhile Federal Resources Minister Martin Ferguson has announced 31 new offshore petroleum exploration areas in Australia. The announcement was made at the Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association's conference in Brisbane last week. The areas range over five basins, with 26 exploration areas in Western Australia, two in the Ashmore and Cartier islands, two in South Australia and one in the Northern Territory. Exploration companies will have two chances to bid for the right to explore the areas, with contracts to be awarded in November this year and May next year. Unfortunately the areas have high conservation values. Michelle Grady from the Pew Environment Group says it is the first time exploration has been approved in areas also being considered as marine sanctuaries. She says the locations include areas off Kangaroo Island in South Australia and off the north-west coast of WA. "Pretty much all the areas announced today are right over the top of areas that the Federal Environment Minister Peter Garrett is looking at for protection and that's because these areas are critically important for marine life," she said. *Network Item National Parks

A new national park has been declared on Cape York Peninsula covering an area home to endangered parrots and rare rock-wallabies. The 42,500-hectare park, west of Cooktown, was named Alwal National Park at a ceremony on Wednesday. Acting Environment Minister Annastacia Palaszczuk said the park was a significant nesting ground for the endangered golden-shouldered parrot. She said it also was home to the endangered red goshawk bird and the rare Cape York rock-wallaby. "It features diverse landscapes from sandstone escarpments, low hills and seasonal wetlands to patches of vine thicket, and protects the upper reaches of Morehead River and its tributaries ...,'' Ms Palaszcuk said. She said traditional owners and Queensland's department of environment and resource management would jointly manage the park. A second property on Cape York, covering 37,000 hectares, has also been handed back to traditional owners under Wednesday's agreement and will include a 2,700-hectare nature refuge. Ms Palaszczuk signed off on the agreement on Wednesday, saying it was another milestone for indigenous land rights and another win for conservation in Queensland. *CM

Kangaroos

A south-west Queensland grazier says a growing number of kangaroos are threatening the native environment. AgForce has established a new kangaroo advisory group to highlight concerns about roo management and re-establish controlled harvesting. The group's spokesman and Quilpie grazier, Stephen Tully, says there have been significant problems with kangaroo control during the past decade of drought. "We've just seen anywhere that's had a bit of a storm or anywhere that's got a little bit of grass has just been decimated by migrating numbers of kangaroos," he said. "I went out with a roo shooter to find out why these roos aren't being harvested and the fact was that none of them were big enough to be harvested, so we were left with this enormous problem of kangaroos just destroying what remnant of pasture there was left." *ABC

Wildlife Poaching

A man who poked a forked tongue at the law has been fined $4500 for taking snakes and other reptiles from national parks in Queensland's far north. Rhys Bernard Livens has pleaded guilty in the Cairns Magistrates Court to nine charges under the Nature Conservation Act. Some of the charges relate to the discovery of seven carpet pythons, three water pythons and a spotted python at his home in October 2008. They were taken from various locations, including the Barron Gorge and Lakefield national parks. In 2009, authorities went back to the man's Cairns home and found more reptiles - two chameleon geckos, a carpet python, an amethystine python, a northern velvet gecko and two thick-tailed geckos. He admitted taking all of the animals from the wild. Magistrate Jane Bentley fined Livens $3500 for the 2008 offences and $1000 for the 2009 offences. Sustainability Minister Annastacia Palasczcuk said the case was a warning to others not to take native animals from the wild. ``They can't be released back into their natural environment because it cannot be verified whether they picked up diseases during their time in captivity,'' she said. Livens admitted to catching hundreds of snakes over a long period of time, but said he only kept a small selection. *Courier Mail

Fishing

The world's largest container shipping company, Maersk, refuses to ship a number of at-risk marine species including several caught by New Zealand fisheries, reports Greenpeace. In response to the overfishing crisis facing our oceans, Maersk – which transports about 20 per cent of all international seafood that goes by water (1) – will not carry Antarctic and Patagonian toothfish (also sold as Chilean sea bass), orange roughy or any species of shark and whale aboard its ships. "Ninety per cent of our fish is exported offshore and it's our fifth biggest export earner (2). If the New Zealand Government and fishing companies don't stay ahead of the global sustainability movement our seafood industry could end up gutted," said Greenpeace New Zealand oceans campaigner Karli Thomas. "The net is closing on destructive fisheries as retailers continue to reject unsustainable seafood and now a major shipping company is refusing to transport a number of species plundered from our oceans." *Underwater Times

Birds

Thousands of banded stilts are breeding in the Lake Eyre region of outback South Australia for the first time in a decade. The Environment Department says banded stilts are a vulnerable species. The presence of the birds was noticed by a pilot who was flying over the area. Authorities are hopeful there could be more than 7,000 chicks from the breeding season. Lake Eyre is often dry but has been filling as floodwaters flow from Queensland and northern New South Wales. *ABC

Dolphins

A British expat could face a £27,000 fine or two years in prison for dolphin harassment after he claims he unwittingly sailed into the middle of a pod of 150 of the animals off the Cape Town coast. Ralph Rees, 52, was allegedly spotted sailing his twin-engined boat through the mammals in False Bay sparking anger from eye witnesses on shore nearby. When he was accompanied into port by Pat Stacey, the local harbourmaster, in Kalk Bay, south of Cape Town, onlookers shouted abuse at Mr Rees. He was taken to a police station before being charged under the 1998 Marine Living Resources Act which prevents sailors from attempting to "kill, fish for or harass a whale or a dolphin". After the incident in April, Mr Stacey said: "I was on shore at the time and I could see him sailing through the dolphins in his motor boat. People were very upset on shore so I got a boat to take me out to where he was and escorted back to the harbour. "The law is very clear on this. Dolphins are a protected species under the act and must not be upset by people in boats." Mr Rees, who lives in the former British naval base of Simon's Town on the Cape Peninisula, was not required to enter a plea at Muizenberg Magistrate's Court on Wednesday and will appear again in September. He declined to speak at his home after the hearing but his wife said Mr Rees did not realise he was breaking the law. "He's very upset about the whole thing and a bit embarrassed. The dolphins were swimming round the boat – he didn't go to them," said Mrs Rees who said they lived in Cardiff before moving to South Africa. *Network Item

Burnoffs

Tasmania's environmental watchdog has held preliminary talks with the state's top prosecutor about the possibility of criminal charges relating to forestry burn-offs. The Environment Protection Authority says it will now consider whether it can prosecute Forestry Tasmania for breaching guidelines in the Huon Valley last month. The EPA's also investigating the possibility that smoke from Gunns' burn-offs near Burnie and Wynyard last month breached the guidelines. * ABC

Rat Plague

There is expected to be an explosion in rat numbers across parts of southern Queensland this winter. Pest controller Steve Endeor says there could be an increase in rodent numbers by up to 30 per cent in parts of Brisbane and the Darling Downs. He says heavy rain has meant there has been an abundant food supply this year. "As the winter now progresses on, this food source sort of dies off and the rodents will start looking for other alternatives and colder weather - they often love to move indoors and somewhere warm to nest and breed as well," he said. Its currently unkown wether these rats are natives or exotics. *Network Item


Whales

Recent sightings by Southern Cross University research scientists and Cape Byron Trust volunteers confirm that humpback whales have begun their annual migration up the east coast of Australia past Cape Byron. Cape Byron Trust chairperson Yvonne Stewart said each year local residents and visitors were privileged to observe one of nature’s great spectacles, as whales migrate along the coast. “Cape Byron is recognised as one of the best land based places in the world to watch humpback whales,” Ms Stewart said. “During their migration whales can come quite close to the coastline and are often seen in groups or a ‘pod’ of three or four. “The whales pass north along the NSW coast on their way to breeding grounds off the Queensland coast in the Coral Sea,” Ms Stewart said. “To celebrate the beginning of the humpback whale migration, Cape Byron Trust in partnership with Whales Alive, will be hosting guest speakers from Southern Cross University specialising in humpback whales.

“Whales Alive is a Pacific based, non-profit organisation dedicated to the protection and celebration of Whales.” On Saturday, June 5, World Environment Day, presentations will take place adjacent to the lighthouse from 11am to 12.30pm. “Whales Alive and Cape Byron Trust volunteers will be on hand with binoculars and advice to assist people to locate whales whilst listening to the guest speakers. “Speakers will introduce people to whale biology and ecology, explain the nature and extent of humpback whale migration up the east coast and then explore the behaviour and social systems of humpback whales. “The day should be a great opportunity for people to find out a bit about whales and maybe see a few whales pass the Cape.” “Due to the limited amount of parking at the lighthouse the Trust would encourage those that can to walk up if possible,” said Ms Stewart. *Northern Star


Whaling

The US has warned that Australia's decision to take Japan to court over whaling is an uncertain gamble on whales' lives. If Australia loses, all other anti-whaling countries will have lost as well, Washington's top whale policy official, Monica Medina, says. Ms Medina, the US commissioner at the International Whaling Commission, told the Herald yesterday the US wanted to save whales now using the diplomatic route, rather than take a chance on favourable litigation. ''This is a 'bet the whales' case,'' she said of the Australian case to be lodged at the International Court of Justice this week. Ms Medina's comments highlight a difference of opinion between the two anti-whaling countries before President Barack Obama's planned visit to Australia, and a critical commission meeting in Morocco from June 21. Washington is still pushing for an IWC deal to rein in hunts and close loopholes that allow abuses like ''scientific'' whaling, although deep splits remain between pro- and anti-whaling sides.

''Australia has made its decision, but the US remains committed to the diplomatic process because we want to save whales now, not take a chance on a favourable outcome in litigation that will take several years to conclude,'' Ms Medina said. ''I prefer to maintain control of any possible outcomes by recommitting to working for a negotiated solution where we get to decide what an acceptable outcome is, rather than leave that decision up to a court.'' However, the US-based International Fund for Animal Welfare said the Australian action was bold and refreshing. ''I don't think it will enhance the prospects of an about-face by Japan in Morocco, but I don't think that was going to happen anyway,'' said Patrick Ramage, the fund's global whales program director. The Japanese government said the Australian action was regrettable while the commission talks were continuing. The Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd, said at the weekend the legal action was being taken now because, although talks continued, diplomacy had not worked, and it was time to make Australia's approach ''crystal clear''.

The Opposition Leader, Tony Abbott, supported ''effective and appropriate'' international legal action against whaling. Details of Australia's case are being withheld by the government before the lodging of papers at the ICJ in The Hague this week. An ANU international law professor, Don Rothwell, said he expected Australia would seek an injunction to halt research whaling while the case was heard. Professor Rothwell was a member of legal panels who argued that whaling was an ''abuse of right'' under international law because the commission's scientific whaling clause was never intended for such a large-scale hunt. Under this clause Japan kills about 1000 whales annually using self-awarded permits and sells the whale meat. In a preview of the Japanese argument likely to be put against Australia at the ICJ, a legal adviser to the whalers dismissed claims that this was an abuse. Dan Goodman, of the Institute of Cetacean Research, said that as long as whalers used scientific research methods, the number was justified. *Brisbane Times


Wildlife

Iconic wildlife campaigner Bob Irwin has made an impassioned plea for Australians to “reconnect” with nature, claiming most people have lost their basic respect for the environment and our native animals. In a rare public statement, the father of late Crocodile Hunter Steve Irwin and founder of Australia Zoo accused government officials of lacking integrity on environmental issues and warned the community risked losing everything if it didn’t soon take a stand. The comments were contained in a four-minute video filmed for a fundraiser held by the Australian Society For Kangaroos in Sydney last week. Looking fit and well despite a recent heart attack which stopped him from attending the function in person, the 70-year-old said the nation’s attitude towards the “neglect and cruelty” of native wildlife should be of grave concern to all Australians.

“I know personally, the feelings of frustration and anger and disgust that we all feel at the stupidity and lack of integrity of our governments and the loathing and disgust that we all have for those murderous thugs who commit acts of cruelty,” he said. “As a nation, we no longer have basic respect for our environment or our special wildlife. “Our governments are indifferent to the loss of our wildlife and, even worse, condone cruelty within the kangaroo industry and elsewhere. “Our society has become consumed by greed and apathy. “Our attitude to neglect and cruelty towards our native wildlife should be of grave concern to all Australians.” Mr Irwin called on the community to preserve the environment for future generations, warning the consequences of failing to do so would be dire.

“I call on all Australians to reconnect with the environment that supports us so generously; to appreciate the incredibly unique wildlife that we are lucky enough to have in this wonderful country and to stand up and protect what we so often take for granted.” And he called for pressure to be put on governments to take action. “I ask you, when you hear of wildlife atrocities and are outraged, please funnel that passion into letters to our government, telling them of such acts and asking them to put a stop to it. “Only with public pressure will things change.” * Coolum/Nth Shore News


Kangaroos

Eating kangaroo meat is good for the environment, right? Not so, claims a new think tank established at the Institute for Sustainable Futures. Dr Dror Ben-Ami explains how the group plans to rectify misconceptions about kangaroos and reshape our relationship with the iconic Aussie animal. Taken together, it is likely that up to a million young are killed annually as collateral damage and their carcasses not used. This is unacceptable by international standards. THINKK has been established to undertake independent research on kangaroos in Australia, and aims to reconnect the Australian community to kangaroos in a sustainable landscape, promoting the wellbeing of kangaroo populations by exploring non-lethal management methods and coexistence. Our research advisory committee includes experts on macropod biology (the biology of kangaroos), policy and animal welfare. By informing the current one-dimensional academic discourse, which is focused solely on how to utilise kangaroos through culling, we will test a number of prevalent views about kangaroos.

The first misconception is that kangaroos compete with livestock for resources and should therefore be extensively culled. Scientific research has been conducted on this important issue for over 30 years, primarily in Australia’s rangelands. It’s been well established that the total grazing and water use pressure of a kangaroo is only a small fraction of that of sheep and cattle. Scientific research informs us that noteworthy competition with sheep and cattle is only likely under extreme drought conditions in the rangelands. Additionally, economic analysis shows any realised loss of livestock productivity, due to competition from kangaroos, is significantly outweighed by fluctuations in meat and wool prices. Furthermore, there is no ecological evidence to indicate whether there are more or less kangaroos today than pre-European settlement. Secondly, it’s been claimed that with high enough prices for kangaroo meat and skins, farmers could viably switch from livestock to kangaroos with great benefit to the environment. More recently, it has also been suggested greenhouse gasses would decrease as a result, a view endorsed and promoted by the Garnaut Climate Change Review.

However, this is not the case. Kangaroos produce far less human consumable meat than livestock. Our estimates suggest only three kilograms per animal is of good quality, which contrasts vastly with industry estimates of 12 kilograms. Taking the latter figure, a single carcass could feed 48 people with a 250 gram portion. This would require 24 million kangaroos to be culled annually to provide one meal, for every Australian, per week. As quotas are restricted by sustainable yields of around 18 per cent, this would require populations of the four harvested kangaroo species to reach 133 million. At no time have such populations existed. Not only is it unfeasible, but there would be considerable environmental implications and increased danger of crashing while driving on rural roads.

In 2008, Australian Government estimates indicated a population of around 26 million harvestable kangaroos nationally, although records show that populations can reach 50 million when times are good. Of these, only between 2 and 6 million are currently harvested. Considering this fact, and that most livestock products are imported as processed meat, live shipment and wool, it is unlikely that a marginal or partial uptake of kangaroo meat will decrease the number of sheep and cattle on the land. Finally, eating kangaroo is thought by some to be supportive of a free range, cruelty-free and environmentally-friendly food source. However, the National Code of Practice for the Humane Shooting of Kangaroos and Wallabies for Commercial Purposes is currently inadequate and remains unenforceable. Contrary to claims by regulatory agencies, the industry is not fully professional, with a large proportion of casual shooters amongst licensees.

Kangaroos that are inaccurately targeted (not hit in the head from 80 to 200 metres at night) may suffer a painful, protracted death and their carcasses will not be utilised. Pouch-young joeys are clubbed on the head. Young-at-foot are supposed to be shot, but since the industry is self-regulated, they are often left to die of starvation or predation. Taken together, it is likely that up to a million young are killed annually as collateral damage and their carcasses not used. This is an unacceptable practice by international standards. In a similar case of harvested terrestrial wildlife, the products derived from young Canadian Harp Seals – which are clubbed to death – have been banned in most westernised countries. Using kangaroos to solve environmental problems and the ethical dilemmas of eating meat may seem at first glance like a good idea. However, closer scrutiny provides a significant challenge to this common view.

By bringing our policy expertise in multi-stakeholder engagement to the process, THINKK can provide insight into stakeholder values and drivers, and preferred scenarios and visioning for the future will be developed with key stakeholders. Developing policy recommendations and empowering policy makers to consider alternative management practices is the sustainable way forward. Presenting our research in print, online and through policy recommendations, THINKK will help to inform the public debate and reshape Australian society’s relationship with the kangaroo. A change that has long been needed. *University News


Birds and Sport

When Seven Network's head of sport, Saul Shtein, emerged from the bowels of the Melbourne Cricket Ground late on Friday night a fortnight ago he should have been a contented man. Geelong had just defeated Collingwood in a match of the round watched by more than 1 million viewers, making it the AFL's highest-rating home and away fixture in more than a year. Seven's 80-strong crew pulled off the live broadcast without a major hiccup. Shtein left the broadcast trucks buried beneath the stands and headed back to his hotel. But there was one question niggling away at the back of his mind. What to do about those seagulls? Throughout the 2010 season many close observers of Australian Rules Football in Melbourne have noticed unusually large flocks of seagulls congregating around the ground during night matches. Attracted by a combination of lights, insects and a large expanse of green grass, the common silver gull has been a regular visitor to the MCG over the years. But this season the birds have shown a particular enthusiasm for football. `The gulls at the G have been a problem for players, spectators and TV for quite some time and in this day and age when we are looking to send a human to Mars, you would think mankind could find a solution to the seagull issue,'' says Shtein.

Large flocks of birds can irritate fans at the game or watching on TV. During the Socceroos friendly against New Zealand, seagulls gave their critics a frightening taste of things to come when they literally burst out of the screen in Fox Sports' groundbreaking 3D broadcast. ``Animals on the sporting field can be a serious issue,'' says Shtein. ``A kangaroo on the track at Bathurst is incredibly scary for both driver and marsupial. ``Then again, pigs on the field when Plugger and Ian Botham were playing was very entertaining.'' Wildlife is an occupational hazard for sportspeople and broadcasters alike. In a World Cup qualifier against Uzbekistan in September 2008, Socceroos captain Lucas Neil risked the wrath of animal rights activists when he accidently kicked the ball into an injured bird that was having trouble vacating the field. Seagulls have held up the bowler or collided with balls on the cricket field. Major League baseball pitcher Randy ``The Big Unit'' Johnson once killed a dove when the bird swooped into the path of a fastball during a spring training game in 2001. The MCG says it receives regular complaints from fans. Spectators at last season's preliminary finals were particularly annoyed when large flocks obscured their view. The Herald Sun runs a steady trickle of seagull-related grievances in its pages. ``A reminder to the AFL and MCG management: we pay good money to see the footy, not seagulls! Buzz 'em off!'' wrote Frank of Warragul in late April. ``MCG, get rid of those bloody seagulls!'' texted LJG of Thornbury in May.

Even Victoria's Department of Sustainability and Environment describes the MCG's seagull population as ``overabundant''. Nine's head of sport, Steve Crawley, notes that bird problems seem to be largely confined to Melbourne. ``The ones up here (in Sydney) aren't causing as many problems,'' he says. `In rugby league, the only reference to seagulls was the great Jack Gibson, who was the first supercoach. He used to tell Peter Stirling, who now works with us, to kick for the seagulls because that meant there was no one around there.'' Nobody knows why gulls prefer the MCG at night. Or why some games attract large numbers of birds and others don't. But ecological consultant Peter Menkhorst suspects it has something to do with the lights (most seabirds are attracted to light) and the temperature (which affects the amount of dew). ``In drought-stricken Melbourne you've got this patch of emerald-green grass that is watered and fertilised so it probably looks like a productive environment,'' he says. Shtein, who has also worked for Fox Sports and Nine, producing Wide World of Sports during its heyday, has broadcast a lot of sport in his time. Like many long-time TV executives, Shtein worries about details. Some problems have obvious solutions such as the time Seven boss David Leckie decided that the top of the nets at the Australian Open were too crinkly (an iron was fetched). Other problems, such as the ones involving animals, are more difficult to solve.

It turns out silver gulls, like most native animals, are a protected species which means there are stiff penalties for anyone who harms one. Even a person who willfully ``disturbs, chases or herds'' a seagull will cop a $2336.40 fine under the Wildlife Act. Responsibility for managing birds rests with the various sports grounds. In recent years, there has been much discussion about the merits of using birds of prey to scare off the seagulls. The idea took hold after it emerged that Full Flight Birds of Prey, an education, breeding and tourist centre in Flemington, flew its collection of raptors near the famous race track. Flemington has fewer problems with seagulls as a result. The Peregrine falcon is the world's fastest bird, capable of diving at more than 300km/h and clubbing its prey to death with its strong legs and razor-sharp talons. It also happens to be the gull's natural predator.

Last year Full Flight began a study into the use of raptors to discourage other birds that may cause a nuisance. Full Flight keeper Graeme Coles says the AFL and the MCG were keen to know the results. Coles already helps remove pigeons (which are not offered the same protection as gulls) from the MCG roof. He knows seagulls are protected and hoped his work would earn him a permit from the DSE to frighten the gulls by strategically perching wedge-tailed eagles around the ground. However, after he appeared in The Herald Sun explaining the benefits of using trained eagles with a strict ``no-kill'' policy, the DSE made it clear that no permit would be forthcoming. ``The (DSE) does not issue Authority to Control Wildlife permits for the use of animals to attack or scare other animals,'' a department spokesman says. * The Australian


Fraser Island Dingoes

Recently 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 the dingoes. People can contribute to the fund at Westpac Bank, Pialba, Hervey Bay. Save Fraser island Dingoes Inc. BSB 034-136 Acct 303196.


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!