Leading Stories
Wingham Brush has re-opened to the public after a temporary closure to allow removal of the bodies of 1300 grey headed flying foxes which succumbed to last week's heatwave. Volunteers from FAWNA (For Australian Wildlife Needing Aid) worked alongside National Parks and Wildlife Service staff all day Sunday and again Monday morning, filling 60 bags with the bodies of the emaciated flying foxes. After cleaning the Brush's boardwalks and forest floor, the popular tourist attraction re-opened to the public about lunchtime on Monday. "It was a matter of public hygiene," NPWS area manager Kevin Carter said of the short-term closure. Although there have been mass deaths of flying foxes at Wingham Brush before, experts have a theory that the weekend kill involved already starving mammals which left their usual summer-time camps in Queensland after the recent disastrous floods.
Having already lost condition when their feeding grounds were decimated in the north, they made the long journey to Wingham, where the current dry spell has caused a decline in flying fox food sources. Then, having lost condition, and already dehydrated, many succumbed to almost a week of temperatures in the high 30s and low 40s. By Sunday, the number of bodies falling onto the Brush's network of boardwalks and to the ground necessitated a closure to visitors. "I have no scientific explanation, but I personally believe they died as a result of heat stress and starvation," FAWNA's senior flying fox co-ordinator for the Mid North Coast, Amanda Boardman OAM said yesterday. "They were all so thin you could put your fingers on either side of their back, and your fingers would touch. It was ghastly," she said. Ms Boardman said a FAWNA carer raised the alarm on Sunday morning, after finding "heaps of them" on the ground.
Wingham Brush is normally home to anywhere between 100,000 and 200,000 flying foxes, most of them the grey headed species, but also varying numbers of both black and little red flying foxes. They are among the 160 species of flying fox found widely through south-east Asia and north-east Australia where they inhabit tropical rainforests. Numbers are declining due to hunting and habitat destruction, and grey headed flying foxes are now listed as vulnerable under the Threatened Species Conservation Act. The nine hectare Wingham Brush is one of the last remaining pockets of tropical rainforest in the mammals' most southerly distribution area, and has been renowned as one of Australia's well established maternity colonies, usually with a good availability of food sources. However numbers can fluctuate from time to time, depending on weather and food conditions and other 'acts of nature'.
Seven years ago, as the Manning sweated through 17 consecutive days of temperatures above 30 degrees, and when Wingham at times reached highs of 43, 5000 flying foxes succumbed and their bodies had to be removed in an operation that began on Christmas Day. Then in December 2005, a huge hailstorm wiped out a further 5000 from the summer-time colony. "Things like this have happened before, but it's nevertheless distressing to everyone concerned," Ms Boardman said yesterday. "I believe the heat was the final factor in probably several other factors, which led to the latest deaths. "We have found recently a lot of adults have been caught in (fruit protection) nets, and that only happens when there is no natural food. "The blossoms they normally feed on have obviously dried up, and they're starving." Up till now, numbers of flying foxes in Wingham Brush this summer have been very high, she said. "But there's now just not enough food. We are getting reports of lots of starvation situations, both here and up and down the coast."
Ms Boardman, who was awarded an OAM for her volunteer service to wildlife including 21 years of work with FAWNA, covers an area stretching from the Great Lakes and Bulahdelah in the south, to Macksville in the north. She is currently caring for 40 young and/or injured flying foxes at her home just north of Taree. Many of the young ones have been orphaned or abandoned when their mothers have ceased lactating. It's an around-the-clock job for her, helped by her small band of tireless volunteers. She can see flying fox numbers constantly dropping, "and that's a worry," she said. "Mainly it's habitat loss, but climate change is not helping." Anyone needing the services of FAWNA can contact 6581 4141, and Ms Boardman warns that anyone finding a sick or injured flying fox should not attempt to touch it, but to call for assistance. *Manning River Times
Kangaroos
The treatment of eastern greys has been a major point of contention fuelling a damaging rift in the Central West branch of the Wildlife Rescue and Information (WIRES) group. The issue dominated a long crisis meeting called by the state board of WIRES on Saturday to thrash out issues in the local branch. Several disgruntled WIRES members have claimed that all eastern grey kangaroos handed in to local wildlife carers were euthanased because the branch had failed to identify suitable release sites for the animals. WIRES Central West chairman Jim Watt last week flatly rejected that claim, but the Western Advocate has now received a copy of the minutes of a 2010 meeting that urges members to not even discuss the issue with the public. “Members are not to tell MOPs [members of the public] that the joey may be euthanased,” the minutes state during a broader discussion about the treatment of eastern grey kangaroos. And an email to members from the local branch’s macropod coordinator last August said they were “desperately short of release sites” across the Central West, and particularly around Bathurst, Orange and Blayney. “We have a number of EGKs in care at present with no release sites allocated for them,” the email says. “We cannot continue to take joeys into care if we can’t release them into suitable habitat.”
State board chairman Bill Thompson, who was in Bathurst on Saturday for a crisis meeting of the local branch, said “members’ expectations that all eastern grey joeys will always be able to be cared for and successfully released need to be matched with the reality that currently there are not enough release sites”. “To overpopulate current release sites would be a mistake,” Mr Thompson said. “WIRES will be working with the Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water for better outcomes for these animals. “If local landholders would like to offer their properties for the release of native animals, WIRES would gratefully consider these as long as they meet the conditions of our licence.” Mr Thompson said the WIRES Central West branch currently had 28 eastern grey joeys in care, “with the expectation that they will all be able to be released locally”. “There is no truth to the claim that all eastern grey joeys that come into the care of WIRES members are euthanased,” he said.
A local WIRES member said she was worried about the treatment of these animals following the claims they were being euthanased. The member, who didn’t wish to be named, works in the Lithgow, Portland and Wallerawang area and said so many members were resigning because of the politics involved within the club. “Members are resigning and it is not fair on the animals. “All these people are volunteers and we are just here to help the animals and these people don’t realise that it isn’t about them, it is about caring for and releasing the animals.” The source said a number of WIRES members were resigning after harassment from other members of the wider group and their belief that they were not able to do the job they volunteered for. *Lithgow Mercury
Editorial
Once again we would like to thank all the wonderful people who have already donated to help flood and storm affected wildlife in Queensland. Wildlife lovers from around the World have so far contributed nearly $40,000 to help Qld wildlife carers rescue, feed and rehabilitate Queensland flood affected wildlife. The Wildlife Protection Association of Australia Inc had several enquiries asking how people could donate to help flood affected wildlife, so we opened an Appeal. $29,000 was received in 3 days, with the Appeal now nearly $40,000, and more cheques and online donations arriving every day. Well over $30,000 has so far been distributed to hands-on wildlife carers working with flood and cyclone affected wildlife in Queensland, and more is on its way. Wildlife carer groups in Victoria and NSW have also organised donations of food and supplies to many Queensland wildlife groups. Noone will convince us that people dont care about our wildlife...it's Governments that dont care!
Most donations came from Australians, but also the US and UK, and several other countries. Several donations to WPAA were for $2000, and the Derby City Council in the UK sent 100 UK pounds.The funds have gone ( or are going) to wildlife groups and individuals that were not funded by the Government, but are using their own finances and resources to work with our injured and orphaned wildlife. There's no doubt we have lost a lot of wildlife in the floods, especially the smaller animals like echidnas, bandicoots, and reptiles, but there have been some amazing rescues as well.
Cyclone Yasi, and the Central and Southeast Queensland flooding, has done a huge amount of damage to wildlife habitat, with undergrowth flattened, and many lowland areas flooded. Flowers, fruit and berries, food for birds, gliders, possums, and flying foxes has been blown off the trees and shrubs, and most wildlife carers expect large numbers of starving creatures will need to be rescued and fed until they can be rehabilitated. It may be months before the full extent of the unprecedented weather impact on our wildlife will be known. However, it's expected that during the next six months more starving wildlife will need to fed and rehabilitated. Donations are still coming in, and tax deductable donations can also be made online. ( See below) *
Fundraising for Flood Wildlife Continues
The Australian Wildlife Protection Council Inc. is collecting funds to offer a reward for information leading to a prosecution or conviction of the person or persons responsible for running down and killing kangaroos in the grounds of Morriset Hospital, near Newcastle. All donations made in Australia are tax deductible if made out to AWPC Public Fund or just AWPC donation. Post your cheque/money order to Australian Wildlife Protection Council Inc. C/- Maryland Wilson, President, 1098 Stumpy Gully Rd Moorooduc 3933 Victoria. A tax-deductable receipt can be sent to you. OR Make a deposit straight into AWPC’s account at your local Commonwealth Bank branch: BSB 063535, Account 10090791 Please include your name and purpose as reference when making a deposit. Eg. Freda Bloggs, Morisset Reward. Also, email Maryland Wilson, kangaroo@ hotkey.net.au and leave your name and address so a receipt can be sent to you. *AWPC
Wildlife Protection Association of Australia Inc has set up a Donation Fund, where people who wish to donate to help flood-affected wildlife can do just that. Any moneys donated to this Fund will only be provided to non government funded wildlife carers groups or individuals who are actively working on helping wildlife flood victims, orphaned or injured. Funding will be provided to wildlife carers for fuel to get into the flood affected areas, and for wildlife food, over the next months. We know who these carers are, and where they are, and we'd like to help them too, so if you would like to help the wildlife flood and cylcone victims you can donate here, tax-deductible within Australia. Donate here..... http://www.kangaroo-protection-coalition.com/floodwildlife.html
QWRC has also set up a trust fund to receive donations for wildlife carers affected by floods. Donations can be made to the wildlife disaster relief fund by direct deposit to the QWRC Trust Fund account BSB 814-282 and account number 30932248 and QWRC ask that people please use their surname as a reference. They will ensure all funds are distributed where they are most needed.
A new Fundraiser which we absolutely support has just been announced. Sydney Pet Rescue & Adoption has launched the Animal Flood Victims Emergency Appeal, and together with various other rescue groups, they are working hard to raise funds to support animals affected by the recent devastating floods in Qld. The Wildlife Protection Association of Australia is one of the organisations they have chosen to support with the Appeal. We will be using the funds they raise to support foster carers in the worst affected and priority areas, with financial support to assist with the rescue and foster care of wildlife.We thank SPRA and all the rescue groups who are working hard with them, for their support. Please click on this link to find out more about the appeal: http://www.freewebs.com/sydneypetrescueandadoption/floodappealanimals.htm SPR&A have donated $2000 to us to distibute to wildlife carers in flood and storm affected Queensland.
The Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital at Beerwah is also fundraising to help cover the cost of treating an influx of wildlife flood victims. Go to the Hospital website to donate.
Wildlife Groups in Victoria are arranging for food for wildlife and otherwildlife carers supples to be sent to Queensland. If any wildlife carers need anything, please contact us at info@wildlifeprotectaust.org.au and we will forward your details to them.
Bob Irwin is calling on the public to give generously towards helping set up cassowary feeding stations and longer term habiat protection in Mission Beach and surrounding areas after cyclone Yasi hit this area hard last week. Donations collected from Bob Irwins website http://www.bobirwinwildlife.com Rainforest Rescue’s website http://www.rainforestrescue.org.au and Save the Cassowary website http://www.savethecassowary.org.au will be pooled together and donated to the cause. More about Cassowaries below...........
Tigers
A woman rescued her husband from a tiger attack by hitting the beast over the head with a soup ladle. The big cat pounced on Tambun Dedin while he was hunting squirrels near his home in northern Malaysia. Luckily for the rodent catcher his 55-year-old wife Han Besau heard his screams and ran to his rescue. Armed with just a wooden spoon she had been using to cook soup, she bashed the tiger over the head, causing it to flee. Speaking from hospital where he was being treated for cuts Tambun paid tribute to his brave wife. He said: "I was terrified and I used all my strength to punch the animal in the face, but it would not budge." Tambun explained he had tried to climb a tree to try to escape but the tiger had dragged him down. He added: "I had to wrestle with it to keep its jaws away from me, and it would have clawed me to death if my wife had not arrived." Local wildlife officials said rangers planned to track down the tiger and chase it deeper into the jungle where it would not pose a threat to people. Orange.co.uk
Sharks
20 countries account for 80% of the global shark catch, according to the Pew Environment Group. The top catching nation is Indonesia, followed by India, Spain and Taiwan. Japan lies in 9th place, with an annual average catch of almost 25,000 tonnes, down from 75,000 tonnes of 40 years ago. The IUCN's red list shows that 30% of all shark species are threatened or near threatened with extinction, and an internationally agreed plan to conserve sharks reached 10 years ago has had little effect. "The fate of the world's sharks is in the hands of the world's top 20 shark catchers, most of which have failed to demonstrate what, if anything, they are doing to save these imperilled species," says Glenn Sant of the pressure group Traffic, which monitors the global trade in wildlife. *
Bison
A US judge says he will not stop the slaughter of potentially hundreds of wild bison from Yellowstone National Park that had attempted to migrate into Montana. Judge Charles Lovell has issued a 72-page ruling in which he denied a request from wildlife advocates to stop the slaughter. More than 500 bison are being held in corrals along the border of the snowed-in park after trying to leave for food at lower elevations. Park officials plan to send an undetermined number to slaughter under a federal-state agreement meant to protect Montana livestock against the reproductive disease brucellosis. Lovell wrote that while the slaughter of bison may be "distasteful," it is a "time-honoured" method of dealing with the disease. Opponents say they will appeal against the ruling. *Age
Flying Foxes
Some of the world's deadliest viruses are carried by bats and Australian scientists want to know how to stop the bats spreading disease to other animals and humans. The bats themselves often don't suffer any ill-effects despite the dangerous illnesses they carry. The CSIRO says it hopes to protect the health of people and livestock through a comprehensive research program into bats. The program aims to better understand bat immunology and also to identify strategies to control the viruses. Dr Linfa Wang, the leader of a team of scientists at CSIRO's Australian Animal Health Laboratory in Geelong, says it's important to understand the phenomenon of "host-switching", where a virus spreads from an existing host species to a new one. "In most cases these host-switching events go unnoticed, as no disease develops in the new host," Dr Wang said in a statement. "However, in other situations the virus adapts to the new species and causes severe disease and in some cases death." In the past, bats have been a key source of viruses such as hendra, ebola and SARS which were spread from bats to humans. There are many viruses that can spread from animals and cause disease in animals and humans. These diseases are called zoonoses. "Our research will assist in developing faster, more sensitive surveillance tools that may radically change the risk management of zoonotic diseases within Australia and worldwide," Dr Wang said. *CQ News
Fish Kill Spreads
A natural phenomenon that is killing fish in the Murray now stretches from the South Australian/Victorian border to Murray Bridge, south-east of Adelaide. Blackwater occurs when organic material such as leaves and bark is washed into the river by flood. The high organic content removes oxygen from the water and leads to deaths of some fish and other river life. Andrew Beale from the Water Department said it was a legacy of prolonged drought in recent years. "It's very large, it's about 1,400 kilometres long we estimate now, so it's something that's going to be with us for some time," he said. "This is a big one, but it's a perfectly natural phenomenon and we've dealt with these blackwater events in the past. "We've been in close contact with the Murray-Darling (Basin) Authority and the upstream jurisdictions as the events developed and travelled towards South Australia." *ABC
Tuna Quota Increase
Conservationists are in uproar over an increase in the permissible catch of Pacific tuna. Jemima Garrett reports the Australian Fisheries Management Authority has announced an increase in the allowable catch of some of the Pacific's most vulnerable tuna stocks. Conservation group Greenpeace is calling on the Australian Fisheries Minister, Joe Ludwig, to step in. The fisheries authority has increased the 2011 commercial catch limit for yellowfin tuna to 2,200 tonnes. Albacore goes up to 2,500 tonnes. The authority says these species are not overfished and can sustain a catch expansion. Greenpeace says the catch limits set for yellowfin and for bigeye tuna are more than 40 per cent above what is recommended by scientists. It says the authority is thumbing its nose at the Pacific and has called on Minister Ludwig to reduce the quotas to scientifically approved levels. *ABC
Kangaroo Sausages Anyone?
A well-known Townsville butcher has been charged with illegally possessing three kangaroo carcasses during a hunting trip late last year. Owner and manager of A. Mays Inn Meats, Raymond May, was fined $300 in the Townsville Magistrates Court. Kangaroos in Queensland are protected under the Nature Conservation Act 1992. The commercial harvesting of marsupials, including kangaroos and wallabies, in Queensland is subject to measures designed to ensure native animal numbers remained sustainable. Queenslanders need a licence or permit, or the authority to harvest kangaroos, for recreational or commercial use. Mr May, 59, pleaded guilty to illegally taking three carcasses from a property on Herveys Range Rd last October, after driving through a pack of large eastern grey kangaroos, killing three. When approached by police, Mr May claimed he was unaware of the legal ramifications associated with taking a protected animal run over by a vehicle.
Defence solicitor Rhianna Batt said her client was unaware it was an offence to keep the kangaroos, but he acknowledged that was not a defence to the charge. "My client instructs (that) he hit the kangaroos on the road and planned to pull them to the side of the road but decided to keep them," Ms Batt said. Mr May opened his Townsville venture more than six years ago and has part-owned a Charters Towers shop for about 25 years. He has been a qualified butcher for more than 42 years after starting his apprenticeship at the age of 13. Magistrate Howard Osborne questioned the reasoning behind the decision. "You must have had some idea that it wasn't the right thing to keep those animals," he said. "I will not be recording a conviction given your lack of criminal history and your current position in business in the community." *Townsville Bulletin
NMIT Kangaroos...the Plot Thickens
Kangaroos have been a part of Nancy Worland’s Eden Park home for the past eight years. She loved to gaze out her window and watch families of eastern grey kangaroos bask in the sun near her front garden. Mrs Worland, 71, lives 10km from her daughter’s Tenth Ave property, which adjoins the Northern Melbourne Institute of TAFE’S 320ha Northern Lodge, where a kangaroo cull is taking place. Shooting over the New Year broke Mrs Worland’s heart. “It sounded like a war zone and I was a shaking mess by the end of it,” she said. But Mrs Worland laughed as she told of one male kangaroo that used her bird bath to cool down during the heat of the day: “He was light grey and had blue eyes. He was a real dag ... he just sat there for hours with his head in my bird bath, next to the cat, of all things. “The families would come along and you’d get to see the little ones get out of the pouch for the first time; they’re funny little things, jumping all over their mothers.” Her daughter Nicole Biasizzo was notified by the TAFE institute last year of the Department of Sustainability-approved cull of up to 300 kangaroos, to continue until October 18 this year. “NMIT argues that the kangaroo population has flourished this year because of good rainfall, but this is unlikely as kangaroos do not breed like rabbits,” Ms Biasizzo said. “NMIT also argues that the kangaroos are presenting a risk to the safety of motorists. “With regular driving around Eden Park, my husband and I have never hit a kangaroo. “The DSE have failed to respond to my inquiries. They are not managing their relationship with the Victorian community.”
Whittlesea Mayor Rex Griffin has fought off claims of council inaction over the culling approval of 300 kangaroos at Eden Park. At the council meeting on February 1, Cr Griffin said the cull at the Northern Melbourne Institute of TAFE’s Northern Lodge farm was a matter for the Department of Sustainability. The Australian Society for Kangaroos said the mayor’s response wiped away all responsibility for the killings. Cr Griffin said he wanted to resurrect the kangaroo working group, which included the department, wildlife groups and the RSPCA, and deliberated on wildlife culls. But society spokeswoman Fiona Corke, who was part of the working group, said it was “a waste of time”. She said the group was formed over a kangaroo management issue in South Morang and folded in 2009. “The (department) ran the whole thing and the kangaroos were killed in the end,” she said. “If they’re going to do that again there needs to be more community input.” Eden Park resident and former Whittlesea Councillor Allan Cann said he had not seen a kangaroo near his home for the past two weeks. “It is my belief that the (NMIT) application (for the cull) is faulty and that the (department) has issued this permit on the basis of a faulty application,” he said. “I’ve tried very hard to get the NMIT application but no one will give it to me.” Mr Cann said one of the biggest problems was that nobody can challenge the department’s decision to grant the permit. A department spokesman, who did not want to be named, said the department was satisfied that the permit was appropriate. NMIT spokesman James Gardener said the TAFE had no further comment.
Nine hundred kangaroos could be slaughtered over three years at the Northern Melbourne Institute of TAFE’s 320ha Northern Lodge farm in Eden Park. The Whittlesea Leader has obtained a copy of the TAFE’s kangaroo management plan, prepared by wildlife management and conservation group Ecoplan Australia last September, despite the Department of Sustainability refusing to make the document public. The plan says that Northern Lodge, the TAFE’s $4 million thoroughbred racing and viticulture centre, has been unable to grow stock feed for several years “due to the pressure of grazing by kangaroos”. It recommended a cull of 300 kangaroos each year for the next three years, and the possible destruction of up to 50 animals every year afterward. The document states the roo population at Northern Lodge bushlands and immediate surrounds is 710, give or take 70. The population should be slashed to 250 initially within the next three years, with estimates showing about 300 roos will be killed each year when taking reproduction levels into account. The population will then be allowed to fluctuate between 50 and 250. A re-count of the roos should be done every June or July, the document states.
On October 18, 2010, the Department of Sustainability and Environment granted NMIT a 12-month permit to shoot 300 eastern grey kangaroos at the farm. The permit states that animals can be destroyed by shooting only, and that young must be killed by destroying the brain. Neighbours and police are to be given 24 hours’ notice of shootings. The cull will be carried out by a contractor. It is not clear how the carcasses are being disposed of. The management plan says dead kangaroos should be turned into blood and bone recycling or that natural decomposition should occur above ground using fly-proof cages. The management plan and DSE permit were acquired through Freedom of Information by the Australian Society for Kangaroos activist Fiona Corke and forwarded to the Leader. The DSE rejected requests by Leader for the documents, saying it was an NMIT matter. NMIT refused to comment.
The Department of Sustainability and Environment and the Northern Melbourne Institute of TAFE have refused to answer our questions about the culling of 300 kangaroos. The Whittlesea Leader asked more than 35 unanswered questions. The department refused to provide a copy of the cull permit for Eden Park, saying it was an institute matter. It also would not reveal who would be carrying out the cull, what alternatives had been tried and whether it had any evidence the kangaroos were causing damage to the environment. The institute also refused to say if any kangaroos had been killed and, if so, how many. The Leader also did not receive answers on: Whether anyone from NMIT was willing to meet wildlife groups to explain the situation; If it was likely that there will be more culling in the future; and If the tertiary education provider had been issued similar cull permits in the past. *Whittlesea Leader
Should these kangaroos be culled? Post your comment below. http://whittlesea-leader.whereilive.com.au/news/story/eden-park-roos-in-firing-line/
After a formal complaint was rejected by DSE on the grounds of protection of biodiversity at NMIT, Australian Society for Kangaroos is now seeking a review by the Victorian Ombudsmen. With current legislation in Victoria and across the nation impeding our ability to protect wildlife, ASK is encouraging everyone to contact their state Ombudsmen for the review of decisions around killing our so called protected kangaroos. *
Three dead kangaroos - butchered and mutilated beyond belief - were finally removed from the foreshore of Brisbane Water at Point Clare today. They had been rotting in the mud since Monday despite several complaints from residents to various authorities. A Gosford Council crew finally removed the decomposing carcasses this morning after being shown the site by Point Clare resident Peter Hofman yesterday. Mr Hoffman along with Empire Bay couple Phil and Kaye Matchett, who initally reported the gruesome discovery on Monday afternoon while walking their dogs, hit a wall of bureaucratic inaction trying to have the dead animals removed. Mr Hofman said he was initially told it was the responsibility of NSW Maritime as the animals were in the water. "But they told me, sorry, we don’t have the resources,” he said. He said eventually a Gosford Council officer at the Woy Woy depot agreed to send a crew to look at the situation but they couldn’t locate the kangaroos. “Yesterday afternoon they rang and asked if I could show them the where the kangaroos were, so I did,” Mr Hofman said. “They said they would send a crew this morning to remove them.”
Mr Hofman said he checked the site just after 10.30am and the roos had been removed. Mr and Mrs Matchett had earlier also been fobbed off when trying to get the situation fixed. They had been shunted between Gosford Council, the National Parks and Wildlife Service and the Department of Climate Change. Mr Matchett was appalled at the cruelty inflicted on the animals. “They have been butchered for no good reason, they haven’t taken any meat,” he said. “It looks like they were transported and dumped here.” Two of the kangaroos were missing heads and one was missing a tail. A paw and tail were nearby. One was partially skinned. “It really makes you wonder what happened and how they got here,” Mr Matchett said. * Express Advocate
Stingray Killed
Adored by holiday-makers and locals alike, no visit to picturesque Hamelin Bay was complete without patting Stumpy the stingray. The friendliest ray in the bay, affectionately dubbed Stumpy because it had no barb, was a hit with families and particularly children, who would stroke and feed it. That was until two young fishermen speared the creature and hacked it to pieces in front of distressed and screaming beachgoers last month. Angry locals are now mourning the loss of Stumpy and are demanding more protection for the bay's remaining stingrays - a key tourism attraction. Authorities were powerless to act because the bay, 30km south of Margaret River, is open to recreational fishing. A management plan penned in 2006 for coastal waters between Geographe Bay and Augusta, which could better protect the stingrays, is still sitting on government desks. Stumpy was one of the oldest, friendliest and biggest of the black and eagle rays in Hamelin Bay. It was more than 1m across.
Hamelin Bay Holiday Park worker Kate Silverwood said some guests had to be restrained from attacking the fishermen. "They (the fishermen) cut off the wings of Stumpy while he was still alive," she said. "People were absolutely mortified, kids were standing there crying. A lot of people have been coming here for so long and they were just devastated." Ms Silverwood said there were about 40 people on the beach at 9am when the slaughter occurred. More than 600 people have signed a petition calling on Fisheries Minister Norman Moore to turn the area into a marine park sanctuary zone to better protect the rays. Mr Moore has declined to be interviewed on the issue. In an emailed statement he said he unaware of any move to create a fish habitat protection area to protect stingrays in and around Hamelin Bay, but would consider the issue if and when it is raised.
“Like others in the community, I am saddened by the killing of Stumpy I note however, that stingrays are not protected and fishers can spear or take them by line in Hamelin Bay," Mr Moore said. “More detailed signage in the area would be a positive step to letting newcomers know about the conservation importance of the area to the community and encouraging a conservation ethos." But beach signage already urges fishermen in the area to release stingrays "carefully if they are accidentally caught while fishing". Augusta-Margaret River shire president Ray Colyer said he didn't condone the killing of stingrays and he was concerned tourism would be affected by the actions of the fishermen. A Department of Fisheries spokesman said his office would meet with the local community to discuss the matter.
A statement said: "The department, when possible, discourages people from killing stingrays at Hamelin Bay. In this case, the spearing of the stingray was an unfortunate incident that occurred as a result of someone being ignorant of the history of the presence of the stingray at Hamelin Bay and the local community's attitudes and conservation values. "Stingrays are not a protected species and can be speared, or taken with a line, in Hamelin Bay." Save Our Marine Life spokesman Tim Nicol said other fish were suffering because the Government had failed to introduce marine sanctuaries. "These areas should be abundant with big old fish like one-metre 80-year-old blue groper, dhufish or snapper, but these species are largely absent from near-shore waters because there's no protected areas," Mr Nicols said. Opposition environment spokeswoman Sally Talbot said the Government had dropped the ball on marine parks. "They run away from the issues where they think they can score better political points by not acting," she said. *WA Sunday Times
Climate Change
While Queenslanders deal with a summer of natural disasters, climate scientists are warning that Australia faces a future of more frequent extreme weather events. The Queensland Floods Commission of Inquiry is scrutinising the preparation and response to the 2011 floods, but planners are already looking ahead to minimise the loss of the past. According to new modelling, Australia can expect 25 per cent more rain than was seen in the Queensland floods by the end of this century, as well as larger, more frequent storms. "The modelling that's been done by CLIM Systems in New Zealand has shown that in 2100 there could be a 25 per cent increase in rainfall," sustainability consultant Stella Whittaker said. "Now what that means is that the large storms which we currently describe as one-in-100-year storms, they are going to be more likely and it really means that people can see this type of event happening more than once in their lifetime."
And in the wake of events like last month's floods, Ms Whittaker says governments and companies have put climate change at the forefront of their decision-making, despite the warnings it is not yet widespread or routine. "There are lots of companies who are planning for 2100 across all of the sectors. The property sector has probably been the first ones to actually do detailed assessments of bushfire risks, sea level rise and extreme events. That work is really only just beginning," she said. "[There] might be a change to levels of where infrastructure is built or bridges. It might be a different sort of material that is used, it might be looking at a different route entirely so that is beginning to be factored in."With that in mind, the advice for Queensland from scientists is to build in the resilience that is needed to withstand a future of extremes."If you build houses or if you build infrastructure such that it is not vulnerable to the observed variability in climate over the last 50 or 100 years, I think you will build in a lot of the resilience you need for the future that climate scientists are projecting," said Andy Pitman, a climate scientist from the University of New South Wales. "Not all of it, but you will have built enough resilience to give us a reasonable chance of dealing with the economic impacts of climate change in many of the regions of Australia." *ABC
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Wildlife Bytes 10/2/11
Leading Stories
Cyclone Impacted Wildlife
On Saturday, emergency responders from IFAW, the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW - www.ifaw.org) arrived in Cairns, Queensland to help wildlife carers still struggling from the recent floods when category five cyclone Yasi hit on Wednesday. IFAW immediately met with the local wildlife association and vets to develop a response plan for animals in the area who are suffering primarily from a loss of food sources and shelter as a result of the two disasters. "With the cumulative affects of the flood and cyclone, we are seeing a lot of need among wildlife carers in the area," said IFAW's Manager of Disaster Relief Dr. Dick Green. Initially, IFAW set up response efforts out of Cairns, which faired very well during the storm. Most debris has been cleared and power restored. The rest of the region was not so fortunate. "Mission Beach will be top priority given its accessibility and the dozen wildlife carers who need assistance to rebuild damaged facilities," added Dick Green. "IFAW will move on to areas south of Mission Beach such as Cardwell, Tully, Carmine Beach, Silkwood, Veluga when we can gain access."
In addition to Dr. Green, IFAW's team includes a wildlife vet and vet tech, who can provide immediate assistance to animals in the field and training to wildlife carers who expect an influx of animals at their facilities. One wildlife center alone had accepted 34 birds in the course of a single day. IFAW's team also will conduct an assessment of overall need. There are more than 100 wildlife care facilities in the area and it is likely that 50% or more of them have damaged structures or otherwise need assistance. With much of the natural food sources destroyed and the cost of food skyrocketing, emergency food supplies for animals will be a critical component of the response. IFAW also expects to expand sheltering facilities at centers that can receive large numbers of animals from impacted areas for up to 30 days. In the long-term, damaged structures at wildlife care facilities will need to be rebuilt and habitat restoration will be needed to bring back natural food sources for animals. "There are a lot of people doing great work for animals here," said Dr. Green. "IFAW's goal is to get the animals and the people who care for them in Queensland through this initial crisis and help them rebuild for the future." *Newswire
Tin Can Bay Marina Campaign
Wildlife campaigner Bob Irwin has stepped up his campaign against the Norman Point marina, as the deadline looms for a federal decision on the proposal. Mr Irwin, founder of Australia Zoo and father of the late Steve Irwin, says Australians have only a limited opportunity to make their feelings known before a decision is made by federal Environment Minister Tony Bourke some time after the end of the month. “The Tin Can Bay region is unique – one of the last outstanding and diverse ecosystems on the east coast of Australia,” he said yesterday. “It is home to a plethora of precious wildlife including endangered dugongs and sea turtles and rare humpback dolphins.” Mr Irwin also expressed his concern about a second marina proposal at Carlo Point. “They will severely damage the region and its critically important inhabitants. “Should development be sanctioned, it will put at risk a World Heritage listing, which is currently pending for the Cooloola region.”
Supporters said Mr Irwin is continuing his son’s legacy as the major high profile champion of conservation in the region. “I will fight as long and as hard as necessary to save this magnificent area from development. “This is no longer a local issue – this is the habitat of species that are threatened all over the world and we need to make a stand and save some critical habitat for them.” He urged Australians to take advantage of a “click and save” campaign, using internet technology to help people voice their views. “It takes three seconds to send a letter directly to Mr Bourke, asking him to reject the plans,” the supporter said. “To date, 35,000 votes have been collected online. Mr Irwin said there were now many government reports recognising that Australia’s biodiversity is declining. “The Fraser Straits Marina (at Norman Point) will bring 240 wet and 120 dry berths, while the nearby Carlo Point Marina will bring an additional 257 wet berths to these narrow waterways,” he said, adding to stress on wildlife. *Gympie Times
Fundraising for Flood Wildlife
The Australian Wildlife Protection Council Inc. is collecting funds to offer a reward for information leading to a prosecution or conviction of the person or persons responsible for running down and killing kangaroos in the grounds of Morriset Hospital, near Newcastle. All donations made in Australia are tax deductible if made out to AWPC Public Fund or just AWPC donation. Post your cheque/money order to Australian Wildlife Protection Council Inc. C/- Maryland Wilson, President, 1098 Stumpy Gully Rd Moorooduc 3933 Victoria. A tax-deductable receipt can be sent to you. OR Make a deposit straight into AWPC’s account at your local Commonwealth Bank branch: BSB 063535, Account 10090791 Please include your name and purpose as reference when making a deposit. Eg. Freda Bloggs, Morisset Reward. Also, email Maryland Wilson, kangaroo@ hotkey.net.au and leave your name and address so a receipt can be sent to you. *AWPC
Wildlife Protection Association of Australia Inc has set up a Donation Fund, where people who wish to donate to help flood-affected wildlife can do just that. Any moneys donated to this Fund will only be provided to non government funded wildlife carers groups or individuals who are actively working on helping wildlife flood victims, orphaned or injured. Funding will be provided to wildlife carers for fuel to get into the flood affected areas, and for wildlife food, over the next months. We know who these carers are, and where they are, and we'd like to help them too, so if you would like to help the wildlife flood and cylcone victims you can donate here, tax-deductible within Australia. Donate here..... http://www.kangaroo-protection-coalition.com/floodwildlife.html
QWRC has also set up a trust fund to receive donations for wildlife carers affected by floods. Donations can be made to the wildlife disaster relief fund by direct deposit to the QWRC Trust Fund account BSB 814-282 and account number 30932248 and QWRC ask that people please use their surname as a reference. They will ensure all funds are distributed where they are most needed.
A new Fundraiser which we absolutely support has just been announced. Sydney Pet Rescue & Adoption has launched the Animal Flood Victims Emergency Appeal, and together with various other rescue groups, they are working hard to raise funds to support animals affected by the recent devastating floods in Qld. The Wildlife Protection Association of Australia is one of the organisations they have chosen to support with the Appeal. We will be using the funds they raise to support foster carers in the worst affected and priority areas, with financial support to assist with the rescue and foster care of wildlife.We thank SPRA and all the rescue groups who are working hard with them, for their support. Please click on this link to find out more about the appeal: http://www.freewebs.com/sydneypetrescueandadoption/floodappealanimals.htm
The Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital at Beerwah is also fundraising to help cover the cost of treating an influx of wildlife flood victims. Go to the Hospital website to donate.
Wildlife Groups in Victoria are arranging for food for wildlife and otherwildlife carers supples to be sent to Queensland. If any wildlife carers need anything, please contact us at info@wildlifeprotectaust.org.au and we will forward your details to them.
Bob Irwin is calling on the public to give generously towards helping set up cassowary feeding stations and longer term habiat protection in Mission Beach and surrounding areas after cyclone Yasi hit this area hard last week. Donations collected from Bob Irwins website http://www.bobirwinwildlife.com Rainforest Rescue’s website http://www.rainforestrescue.org.au and Save the Cassowary website http://www.savethecassowary.org.au will be pooled together and donated to the cause. More about Cassowaries below...........
A fundraising campaign is being undertaken by Vegan Warriors urging the government to stop killing Fraser Island Dingoes has been given a huge boost thanks to a generous artist and Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital. Sunshine Coast artist Leigh Hutfield painted the stunning "Wild Beauty of Fraser Island". This beautiful piece has been donated to Vegan Warriors to raise awareness and funds for the Fraser Island Dingo Campaign. The painting is being displayed at the Austalia Zoo Wildlife Hospital and is for sale for $2,500. Half of the money from this sale will go to the Hospital to help with their thankless work saving our precious animals. Gail Gipp, General Manager from the Hospital says "The painting donated by Leigh Hutfield is a beautiful piece of art that is admired by both the staff and the patrons that visit the Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital. The painting really captures and reflects what a magnificent and beautiful species that the dingo is." Jaylene Musgrave, Founder of Vegan Warriors has had support from Heather Mills, Paul McCartney's ex wife who sent her a statement last year imploring the Qld Govt to save the world's purest strain of dingoes. Jaylene's music industry background means she has a number of rock star supporters including Xavier Rudd, John Butler Trio and Hilltop Hoods. Jaylene is urging anyone who finds the current Govt's management plan, which includes hazing, shooting, baiting and starving the dingoes and their pups, shameful, to write to Kate Jones, Environment Minister and to contact Jaylene to be a part of the campaign. *Vegan Warrior Media Release
Wildlife Smuggling
Malaysian wildlife trafficker Anson Wong received a five-year jail sentence after his bag filled with 95 live boa constrictors suddenly burst open on a luggage conveyer belt at Kuala Lumpur airport in August 2010. The spectacular incident was unlucky for Wong, one of the biggest traders in the region, but the bust might have been expected. Authorities in the South-East Asian region have increasingly been on the lookout for high-profile wildlife smugglers. Wong's sentence reflects a growing regional awareness that wildlife crime is a major problem, suggests Elizabeth John, a spokeswoman at the South-East Asian office of wildlife trade monitoring agency TRAFFIC. However, clamping down on animal smuggling remains an ongoing battle. Some argue that legalising the wildlife pet trade would solve the problem of wildlife smuggling ..... but that doesnt seem to be the case in Australia, where since legalising some species of pet wildlife in Vic, SA, WA, and to some extent in Queensland and NSW, people are regularly caught driving South from Queensland or the Northern Territory with a carload of illegally captured wildlife......
Read more about wildlife smuggling ... http://knowledge.asb.unsw.edu.au/article.cfm?articleid=1303
Birds
If migrating birds were awarded frequent-flyer points, the ruddy turnstone would surely be travelling free in first-class for the latter part of its life. Australian scientists have just recaptured a turnstone on a beach at Flinders, Victoria, that had completed a 27,000- kilometre round-trip to its breeding grounds in Siberia, for the second consecutive year. The findings suggest that turnstones - stocky, medium-sized waders with short orange-red legs, often seen on Sydney shores in summer - fly more than 500,000 kilometres on the trans-Pacific route during their lifetime. *Age
Read more; http://www.theage.com.au/environment/animals/its-a-ruddy-long-way-to-meet-a-mate-20110207-1ak91.html
Cane Toads
It may sound counter-intuitive, but for blue tongue lizards in the Kimberley, severe bouts of food poisoning may save their lives. University of Sydney scientists are using blue tongue lizards, GPS tracking and nausea-inducing food in a bid to stop native reptiles eating poisonous cane toads. Before the lizards are released into the wild for tracking, they are taught to dislike the invasive cane toads, a process called conditioned taste aversion. Graduate student Samantha Price-Rees said 18 blue tongue lizards near Kununurra had been fed cane toad-flavoured baits laced with chemicals to induce nausea. Ms Price-Rees said laboratory tests had shown the lizards learnt to associate illness with the cane toad food after eating the bait and getting sick. "So when the lizards encounter a toad in the wild, hopefully they will avoid it," she said. University of Sydney Professor Rick Shine said research had shown blue tongue lizards and goannas were two of the most vulnerable species to cane toad invasion. At Fogg Dam, near Darwin, populations of blue tongue lizards had fallen by up to 90 per cent after the arrival of cane toads. Ms Price-Rees said scientists hoped to determine whether toad baits could be used as a large-scale method of cutting native lizard deaths. Cane toads have began inundating Kununurra and the Ord River Irrigation Area, with locals reporting hundreds of the pests in backyards and irrigation channels. *West.com.au
Cattle Back in the HIgh Country
Federal Environment MinisterTony Burke is locked in a stalemate over whether to challenge the Victorian Government's re-introduction of alpine grazing. "My department is still working with the Victorian department to determine whether or not the (alpine grazing) trial breaches federal environment law," Mr Burke said. The Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act states the Federal Government must approve any activity that has a "significant impact on a National Heritage Place". Victorian National Parks Association spokesman Phil Ingamells said he understood the Federal Government had to get the facts from the Department of Sustainability and Environment before it took action. "But I don't think DSE is providing that information," Mr Ingamells said. The grazing trial is not due to start until October. The Victorian Government however, put 400 cattle into the park last month to assess GPS tracking collars and the impact of grazing on fuel loads. * Weekly Times
WA Cockatoos Saved
More than 40 wildlife volunteers joined the Department of Environment and Conservation in an operation to save Carnaby's black cockatoos at risk from the Perth Hills fires. DEC senior wildlife officer Rick Dawson said yesterday about 130 cockatoos, some injured and others babies, at the Kaarakin Black Cockatoo Rehabilitation Centre in Martin were rounded up and put in boxes as the fire front approached. He said the birds remained in boxes overnight on Sunday but as of yesterday, fortunately, did not have to be moved. "There were about 12 DEC trucks that came from nowhere and they managed to contain that northern line," he said. "If they hadn't been there they would have been moved. It was pretty hairy." Anyone needing to report injured wildlife should call the Wildcare hotline on 9474 9055. *WANews,com.au
Ghost Nets
Meetings will be held in Darwin today to address an issue that threatens the existence of some marine species. GhostNets Australia will combine with Government representatives, marine organisations and Community Rangers to develop a strategy to combat drifting fishing nets. "Ghost nets" pose a very real threat to sea creatures as they can be difficult to see and be up to 10km long. GhostNets Australia project co-ordinator Ricki Gunn said that in the 2008 turtle nesting season, community rangers set up camp on a remote Gulf of Carpentaria beach. "In a three week period 65 turtles were found washed up in fishing net, of which 63 were rescued," she said. It's believed that over 90 per cent of the "ghost nets" in Gulf waters are not of Australia origin. The north-westerly monsoonal flow from South East Asia picks up the nets and pushes them through the Arafura Sea into the Gulf of Carpentaria. Ms Gunn said that many of the nets discovered on beaches are of the same design and material, suggesting the "same place of origin". The reasons for the large numbers of drifting nets are many and varied. Ms Gunn said they include sheer ignorance, rough weather, snags, illegal fishing and "turf wars". "Nets are being deliberately sabotaged when vessels drive over those belonging to other boats," she said. Today's meetings are an effort to draw on resources and work together to get the situation under control. *NT News
Pet Kangaroo Killed
A kangaroo's escape bid ended in tragedy when it hopped away from its owner into the path of an oncoming car, German police said. The escape caused costly damage to the car and a messy end for the marsupial. The 49-year-old owner had kept the kangaroo for many years as a house pet and had never before encountered any problems, said police in Oberfranken, southern Germany. "However, at the weekend, the kangaroo got a taste for freedom and jumped out. Despite several attempts, the owner was not able to recapture his pet," police said. The animal apparently took an extended journey around the surrounding area, because it did not meet its unfortunate fate until Monday evening, authorities said. The 30-year-old driver who collided with the roo was treated for shock. The accident caused an estimated ($1342) of damage to his vehicle. "The owner, who lived a mere 200 metres from the site of the collision, had the unfortunate task of dealing with 'his dead sweetheart'," the police announced sadly. *News.com.au
Whaling
An anti-whaling group claims Japanese whalers are catching well below their planned quota this season. Sea Shepherd Conservation Society's Paul Watson says the whalers have only caught up to 40 whales this season and are losing money. "I'd be very surprised if they've taken many whales at all," he said. "They're really under siege and they're running. I think it's going to be a financial disaster for them this year. "They're in debt now for over almost $200 million in subsidies to the government and I don't see how they can continue to carry on going down there and losing money, more every year." The comments come after the Japanese fleet and Sea Shepherd Conservation Society protesters had another violent confrontation in the Southern Ocean on Friday. Sea Shepherd says whalers were throwing bamboo spears and a whaling ship tried to ram one of the conservation group's boats. Japan's Institute of Cetacean Research did not respond to the ABC. *
Kidnapped!
Six conservation volunteers kidnapped by armed gunmen in northeastern India were working for the World Wildlife Fund for Nature, authorities said Monday. The six post-graduate students, three of them women, were seized at gunpoint Sunday in the Laopani forest in lower Assam's Kokrajhar district on the Bhutan border, police official R.N. Boro told the Press Trust of India. The kidnapping came just hours after a decision by local Bodo tribal groups to renew their campaign for a separate state, the BBC reported Monday. The students, who were installing cameras for an elephant and tiger census operation at the time. * UPI.com
Taiji Dolphins
Fishermen use tarpaulins in a bid to cover up the slaughter of dolphins - as secret filming exposes their horrific killing methods. Officials had claimed the mammals were destroyed humanely after 2009 Oscar-winning documentary The Cove told how 2,000 were killed every year in Taiji, Japan. Fishermen said that piercing the animals' spinal cord with a sharp spike killed them instantly. But video shot using cameras hidden on cliffs overlooking the waters show what really happens. Hunters are seen driving a spike into dolphins' flesh before ramming a wooden plug in the wound to stop the blood turning the sea RED. They then DROWN the animals by tying their fins and pushing them underwater. Ric O'Barry, 71, who trained TV dolphin Flipper and made The Cove, last night said: "The dolphins thrash in agony for minutes. It is beyond cruel. We knew it was a lie, but couldn't prove it until now." Activist Dieter Hagmann, who revealed the video for German conservationists Atlantic Blue, said: "The video confirms our worst fears. "The fisherman work in shielded secrecy and supposedly use a bloodless humane method of killing. The footage exposed the cruel truth." The Japanese government defends the killings for meat as traditional. *Sun
Sharks
The number of reported shark attacks last year increased worldwide but declined in Florida, according to the University of Florida's International Shark Attack File annual report released today. Ichthyologist George Burgess, director of the file housed at the Florida Museum of Natural History on the UF campus, said Florida typically has the highest number of attacks worldwide, but 2010 marked the state's fourth straight year of decline. Florida led the U.S. with 13 reported attacks, but the total was significantly lower than the yearly average of 23 over the past decade. The U.S. led the world in shark attacks — an average year by U.S. standards — followed by Australia (14), South Africa (8), Vietnam (6) and Egypt (6). The most unusual event occurred off the coast of Egypt in early December with five attacks, including one fatality. The attacks occurred within five days and four of the five were attributed to two individual sharks. * Underwater Times
Starving Kangaroos
In last weeks Wildlife Bytes we mentioned the story about starving kangaroos in WA.
http://www.inmycommunity.com.au/news-and-views/local-news/Trapped-roos-starving/7582643/
According to the WA Dept Environment and Conservation they were aware of this mob of landlocked kangaroos in 2008 and their risk of starvation after beingcut off from their main food source by development and multi lane highways. DEC passed responsibility to the developers to look after them. Not surprisingly the developers did not care for these landlocked kangaroos and have consequently starved. If you would like to make a complaint about this please contact:
RSPCA WA, Telephone:(08) 9209 9300 FAX: (08) 9248 3144, Email: rspca@rspcawa.asn.au Honourable W R Marmion BE MBA MLA, Minister for Environment; Water, Address: 77 St George's Terrace, PERTH WA 6000, Telephone: (08) 9220-5000, Fax: (08) 9220-5001 e-Mail: Minister.Marmion@dpc.wa.gov.au
And/or Write a letter to the editor to: editor.mandurahmail@ruralpress.com letters@wanews.com.au editorial@sundaytimes.newsltd.com.au
Beware of the Emu
Iron Knob ( SA ) residents have taken to hiding in the local post office in recent weeks to steer clear of male emus guarding their eggs at the football oval across the road. Donna Smith said the town - population about 150 - was looking forward to the chicks hatching in the coming months but meantime, residents with mobility scooters would continue to motor past the oval at record speed. "There is about one emu to every 15 people in the town," Mrs Smith said. "The way we're going, we might need an emu crossing for them." *Adelaide Now
Kangaroo Sticker
The RSPCA says a campervan hire company is promoting the deliberate killing of kangaroos by putting a sticker ''Kangaroo's, run the f---ers down!'' in its vans. The mock blood-splattered stickers have been placed on the dashboards of Wicked Campers' more than 1000 vans. Wicked chief executive John Webb says the stickers educate his clients, often foreign tourists, to go straight ahead when a kangaroo bounds across the road, and not to swerve and possibly roll the car.
Mr Webb, who said he was an animal lover, said clients' accidents involving kangaroos had been slashed by 90 per cent since he started introducing the stickers five years ago. The wording was a ''pisstake'' and a souvenir for tourists, although his wife has made him change the word ''f---ers'' in future to ''buggers''. 'It's a bit of fun, a bit of a laugh,'' he said. But animal activists don't see the joke. ''It's openly encouraging cruelty to protected native wildlife,'' said Australian Society for Kangaroos co-ordinator Nikki Sutterby. 'Kangaroo numbers are at critical densities … so for them to be encouraging this sort of cruelty is vile.'' She said it appeared neither a joke nor a safety message. ''My impression is that they're sending a message to actively run down kangaroos. It's not saying, 'for safety reasons, don't swerve'.''
Jaylene Musgrave from activist group Vegan Warriors called for the ''disgusting'' stickers to be removed. RSPCA inspectorate services manager Greg Boland said: ''To my mind, it actually promotes that it's acceptable to run down kangaroos and other wildlife.'' He said ''it may not be taken in the lighthearted manner it's meant to be, especially by international tourists''. Drivers deliberately running down a kangaroo could face a $28,000 fine or two years in jail under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, he said. Sergeant Michael Kayrooz from the Victoria Police driver training unit said drivers seeing a kangaroo should ''brake firmly, if you can, in a straight line, and if you can avoid the kangaroo, great.'' *Age
Flying Foxes
Flying foxes have returned to Adelaide from the eastern states in what seems to be turning into an annual pilgrimage. Professor of Urban Ecology Chris Daniels said a small colony had taken up residence this year in the Botanic Gardens. "There's only a very small number have turned up, about 30 or so," he said. At least 1,200 grey-headed flying foxes flew into Adelaide last May and moved into a pine tree at suburban Fullarton. "With the big mob last year they all went into a pencil pine which seemed to give them some protection," Professor Daniels said. "It was a lot colder, a lot later in the year, some protection against the cold." Last year the colony was moved on by people making loud noise near their roost, but experts are unwilling to see the same tried this year, as the flying foxes have brought their young with them. "This is the first time we've seen babies and that's presenting a real challenge because we also know the numbers of this species across Australia are dropping quite alarmingly," Professor Daniels said.
The grey-headed flying foxes are believed to have migrated west since numbers of black-headed flying foxes increased and forced them out of their eastern habitats. Professor Daniels said it was natural for the creatures to flee to South Australia. "These are forest-dwelling animals. [If] they have lost their forest habitat in Queensland and New South Wales then they will move around," he said. "These animals are refugees. We may have a really important conservation role to play in saving the species." *ABC
Flying foxes are causing serious health concerns on Magnetic Island in the wake of Cyclone Yasi. Picnic Bay man Julien Van der Schouw required 14 injections at the Townsville Hospital after a frightening encounter with a flying fox this week. But the Monday night attack had an incredible sequel, with a flying mammal descending on Mr Van der Schouw yesterday afternoon as he was on his way to thank those who helped him out during the first incident. Mr Van der Schouw holds grave fears for the safety of residents in the island community following an influx of the desperate creatures. Skies over the island have become littered with flying foxes left homeless after Cyclone Yasi decimated vegetation. Flying foxes have the potential to carry lyssavirus, a rabies-like virus that can be fatal to humans. They may also carry Hendra virus which, to date, has only affected humans via horses.
Mr Van der Schouw was bitten multiple times on the arm while having a quiet cider at the Picnic Bay Hotel on Monday night. He was left with 10 puncture wounds down his left arm, requiring a course of antibiotics and a continual course of injections in the coming weeks. Experts are recording a large number of flying foxes in cyclone-effected areas after strong winds washed the nectar from flowers, destroying their main source of food. Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service director of wildlife management Nick Rigby urged residents to be aware of the potential dangers. "Members of the public should not handle or approach flying foxes. Anyone who comes into contact with a flying fox should seek medical advice," he said. * Townsville Buletin
Kangaroos
Victoria's ban on processing kangaroos is robbing the state's agricultural industry of more than $13 million a year, according to the Kangaroo Industry Association of Australia. The association recently presented the Victorian Farmers Federation with a management plan to put to the State Government. It argued handing shooting rights to commercial harvesters rather than amateur shooters delivered animal welfare advantages. It also estimated more than $2 million would be created by processing kangaroos, with savings of more than $10 million in the form of less damage to farmland. Victoria's increased kangaroo numbers made headlines last week when they forced the cancellation of the Hanging Rock Australia Day races.
KIAA executive officer John Kelly said developing a management plan was the first step toward legalising commercial kangaroo harvesting in Victoria. "For Victoria to process roos, the state has to write a management plan and get it approved by the Commonwealth Government, which is a fairly significant undertaking," he said. "The state has to be convinced that it is an appropriate thing to be doing, and I would hope that the lobby from the VFF would help convince them to do so." He said any proposal could take 18 months. VFF president Andrew Broad said kangaroo processing had merit. Victoria and the Northern Territory are the only Australian states or territories that do not have a commercial kangaroo harvesting plan. *Weeklytimes
Racing at Hanging Rock is on hold until a new kangaroo management plan is put in place, as debate rages on how to stop another race event being cancelled at the reserve. East Ward councillor Joe Morabito told Leader last week he would push for shire-wide management plans on kangaroos and wombats. Cr Morabito, who is a member of the Hanging Rock Reserve Committee, said kangaroos were running amok in the Macedon Ranges. “There were many visitors at Hanging Rock on Australia Day, huge economic losses were suffered and the problem is still there,” Cr Morabito said. But he did not favour a cull of wildlife, only a proper management plan. However Macedon Ranges Wildlife Network spokeswoman Fiona Corke said management plans overseen by government bodies was code for a cull. “People go to Hanging Rock for the occasional event but it is a permanent nature reserve and link for kangaroos roaming through other parts of the Macedon Ranges.”
Kyneton and Hanging Rock Racing Club officials met Macedon Ranges Council and racing boards last week with plans to meet DSE and discuss future events. Club chief executive Mark Graham said the kangaroo management plan failed on the day. “Three times in 45 minutes a mob of kangaroos charged down from the eastern hill and three times in 45 minutes a number of kangaroos got on to the course by jumping a fence,” he said. “We plan to run the New Year’s Day picnic races next year but a better plan will be in place before it can happen.” *Macedon Leader
Leave a comment. http://macedon-ranges-leader.whereilive.com.au/news/story/have-your-say-roos-put-hanging-rock-races-off-rails/
Pet reptiles
Born Free USA, a leader in animal welfare and wildlife conservation, says that a snake bite that sent a Fair Lawn, NJ man to the hospital in critical condition on Monday, is just one of thousands of unnecessary occurrences between wild and exotic animals and humans. Every year, captive wild animals kept as private “pets,” as well as in zoos and circuses, are involved in incidents that result in human injury or death. Millions of reptiles -- snakes and lizards -- in private possession pose severe safety risks to humans, including the transmission of deadly diseases, strangulations, and bites. Snakes are the most common “pet” reptiles - about 3 percent of U.S. households possess 7.3 million pet reptiles.
According to Will Travers, Born Free CEO, “By their very nature, exotic animals are dangerous creatures. This New Jersey man kept three snakes as ‘pets,’ not only putting his own life at risk, but that of his family and community. Given the life these animals are forced to endure as pets, it is no surprise that they exhibit their natural instincts to the detriment of their owner and the public at large. These animals are time bombs waiting to explode.” Born Free USA tracks such incidents through its online database (bornfreeusa.org/reports) designed as a resource for the media, lawmakers, activists and the public, to help shed light on the magnitude of the issue.
The database lists more than 1,450 attacks and incidents reported that have occurred since 1990, searchable by state, species, and key word, and includes a map graphic marking each location -- a shocking visual to illustrate how geographically widespread the problem is. History has proven that injury or death can happen at any time, anywhere, as a result of someone keeping a wild animal as a pet, a captive animal escaping from a zoo, or an animal used for entertainment. Travers wants people to know that “Wild animals in captivity are ticking time bombs when it comes to public safety. They should not be confined. They deserve better than that.”
Born Free USA asks the public to report any incidents that may not already be in the database, by emailing details to info@bornfreeusa.org. Born Free USA is a nationally recognized leader in animal welfare and wildlife conservation. Through litigation, legislation, and public education, Born Free USA leads vital campaigns against animals in entertainment, exotic “pets”, trapping and fur, and destructive international wildlife trade. Born Free USA’s Primate Sanctuary in Texas is home to more than 500 primates rescued from laboratories, roadside zoos, and private possession. Born Free USA brings to America the message of “compassionate conservation,” the vision of the U.K.-based Born Free Foundation, established in 1984 by Bill Travers and Virginia McKenna, stars of the iconic film Born Free, along with their son Will, now CEO of both organizations. Born Free USA’s mission is to end suffering of wild animals in captivity, conserve threatened and endangered species, and encourage compassionate conservation globally. *BornFree
Cassowaries
Mission Beach's famous cassowary population will struggle in the coming weeks as fruit smashed to the ground during Cyclone Yasi begins to rot. Their habitat in the wet tropics rainforests, that hugs the Mission Beach township, has been ripped to shreds and the canopy has disappeared leaving the endangered birds exposed to the elements. Tully vet Graham Lauridsen said no doubt some would have been killed in the cyclone. "We know that some of these cassowaries would have perished, especially at this time of year when there's lots of chicks around," he told AAP. Now that the immediate threat of the cyclone has passed, possible deaths from starvation are not expected to be seen for another month or more, or when falling fruit rots away. "In a month or six weeks time is when cassowary issues are going to take off big time," Mr Lauridsen said.
The State government said wildlife officers were due to visit the ground on Monday examining the cyclone's impact on cassowary rainforest habitat. "We haven't made a clear decision about whether we will establish feeding stations again but of course it will be on the table," Queensland Environment minister Kate Jones said. Bob Irwin, father of late wildlife warrior Steve Irwin, has also launched a campaign to save the cassowaries. He said the Bob Irwin Wildlife Fund will work with community and government organisations to protect the birds. The Mission Beach cassowary population which ranges anywhere between 40 and 200 is one of the most healthy in Australia. They have become iconic for the region, and the local council even uses the name in its title, The Cassowary Coast Regional Council.
Locals are protective of the cassowaries and some are doing their bit to help. Rob Jeffrey said the birds are highly territorial and he has been feeding one of two that live on his two acre property. "I've been looking after the male but I haven't seen the female since the cyclone hit," Mr Jeffery told AAP. "I know they're resilient. They've been handling this for the last thousand years." Steph Curnuck owns the caravan park that backs on to a cassowary corridor. She said all the locals love the birds even if they are not conservationists. "I don't think I know of anyone, even if they're not part of the green scene, who wants to see harm come to them, they're such beautiful creatures," she said. Huge road signs dot the road into the town every two kilometres telling visitors to slow down and avoid collision with the large birds. Anneke Begraaf from the Save the Cassowary campaign said one of the dangers will be collisions with cars when the birds start straying to find their next feed. "People will be pre-occupied on the road trying to organise their food and water and not paying attention to cassowaries," she said. "The first priority is to get their lives sorted and after that the cassowaries will become a priority. Another issue will be heat exhaustion. The big black birds now have little canopy for shade from the tropical sun, and waterholes used to cool down will have a lot of debris." *Ch9 News
State Government Feeds Cassowaries....but not Fraser Island Dingoes
Immediate action to help rare Cassowaries recover from Cyclone Yasi A specialist Cassowary Response Team has been immediately formed to lead the recovery of this iconic bird impacted by Cyclone Yasi near Mission Beach. Climate Change and Sustainability Minister Kate Jones said an action plan had been developed, and the first priority to undertake aerial surveys was already underway. The next priority is the consideration of aerial food drops in targeted locations to supplement food sources for the birds. Finally, feeding stations are being investigated to be set up throughout the cassowary habitat to draw the birds away from local residences and roads as they search for food supplies. Ms Jones said the aerial surveys already undertaken have identified significant damage to the overstorey of the canopy around Mission Beach. "More aerial surveys are being carried out today, to fully assess the extent of the damage in crucial cassowary habitat," Ms Jones said.
"Aerial food drops are being considere d for later this week to supplement food sources where the birds' natural supplies are depleted. "Discussions with independent experts and conservation groups are also underway to consider the most appropriate locations for feeding stations, to ensure the safety of the birds. "New monitoring cameras will also be deployed to ensure we have the best possible information on the movements and welfare of the cassowaries." Ms Jones said the iconic cassowaries were hit hard during Cyclone Larry in 2006, and now this threatened species has been hit again. "While some areas are still inaccessible on the ground, it's expected that cassowary habitat further south, along the coastal range between Mission Beach and Ingham has also suffered significant damage," Ms Jones said.
"Cassowary habitat and food supplies were also impacted by Cyclone Larry and so our wildlife experts are drawing on experiences then to ensure our actions now are successful.
"It's vital that members of the public don't feed cassowaries - for their own safety and in the interests of the birds' survival long term. Cassowaries that come to expect food from humans can become aggressive and dangerous. "Our Cassowary Response Team will be actively engaged with the community, including local cassowary conservation groups and local government as they develop our full response. "We're determined to ensure we give these incredible birds and their habitat every chance of recovery." Gov. Media Release, Media Contact: 3239 0818
Comment from one of our Networks, and we agree totally.
Mission Beach has declared an emergency feeding program for the endangered Cassowary, so they don't starve.
http://news.ninemsn.com.au/national/yasi/8208093/new-team-set-up-to-help-cassowaries
What about setting up an emergency feeding program for the Fraser Island dingoes who are actually starving to death? Many have been found dead with nothing but grass and sand in their stomachs. Yet they are guarded by hired thugs to stop people from feeding them. Do we have to have another cyclone or other disaster before we see a need to stop this ongoing suffering? Those MIS-managing them thought it would be smart to feed them poison biscuits 'to deter them' from taking food from tourists. Jennifer Parkhurst was fined $40,000 and given a suspended jail term for taking pity and feeding them. The charge was "interfering with dingoes". What sort of a country makes up such a charge?
http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/fraser-island-dingo-whisperer-in-the-dock/story-e6freoof-1225947079242
An excerpt from the Australian Wildlife Protection Council's newsletter; Christmas 2010. Volume 21 Number 3:
"15 months ago, Jennifer Parkhurst, a widely respected woman and insulin-dependent diabetic, was rudely awakened at 7am by Qld Dept of Environment and Resource Management squad pounding on her door. The next 6 hours were spent in a terrified state of shock, watching her personal possessions and professional equipment being confiscated and carried off by the DERM 'goons'. She didn't realise the vindictiveness and persistence of the louts employed by the Qld Gov't to manage Fraser Island and the unfortunate, hapless dingoes. They confiscated most of her belongings, including her paintings, photographs, personal documents, even Gov't documents legally obtained under FOI. The dingo family Jennifer photographed were later killed out of sheer bloody-mindedness, although the perpetrators said they were destroyed after 'exhibiting increasingly aggressive behaviour'. [Bullies are actually cowards beneath all the posturing].
If you haven't yet had a chance to look at Jennifer Parkhurst's moving Fraser Island dingo YouTube clip, see it now.....and there's more dingo info below.......
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U_nHinnQ5eM
Cllimate Change
The Government's key climate change adviser, Ross Garnaut, says Australia needs to catch up to the rest of the world in its efforts to address climate change. In a speech to the Lowy Institute in Sydney, Professor Garnaut has given a scathing update on his 2008 climate change review. He says Australia is the worst offender in the developed world as it has the highest level of greenhouse gas emissions. "Certainly through the last 10 years, Australia's been a significant drag on the global effort. We would cease to be a drag if we came up to an average sort of effort," he said. "Stopping being a drag is a big step forward for Australia." Professor Garnaut says it is in the nation's national interest to move to a low carbon economy. He would not be drawn on what he will be recommending to the Government concerning a price on carbon or an emissions trading scheme, saying he will reveal more at his address to the National Press Club next month.
But he says that Australia's move to put a price on carbon pollution would make it easier for the US and Canada to take action too. These three countries have the highest emissions per head of population in the developed world. "We will make it easier for our friends in North America who want to do a lot, like the United States government - it wants to do a lot. It's finding the politics heavy going like we are here," Professor Garnaut said. Not only does he say Australia is an influence on the US and Canada but also on countries in the developing world. "If we don't do anything, we can be pretty sure that there's a whole lot of developing countries that would find that a good reason not to do anything," he said. But Transport Minister Anthony Albanese has hit back at claims that the Government is dragging its feet, saying it remains determined to put a price on carbon.
The Gillard Government would need the support of the Greens to introduce a carbon price and Greens deputy leader Christine Milne approves of Professor Garnaut's call to action. "I am very pleased to read Professor Garnaut's recent report. In particular he's pointing out that Australia, the US and Canada are really dragging the world back," she said. "And he has had a good look, showing that China and the EU are moving ahead very strongly and that that has big implications for compensation to trade exposed industries." She is pleased to see Government has set up the multi-party climate committee but says the Government needs to work on delivering a carbon price in Australia. "It's not a silver bullet," she said. "We also need regulatory measures. We also need other complimentary measures to bring on the renewables in the time frame we need so that we can make the transition away from fossil fuels." *ABC
Arkaroola Sanctuary
A SA State Government decision will allow a company to drill for uranium in the Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary. The Sanctuary's owner Marg Sprigg said the decision was a disaster, and South Australian Liberal Senator Nick Minchin described it as one of the most reckless decisions of the State Labor Government. A poll on the AdelaideNow website found more than 80 per cent of more than 2000 respondents opposed mining in the area, and comments published online were overwhelmingly negative. Marathon Resources' drilling rights were suspended in February 2008 after it was found to have illegally dumped exploration drilling waste, which it was later forced to clean up. The company's drilling rights were reinstated yesterday for one year from now after it agreed to new environmental conditions, and chairman Peter Williams said the company planned to start drilling as soon as possible. Mr Williams reiterated that the company's initial breach had been inadvertent and it was possible for minerals exploration and other activities to coexist. "All we're asking to do is give us the chance to demonstrate what we believe will be a highly prospective ore deposit there," Mr Williams said.
"It is very large and it will be in the national interest, in the state's interest obviously if we can pursue it." The area in question is currently covered by a Class A environmental zoning, under which mining is only allowed when there is an over-riding national or state interest. Ms Sprigg said she was shocked she was not kept aware of the process by the State Government and could not see how the company could drill for minerals without causing a lot of environmental harm. "That means opening up a heck of a lot of country, a heck of a lot of environmental damage," she said. "As far as I'm concerned the environmental damage would be huge. I find it shocking that we haven't been involved in this discussion process." Greens MLC Mark Parnell said it was an "appalling" decision. The company has strong ties to the Labor Party. Former Labor senator John Quirke is the registered lobbyist for Marathon, while another former Labor senator, Chris Schacht, is a company director. *AdelaideNow
Fraser Island Dingoes
Jaylene Musgrave was only a youngster when she was first introduced to the harsh realities of livestock slaughter. Her father was a meat inspector at the Kilcoy abattoir and although she didn’t know it at the time, her exposure to his work was to shape not only her future lifestyle choices but also her passion and career. The Coolum woman who founded the organisation Vegan Warriors is now a passionate campaigner for animal rights – from the dingoes of Fraser Island to kangaroos, wombats and battery hens Jaylene clearly remembers the turning point in her life as the day she came home to find her childhood chicken “friends” on the dining table. “I have been vegetarian since I was 13, when I first realized the connection between what I ate and the animals slaughtered in the process,” she said. “I see all animals as friends and I feel my heart’s in the right place in wanting to protect them. “I turned vegan five years ago, about the same time that I created the animal rights organisation Vegan Warriors.” Following years in the music industry, playing personal assistant and publicist to the likes of Jimmy Barnes and The Divinyls, Jaylene decided to use her publicity skills and connections to champion a cause close to her heart. “I created Vegan Warriors because I wanted to use my skills in publicity and marketing to raise awareness about animal cruelty.”
Vegan Warriors’ latest campaign is against the controversial treatment of the Fraser Island dingo population, which has garnered support from celebrities including John Butler Trio, Xavier Rudd, Oka, Vanessa Amrosi and Paul McCartney’s ex-wife, Heather Mills. Jaylene is heading a campaign petitioning the government to stop the current management plan for the animals, which she says includes hazing, shooting, baiting and starving the dingoes and their pups. “The treatment of these animals is just disgusting,” she said. “There are reports of these animals emaciated and weak. The current management plan is pushing the species to the brink of extinction.” The Fraser Island dingoes are the purest strain of dingo left in Australia, due to their geographic isolation from mainland wild dogs. Control measures were increased after a dingo attacked and killed nine-year-old visitor Clinton Gage on Fraser Island in 2001. But Jaylene believes the current management plan is inhumane and needs to be stopped or drastically modified.
She says that the State Government is more concerned about tourism dollars than the welfare of the native animals. “Fraser Island is the only World Heritage Listed Site that does not have a cap on tourism. “The Government has no respect for these animals, and insists that there is no problem with the current management plan.” Jaylene is calling for an independent agency, informed by experts in the field, to take over the management of the dingoes. She also believes that land should be purchased on the island and set aside specifically for the dingoes. “Experts have said that relocation of the animals to another part of Australia will not be successful, as it is not ideal for the animals to be separated from the pack.” In addition to the host of national and international stars that have lent their support to the cause, local celebrities have come forward to offer a hand. “The help from these celebrities has been invaluable, both in raising publicity and awareness of the issue,” she said.
The latest offering is a painting donated by Sunshine Coast artist, Leigh Hutfield, to raise funds for the cause. “Wild Beauty of Fraser Island” is being displayed at the Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital, and is on sale for $2500, with half the profits to go to the hospital. Since its launch, Vegan Warriors has been actively campaigning for the protection and better treatment of local fauna, including wombats and kangaroos, as well as focusing on factory farming. The organisation was created in response to a deficient of local animal activism. “I realised there was a real lack of an animal rights movement here on the Sunshine Coast and I decided that it was about time that somebody did something about it,” Jaylene said. Over the past five years she has assembled an army of supporters, including animal rights lawyers, solicitors, barristers, university lecturers and award-winning writers, but she extends an invitation to anyone that loves animals and wants to speak out against animal abuse to contact her and become involved. *Sunshine Coast Daily
Ed Comment; the reason the Queensland Labor Government wont change the Fraser Island dingo "management plan" is by doing so they will have to admit they got it wrong...for 20 years they have got it wrong! Back in the 90's when the "plan" was developed they didnt listen to the voices of commonsense in the community, they just went ahead with their own "experts" and did it all wrong. The Queensland Labor Government just doesnt have the capacity to admit they were wrong for 20 years and change the "plan"......simple as that.
Cyclone Impacted Wildlife
On Saturday, emergency responders from IFAW, the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW - www.ifaw.org) arrived in Cairns, Queensland to help wildlife carers still struggling from the recent floods when category five cyclone Yasi hit on Wednesday. IFAW immediately met with the local wildlife association and vets to develop a response plan for animals in the area who are suffering primarily from a loss of food sources and shelter as a result of the two disasters. "With the cumulative affects of the flood and cyclone, we are seeing a lot of need among wildlife carers in the area," said IFAW's Manager of Disaster Relief Dr. Dick Green. Initially, IFAW set up response efforts out of Cairns, which faired very well during the storm. Most debris has been cleared and power restored. The rest of the region was not so fortunate. "Mission Beach will be top priority given its accessibility and the dozen wildlife carers who need assistance to rebuild damaged facilities," added Dick Green. "IFAW will move on to areas south of Mission Beach such as Cardwell, Tully, Carmine Beach, Silkwood, Veluga when we can gain access."
In addition to Dr. Green, IFAW's team includes a wildlife vet and vet tech, who can provide immediate assistance to animals in the field and training to wildlife carers who expect an influx of animals at their facilities. One wildlife center alone had accepted 34 birds in the course of a single day. IFAW's team also will conduct an assessment of overall need. There are more than 100 wildlife care facilities in the area and it is likely that 50% or more of them have damaged structures or otherwise need assistance. With much of the natural food sources destroyed and the cost of food skyrocketing, emergency food supplies for animals will be a critical component of the response. IFAW also expects to expand sheltering facilities at centers that can receive large numbers of animals from impacted areas for up to 30 days. In the long-term, damaged structures at wildlife care facilities will need to be rebuilt and habitat restoration will be needed to bring back natural food sources for animals. "There are a lot of people doing great work for animals here," said Dr. Green. "IFAW's goal is to get the animals and the people who care for them in Queensland through this initial crisis and help them rebuild for the future." *Newswire
Tin Can Bay Marina Campaign
Wildlife campaigner Bob Irwin has stepped up his campaign against the Norman Point marina, as the deadline looms for a federal decision on the proposal. Mr Irwin, founder of Australia Zoo and father of the late Steve Irwin, says Australians have only a limited opportunity to make their feelings known before a decision is made by federal Environment Minister Tony Bourke some time after the end of the month. “The Tin Can Bay region is unique – one of the last outstanding and diverse ecosystems on the east coast of Australia,” he said yesterday. “It is home to a plethora of precious wildlife including endangered dugongs and sea turtles and rare humpback dolphins.” Mr Irwin also expressed his concern about a second marina proposal at Carlo Point. “They will severely damage the region and its critically important inhabitants. “Should development be sanctioned, it will put at risk a World Heritage listing, which is currently pending for the Cooloola region.”
Supporters said Mr Irwin is continuing his son’s legacy as the major high profile champion of conservation in the region. “I will fight as long and as hard as necessary to save this magnificent area from development. “This is no longer a local issue – this is the habitat of species that are threatened all over the world and we need to make a stand and save some critical habitat for them.” He urged Australians to take advantage of a “click and save” campaign, using internet technology to help people voice their views. “It takes three seconds to send a letter directly to Mr Bourke, asking him to reject the plans,” the supporter said. “To date, 35,000 votes have been collected online. Mr Irwin said there were now many government reports recognising that Australia’s biodiversity is declining. “The Fraser Straits Marina (at Norman Point) will bring 240 wet and 120 dry berths, while the nearby Carlo Point Marina will bring an additional 257 wet berths to these narrow waterways,” he said, adding to stress on wildlife. *Gympie Times
Fundraising for Flood Wildlife
The Australian Wildlife Protection Council Inc. is collecting funds to offer a reward for information leading to a prosecution or conviction of the person or persons responsible for running down and killing kangaroos in the grounds of Morriset Hospital, near Newcastle. All donations made in Australia are tax deductible if made out to AWPC Public Fund or just AWPC donation. Post your cheque/money order to Australian Wildlife Protection Council Inc. C/- Maryland Wilson, President, 1098 Stumpy Gully Rd Moorooduc 3933 Victoria. A tax-deductable receipt can be sent to you. OR Make a deposit straight into AWPC’s account at your local Commonwealth Bank branch: BSB 063535, Account 10090791 Please include your name and purpose as reference when making a deposit. Eg. Freda Bloggs, Morisset Reward. Also, email Maryland Wilson, kangaroo@ hotkey.net.au and leave your name and address so a receipt can be sent to you. *AWPC
Wildlife Protection Association of Australia Inc has set up a Donation Fund, where people who wish to donate to help flood-affected wildlife can do just that. Any moneys donated to this Fund will only be provided to non government funded wildlife carers groups or individuals who are actively working on helping wildlife flood victims, orphaned or injured. Funding will be provided to wildlife carers for fuel to get into the flood affected areas, and for wildlife food, over the next months. We know who these carers are, and where they are, and we'd like to help them too, so if you would like to help the wildlife flood and cylcone victims you can donate here, tax-deductible within Australia. Donate here..... http://www.kangaroo-protection-coalition.com/floodwildlife.html
QWRC has also set up a trust fund to receive donations for wildlife carers affected by floods. Donations can be made to the wildlife disaster relief fund by direct deposit to the QWRC Trust Fund account BSB 814-282 and account number 30932248 and QWRC ask that people please use their surname as a reference. They will ensure all funds are distributed where they are most needed.
A new Fundraiser which we absolutely support has just been announced. Sydney Pet Rescue & Adoption has launched the Animal Flood Victims Emergency Appeal, and together with various other rescue groups, they are working hard to raise funds to support animals affected by the recent devastating floods in Qld. The Wildlife Protection Association of Australia is one of the organisations they have chosen to support with the Appeal. We will be using the funds they raise to support foster carers in the worst affected and priority areas, with financial support to assist with the rescue and foster care of wildlife.We thank SPRA and all the rescue groups who are working hard with them, for their support. Please click on this link to find out more about the appeal: http://www.freewebs.com/sydneypetrescueandadoption/floodappealanimals.htm
The Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital at Beerwah is also fundraising to help cover the cost of treating an influx of wildlife flood victims. Go to the Hospital website to donate.
Wildlife Groups in Victoria are arranging for food for wildlife and otherwildlife carers supples to be sent to Queensland. If any wildlife carers need anything, please contact us at info@wildlifeprotectaust.org.au and we will forward your details to them.
Bob Irwin is calling on the public to give generously towards helping set up cassowary feeding stations and longer term habiat protection in Mission Beach and surrounding areas after cyclone Yasi hit this area hard last week. Donations collected from Bob Irwins website http://www.bobirwinwildlife.com Rainforest Rescue’s website http://www.rainforestrescue.org.au and Save the Cassowary website http://www.savethecassowary.org.au will be pooled together and donated to the cause. More about Cassowaries below...........
A fundraising campaign is being undertaken by Vegan Warriors urging the government to stop killing Fraser Island Dingoes has been given a huge boost thanks to a generous artist and Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital. Sunshine Coast artist Leigh Hutfield painted the stunning "Wild Beauty of Fraser Island". This beautiful piece has been donated to Vegan Warriors to raise awareness and funds for the Fraser Island Dingo Campaign. The painting is being displayed at the Austalia Zoo Wildlife Hospital and is for sale for $2,500. Half of the money from this sale will go to the Hospital to help with their thankless work saving our precious animals. Gail Gipp, General Manager from the Hospital says "The painting donated by Leigh Hutfield is a beautiful piece of art that is admired by both the staff and the patrons that visit the Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital. The painting really captures and reflects what a magnificent and beautiful species that the dingo is." Jaylene Musgrave, Founder of Vegan Warriors has had support from Heather Mills, Paul McCartney's ex wife who sent her a statement last year imploring the Qld Govt to save the world's purest strain of dingoes. Jaylene's music industry background means she has a number of rock star supporters including Xavier Rudd, John Butler Trio and Hilltop Hoods. Jaylene is urging anyone who finds the current Govt's management plan, which includes hazing, shooting, baiting and starving the dingoes and their pups, shameful, to write to Kate Jones, Environment Minister and to contact Jaylene to be a part of the campaign. *Vegan Warrior Media Release
Wildlife Smuggling
Malaysian wildlife trafficker Anson Wong received a five-year jail sentence after his bag filled with 95 live boa constrictors suddenly burst open on a luggage conveyer belt at Kuala Lumpur airport in August 2010. The spectacular incident was unlucky for Wong, one of the biggest traders in the region, but the bust might have been expected. Authorities in the South-East Asian region have increasingly been on the lookout for high-profile wildlife smugglers. Wong's sentence reflects a growing regional awareness that wildlife crime is a major problem, suggests Elizabeth John, a spokeswoman at the South-East Asian office of wildlife trade monitoring agency TRAFFIC. However, clamping down on animal smuggling remains an ongoing battle. Some argue that legalising the wildlife pet trade would solve the problem of wildlife smuggling ..... but that doesnt seem to be the case in Australia, where since legalising some species of pet wildlife in Vic, SA, WA, and to some extent in Queensland and NSW, people are regularly caught driving South from Queensland or the Northern Territory with a carload of illegally captured wildlife......
Read more about wildlife smuggling ... http://knowledge.asb.unsw.edu.au/article.cfm?articleid=1303
Birds
If migrating birds were awarded frequent-flyer points, the ruddy turnstone would surely be travelling free in first-class for the latter part of its life. Australian scientists have just recaptured a turnstone on a beach at Flinders, Victoria, that had completed a 27,000- kilometre round-trip to its breeding grounds in Siberia, for the second consecutive year. The findings suggest that turnstones - stocky, medium-sized waders with short orange-red legs, often seen on Sydney shores in summer - fly more than 500,000 kilometres on the trans-Pacific route during their lifetime. *Age
Read more; http://www.theage.com.au/environment/animals/its-a-ruddy-long-way-to-meet-a-mate-20110207-1ak91.html
Cane Toads
It may sound counter-intuitive, but for blue tongue lizards in the Kimberley, severe bouts of food poisoning may save their lives. University of Sydney scientists are using blue tongue lizards, GPS tracking and nausea-inducing food in a bid to stop native reptiles eating poisonous cane toads. Before the lizards are released into the wild for tracking, they are taught to dislike the invasive cane toads, a process called conditioned taste aversion. Graduate student Samantha Price-Rees said 18 blue tongue lizards near Kununurra had been fed cane toad-flavoured baits laced with chemicals to induce nausea. Ms Price-Rees said laboratory tests had shown the lizards learnt to associate illness with the cane toad food after eating the bait and getting sick. "So when the lizards encounter a toad in the wild, hopefully they will avoid it," she said. University of Sydney Professor Rick Shine said research had shown blue tongue lizards and goannas were two of the most vulnerable species to cane toad invasion. At Fogg Dam, near Darwin, populations of blue tongue lizards had fallen by up to 90 per cent after the arrival of cane toads. Ms Price-Rees said scientists hoped to determine whether toad baits could be used as a large-scale method of cutting native lizard deaths. Cane toads have began inundating Kununurra and the Ord River Irrigation Area, with locals reporting hundreds of the pests in backyards and irrigation channels. *West.com.au
Cattle Back in the HIgh Country
Federal Environment MinisterTony Burke is locked in a stalemate over whether to challenge the Victorian Government's re-introduction of alpine grazing. "My department is still working with the Victorian department to determine whether or not the (alpine grazing) trial breaches federal environment law," Mr Burke said. The Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act states the Federal Government must approve any activity that has a "significant impact on a National Heritage Place". Victorian National Parks Association spokesman Phil Ingamells said he understood the Federal Government had to get the facts from the Department of Sustainability and Environment before it took action. "But I don't think DSE is providing that information," Mr Ingamells said. The grazing trial is not due to start until October. The Victorian Government however, put 400 cattle into the park last month to assess GPS tracking collars and the impact of grazing on fuel loads. * Weekly Times
WA Cockatoos Saved
More than 40 wildlife volunteers joined the Department of Environment and Conservation in an operation to save Carnaby's black cockatoos at risk from the Perth Hills fires. DEC senior wildlife officer Rick Dawson said yesterday about 130 cockatoos, some injured and others babies, at the Kaarakin Black Cockatoo Rehabilitation Centre in Martin were rounded up and put in boxes as the fire front approached. He said the birds remained in boxes overnight on Sunday but as of yesterday, fortunately, did not have to be moved. "There were about 12 DEC trucks that came from nowhere and they managed to contain that northern line," he said. "If they hadn't been there they would have been moved. It was pretty hairy." Anyone needing to report injured wildlife should call the Wildcare hotline on 9474 9055. *WANews,com.au
Ghost Nets
Meetings will be held in Darwin today to address an issue that threatens the existence of some marine species. GhostNets Australia will combine with Government representatives, marine organisations and Community Rangers to develop a strategy to combat drifting fishing nets. "Ghost nets" pose a very real threat to sea creatures as they can be difficult to see and be up to 10km long. GhostNets Australia project co-ordinator Ricki Gunn said that in the 2008 turtle nesting season, community rangers set up camp on a remote Gulf of Carpentaria beach. "In a three week period 65 turtles were found washed up in fishing net, of which 63 were rescued," she said. It's believed that over 90 per cent of the "ghost nets" in Gulf waters are not of Australia origin. The north-westerly monsoonal flow from South East Asia picks up the nets and pushes them through the Arafura Sea into the Gulf of Carpentaria. Ms Gunn said that many of the nets discovered on beaches are of the same design and material, suggesting the "same place of origin". The reasons for the large numbers of drifting nets are many and varied. Ms Gunn said they include sheer ignorance, rough weather, snags, illegal fishing and "turf wars". "Nets are being deliberately sabotaged when vessels drive over those belonging to other boats," she said. Today's meetings are an effort to draw on resources and work together to get the situation under control. *NT News
Pet Kangaroo Killed
A kangaroo's escape bid ended in tragedy when it hopped away from its owner into the path of an oncoming car, German police said. The escape caused costly damage to the car and a messy end for the marsupial. The 49-year-old owner had kept the kangaroo for many years as a house pet and had never before encountered any problems, said police in Oberfranken, southern Germany. "However, at the weekend, the kangaroo got a taste for freedom and jumped out. Despite several attempts, the owner was not able to recapture his pet," police said. The animal apparently took an extended journey around the surrounding area, because it did not meet its unfortunate fate until Monday evening, authorities said. The 30-year-old driver who collided with the roo was treated for shock. The accident caused an estimated ($1342) of damage to his vehicle. "The owner, who lived a mere 200 metres from the site of the collision, had the unfortunate task of dealing with 'his dead sweetheart'," the police announced sadly. *News.com.au
Whaling
An anti-whaling group claims Japanese whalers are catching well below their planned quota this season. Sea Shepherd Conservation Society's Paul Watson says the whalers have only caught up to 40 whales this season and are losing money. "I'd be very surprised if they've taken many whales at all," he said. "They're really under siege and they're running. I think it's going to be a financial disaster for them this year. "They're in debt now for over almost $200 million in subsidies to the government and I don't see how they can continue to carry on going down there and losing money, more every year." The comments come after the Japanese fleet and Sea Shepherd Conservation Society protesters had another violent confrontation in the Southern Ocean on Friday. Sea Shepherd says whalers were throwing bamboo spears and a whaling ship tried to ram one of the conservation group's boats. Japan's Institute of Cetacean Research did not respond to the ABC. *
Kidnapped!
Six conservation volunteers kidnapped by armed gunmen in northeastern India were working for the World Wildlife Fund for Nature, authorities said Monday. The six post-graduate students, three of them women, were seized at gunpoint Sunday in the Laopani forest in lower Assam's Kokrajhar district on the Bhutan border, police official R.N. Boro told the Press Trust of India. The kidnapping came just hours after a decision by local Bodo tribal groups to renew their campaign for a separate state, the BBC reported Monday. The students, who were installing cameras for an elephant and tiger census operation at the time. * UPI.com
Taiji Dolphins
Fishermen use tarpaulins in a bid to cover up the slaughter of dolphins - as secret filming exposes their horrific killing methods. Officials had claimed the mammals were destroyed humanely after 2009 Oscar-winning documentary The Cove told how 2,000 were killed every year in Taiji, Japan. Fishermen said that piercing the animals' spinal cord with a sharp spike killed them instantly. But video shot using cameras hidden on cliffs overlooking the waters show what really happens. Hunters are seen driving a spike into dolphins' flesh before ramming a wooden plug in the wound to stop the blood turning the sea RED. They then DROWN the animals by tying their fins and pushing them underwater. Ric O'Barry, 71, who trained TV dolphin Flipper and made The Cove, last night said: "The dolphins thrash in agony for minutes. It is beyond cruel. We knew it was a lie, but couldn't prove it until now." Activist Dieter Hagmann, who revealed the video for German conservationists Atlantic Blue, said: "The video confirms our worst fears. "The fisherman work in shielded secrecy and supposedly use a bloodless humane method of killing. The footage exposed the cruel truth." The Japanese government defends the killings for meat as traditional. *Sun
Sharks
The number of reported shark attacks last year increased worldwide but declined in Florida, according to the University of Florida's International Shark Attack File annual report released today. Ichthyologist George Burgess, director of the file housed at the Florida Museum of Natural History on the UF campus, said Florida typically has the highest number of attacks worldwide, but 2010 marked the state's fourth straight year of decline. Florida led the U.S. with 13 reported attacks, but the total was significantly lower than the yearly average of 23 over the past decade. The U.S. led the world in shark attacks — an average year by U.S. standards — followed by Australia (14), South Africa (8), Vietnam (6) and Egypt (6). The most unusual event occurred off the coast of Egypt in early December with five attacks, including one fatality. The attacks occurred within five days and four of the five were attributed to two individual sharks. * Underwater Times
Starving Kangaroos
In last weeks Wildlife Bytes we mentioned the story about starving kangaroos in WA.
http://www.inmycommunity.com.au/news-and-views/local-news/Trapped-roos-starving/7582643/
According to the WA Dept Environment and Conservation they were aware of this mob of landlocked kangaroos in 2008 and their risk of starvation after beingcut off from their main food source by development and multi lane highways. DEC passed responsibility to the developers to look after them. Not surprisingly the developers did not care for these landlocked kangaroos and have consequently starved. If you would like to make a complaint about this please contact:
RSPCA WA, Telephone:(08) 9209 9300 FAX: (08) 9248 3144, Email: rspca@rspcawa.asn.au Honourable W R Marmion BE MBA MLA, Minister for Environment; Water, Address: 77 St George's Terrace, PERTH WA 6000, Telephone: (08) 9220-5000, Fax: (08) 9220-5001 e-Mail: Minister.Marmion@dpc.wa.gov.au
And/or Write a letter to the editor to: editor.mandurahmail@ruralpress.com letters@wanews.com.au editorial@sundaytimes.newsltd.com.au
Beware of the Emu
Iron Knob ( SA ) residents have taken to hiding in the local post office in recent weeks to steer clear of male emus guarding their eggs at the football oval across the road. Donna Smith said the town - population about 150 - was looking forward to the chicks hatching in the coming months but meantime, residents with mobility scooters would continue to motor past the oval at record speed. "There is about one emu to every 15 people in the town," Mrs Smith said. "The way we're going, we might need an emu crossing for them." *Adelaide Now
Kangaroo Sticker
The RSPCA says a campervan hire company is promoting the deliberate killing of kangaroos by putting a sticker ''Kangaroo's, run the f---ers down!'' in its vans. The mock blood-splattered stickers have been placed on the dashboards of Wicked Campers' more than 1000 vans. Wicked chief executive John Webb says the stickers educate his clients, often foreign tourists, to go straight ahead when a kangaroo bounds across the road, and not to swerve and possibly roll the car.
Mr Webb, who said he was an animal lover, said clients' accidents involving kangaroos had been slashed by 90 per cent since he started introducing the stickers five years ago. The wording was a ''pisstake'' and a souvenir for tourists, although his wife has made him change the word ''f---ers'' in future to ''buggers''. 'It's a bit of fun, a bit of a laugh,'' he said. But animal activists don't see the joke. ''It's openly encouraging cruelty to protected native wildlife,'' said Australian Society for Kangaroos co-ordinator Nikki Sutterby. 'Kangaroo numbers are at critical densities … so for them to be encouraging this sort of cruelty is vile.'' She said it appeared neither a joke nor a safety message. ''My impression is that they're sending a message to actively run down kangaroos. It's not saying, 'for safety reasons, don't swerve'.''
Jaylene Musgrave from activist group Vegan Warriors called for the ''disgusting'' stickers to be removed. RSPCA inspectorate services manager Greg Boland said: ''To my mind, it actually promotes that it's acceptable to run down kangaroos and other wildlife.'' He said ''it may not be taken in the lighthearted manner it's meant to be, especially by international tourists''. Drivers deliberately running down a kangaroo could face a $28,000 fine or two years in jail under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, he said. Sergeant Michael Kayrooz from the Victoria Police driver training unit said drivers seeing a kangaroo should ''brake firmly, if you can, in a straight line, and if you can avoid the kangaroo, great.'' *Age
Flying Foxes
Flying foxes have returned to Adelaide from the eastern states in what seems to be turning into an annual pilgrimage. Professor of Urban Ecology Chris Daniels said a small colony had taken up residence this year in the Botanic Gardens. "There's only a very small number have turned up, about 30 or so," he said. At least 1,200 grey-headed flying foxes flew into Adelaide last May and moved into a pine tree at suburban Fullarton. "With the big mob last year they all went into a pencil pine which seemed to give them some protection," Professor Daniels said. "It was a lot colder, a lot later in the year, some protection against the cold." Last year the colony was moved on by people making loud noise near their roost, but experts are unwilling to see the same tried this year, as the flying foxes have brought their young with them. "This is the first time we've seen babies and that's presenting a real challenge because we also know the numbers of this species across Australia are dropping quite alarmingly," Professor Daniels said.
The grey-headed flying foxes are believed to have migrated west since numbers of black-headed flying foxes increased and forced them out of their eastern habitats. Professor Daniels said it was natural for the creatures to flee to South Australia. "These are forest-dwelling animals. [If] they have lost their forest habitat in Queensland and New South Wales then they will move around," he said. "These animals are refugees. We may have a really important conservation role to play in saving the species." *ABC
Flying foxes are causing serious health concerns on Magnetic Island in the wake of Cyclone Yasi. Picnic Bay man Julien Van der Schouw required 14 injections at the Townsville Hospital after a frightening encounter with a flying fox this week. But the Monday night attack had an incredible sequel, with a flying mammal descending on Mr Van der Schouw yesterday afternoon as he was on his way to thank those who helped him out during the first incident. Mr Van der Schouw holds grave fears for the safety of residents in the island community following an influx of the desperate creatures. Skies over the island have become littered with flying foxes left homeless after Cyclone Yasi decimated vegetation. Flying foxes have the potential to carry lyssavirus, a rabies-like virus that can be fatal to humans. They may also carry Hendra virus which, to date, has only affected humans via horses.
Mr Van der Schouw was bitten multiple times on the arm while having a quiet cider at the Picnic Bay Hotel on Monday night. He was left with 10 puncture wounds down his left arm, requiring a course of antibiotics and a continual course of injections in the coming weeks. Experts are recording a large number of flying foxes in cyclone-effected areas after strong winds washed the nectar from flowers, destroying their main source of food. Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service director of wildlife management Nick Rigby urged residents to be aware of the potential dangers. "Members of the public should not handle or approach flying foxes. Anyone who comes into contact with a flying fox should seek medical advice," he said. * Townsville Buletin
Kangaroos
Victoria's ban on processing kangaroos is robbing the state's agricultural industry of more than $13 million a year, according to the Kangaroo Industry Association of Australia. The association recently presented the Victorian Farmers Federation with a management plan to put to the State Government. It argued handing shooting rights to commercial harvesters rather than amateur shooters delivered animal welfare advantages. It also estimated more than $2 million would be created by processing kangaroos, with savings of more than $10 million in the form of less damage to farmland. Victoria's increased kangaroo numbers made headlines last week when they forced the cancellation of the Hanging Rock Australia Day races.
KIAA executive officer John Kelly said developing a management plan was the first step toward legalising commercial kangaroo harvesting in Victoria. "For Victoria to process roos, the state has to write a management plan and get it approved by the Commonwealth Government, which is a fairly significant undertaking," he said. "The state has to be convinced that it is an appropriate thing to be doing, and I would hope that the lobby from the VFF would help convince them to do so." He said any proposal could take 18 months. VFF president Andrew Broad said kangaroo processing had merit. Victoria and the Northern Territory are the only Australian states or territories that do not have a commercial kangaroo harvesting plan. *Weeklytimes
Racing at Hanging Rock is on hold until a new kangaroo management plan is put in place, as debate rages on how to stop another race event being cancelled at the reserve. East Ward councillor Joe Morabito told Leader last week he would push for shire-wide management plans on kangaroos and wombats. Cr Morabito, who is a member of the Hanging Rock Reserve Committee, said kangaroos were running amok in the Macedon Ranges. “There were many visitors at Hanging Rock on Australia Day, huge economic losses were suffered and the problem is still there,” Cr Morabito said. But he did not favour a cull of wildlife, only a proper management plan. However Macedon Ranges Wildlife Network spokeswoman Fiona Corke said management plans overseen by government bodies was code for a cull. “People go to Hanging Rock for the occasional event but it is a permanent nature reserve and link for kangaroos roaming through other parts of the Macedon Ranges.”
Kyneton and Hanging Rock Racing Club officials met Macedon Ranges Council and racing boards last week with plans to meet DSE and discuss future events. Club chief executive Mark Graham said the kangaroo management plan failed on the day. “Three times in 45 minutes a mob of kangaroos charged down from the eastern hill and three times in 45 minutes a number of kangaroos got on to the course by jumping a fence,” he said. “We plan to run the New Year’s Day picnic races next year but a better plan will be in place before it can happen.” *Macedon Leader
Leave a comment. http://macedon-ranges-leader.whereilive.com.au/news/story/have-your-say-roos-put-hanging-rock-races-off-rails/
Pet reptiles
Born Free USA, a leader in animal welfare and wildlife conservation, says that a snake bite that sent a Fair Lawn, NJ man to the hospital in critical condition on Monday, is just one of thousands of unnecessary occurrences between wild and exotic animals and humans. Every year, captive wild animals kept as private “pets,” as well as in zoos and circuses, are involved in incidents that result in human injury or death. Millions of reptiles -- snakes and lizards -- in private possession pose severe safety risks to humans, including the transmission of deadly diseases, strangulations, and bites. Snakes are the most common “pet” reptiles - about 3 percent of U.S. households possess 7.3 million pet reptiles.
According to Will Travers, Born Free CEO, “By their very nature, exotic animals are dangerous creatures. This New Jersey man kept three snakes as ‘pets,’ not only putting his own life at risk, but that of his family and community. Given the life these animals are forced to endure as pets, it is no surprise that they exhibit their natural instincts to the detriment of their owner and the public at large. These animals are time bombs waiting to explode.” Born Free USA tracks such incidents through its online database (bornfreeusa.org/reports) designed as a resource for the media, lawmakers, activists and the public, to help shed light on the magnitude of the issue.
The database lists more than 1,450 attacks and incidents reported that have occurred since 1990, searchable by state, species, and key word, and includes a map graphic marking each location -- a shocking visual to illustrate how geographically widespread the problem is. History has proven that injury or death can happen at any time, anywhere, as a result of someone keeping a wild animal as a pet, a captive animal escaping from a zoo, or an animal used for entertainment. Travers wants people to know that “Wild animals in captivity are ticking time bombs when it comes to public safety. They should not be confined. They deserve better than that.”
Born Free USA asks the public to report any incidents that may not already be in the database, by emailing details to info@bornfreeusa.org. Born Free USA is a nationally recognized leader in animal welfare and wildlife conservation. Through litigation, legislation, and public education, Born Free USA leads vital campaigns against animals in entertainment, exotic “pets”, trapping and fur, and destructive international wildlife trade. Born Free USA’s Primate Sanctuary in Texas is home to more than 500 primates rescued from laboratories, roadside zoos, and private possession. Born Free USA brings to America the message of “compassionate conservation,” the vision of the U.K.-based Born Free Foundation, established in 1984 by Bill Travers and Virginia McKenna, stars of the iconic film Born Free, along with their son Will, now CEO of both organizations. Born Free USA’s mission is to end suffering of wild animals in captivity, conserve threatened and endangered species, and encourage compassionate conservation globally. *BornFree
Cassowaries
Mission Beach's famous cassowary population will struggle in the coming weeks as fruit smashed to the ground during Cyclone Yasi begins to rot. Their habitat in the wet tropics rainforests, that hugs the Mission Beach township, has been ripped to shreds and the canopy has disappeared leaving the endangered birds exposed to the elements. Tully vet Graham Lauridsen said no doubt some would have been killed in the cyclone. "We know that some of these cassowaries would have perished, especially at this time of year when there's lots of chicks around," he told AAP. Now that the immediate threat of the cyclone has passed, possible deaths from starvation are not expected to be seen for another month or more, or when falling fruit rots away. "In a month or six weeks time is when cassowary issues are going to take off big time," Mr Lauridsen said.
The State government said wildlife officers were due to visit the ground on Monday examining the cyclone's impact on cassowary rainforest habitat. "We haven't made a clear decision about whether we will establish feeding stations again but of course it will be on the table," Queensland Environment minister Kate Jones said. Bob Irwin, father of late wildlife warrior Steve Irwin, has also launched a campaign to save the cassowaries. He said the Bob Irwin Wildlife Fund will work with community and government organisations to protect the birds. The Mission Beach cassowary population which ranges anywhere between 40 and 200 is one of the most healthy in Australia. They have become iconic for the region, and the local council even uses the name in its title, The Cassowary Coast Regional Council.
Locals are protective of the cassowaries and some are doing their bit to help. Rob Jeffrey said the birds are highly territorial and he has been feeding one of two that live on his two acre property. "I've been looking after the male but I haven't seen the female since the cyclone hit," Mr Jeffery told AAP. "I know they're resilient. They've been handling this for the last thousand years." Steph Curnuck owns the caravan park that backs on to a cassowary corridor. She said all the locals love the birds even if they are not conservationists. "I don't think I know of anyone, even if they're not part of the green scene, who wants to see harm come to them, they're such beautiful creatures," she said. Huge road signs dot the road into the town every two kilometres telling visitors to slow down and avoid collision with the large birds. Anneke Begraaf from the Save the Cassowary campaign said one of the dangers will be collisions with cars when the birds start straying to find their next feed. "People will be pre-occupied on the road trying to organise their food and water and not paying attention to cassowaries," she said. "The first priority is to get their lives sorted and after that the cassowaries will become a priority. Another issue will be heat exhaustion. The big black birds now have little canopy for shade from the tropical sun, and waterholes used to cool down will have a lot of debris." *Ch9 News
State Government Feeds Cassowaries....but not Fraser Island Dingoes
Immediate action to help rare Cassowaries recover from Cyclone Yasi A specialist Cassowary Response Team has been immediately formed to lead the recovery of this iconic bird impacted by Cyclone Yasi near Mission Beach. Climate Change and Sustainability Minister Kate Jones said an action plan had been developed, and the first priority to undertake aerial surveys was already underway. The next priority is the consideration of aerial food drops in targeted locations to supplement food sources for the birds. Finally, feeding stations are being investigated to be set up throughout the cassowary habitat to draw the birds away from local residences and roads as they search for food supplies. Ms Jones said the aerial surveys already undertaken have identified significant damage to the overstorey of the canopy around Mission Beach. "More aerial surveys are being carried out today, to fully assess the extent of the damage in crucial cassowary habitat," Ms Jones said.
"Aerial food drops are being considere d for later this week to supplement food sources where the birds' natural supplies are depleted. "Discussions with independent experts and conservation groups are also underway to consider the most appropriate locations for feeding stations, to ensure the safety of the birds. "New monitoring cameras will also be deployed to ensure we have the best possible information on the movements and welfare of the cassowaries." Ms Jones said the iconic cassowaries were hit hard during Cyclone Larry in 2006, and now this threatened species has been hit again. "While some areas are still inaccessible on the ground, it's expected that cassowary habitat further south, along the coastal range between Mission Beach and Ingham has also suffered significant damage," Ms Jones said.
"Cassowary habitat and food supplies were also impacted by Cyclone Larry and so our wildlife experts are drawing on experiences then to ensure our actions now are successful.
"It's vital that members of the public don't feed cassowaries - for their own safety and in the interests of the birds' survival long term. Cassowaries that come to expect food from humans can become aggressive and dangerous. "Our Cassowary Response Team will be actively engaged with the community, including local cassowary conservation groups and local government as they develop our full response. "We're determined to ensure we give these incredible birds and their habitat every chance of recovery." Gov. Media Release, Media Contact: 3239 0818
Comment from one of our Networks, and we agree totally.
Mission Beach has declared an emergency feeding program for the endangered Cassowary, so they don't starve.
http://news.ninemsn.com.au/national/yasi/8208093/new-team-set-up-to-help-cassowaries
What about setting up an emergency feeding program for the Fraser Island dingoes who are actually starving to death? Many have been found dead with nothing but grass and sand in their stomachs. Yet they are guarded by hired thugs to stop people from feeding them. Do we have to have another cyclone or other disaster before we see a need to stop this ongoing suffering? Those MIS-managing them thought it would be smart to feed them poison biscuits 'to deter them' from taking food from tourists. Jennifer Parkhurst was fined $40,000 and given a suspended jail term for taking pity and feeding them. The charge was "interfering with dingoes". What sort of a country makes up such a charge?
http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/fraser-island-dingo-whisperer-in-the-dock/story-e6freoof-1225947079242
An excerpt from the Australian Wildlife Protection Council's newsletter; Christmas 2010. Volume 21 Number 3:
"15 months ago, Jennifer Parkhurst, a widely respected woman and insulin-dependent diabetic, was rudely awakened at 7am by Qld Dept of Environment and Resource Management squad pounding on her door. The next 6 hours were spent in a terrified state of shock, watching her personal possessions and professional equipment being confiscated and carried off by the DERM 'goons'. She didn't realise the vindictiveness and persistence of the louts employed by the Qld Gov't to manage Fraser Island and the unfortunate, hapless dingoes. They confiscated most of her belongings, including her paintings, photographs, personal documents, even Gov't documents legally obtained under FOI. The dingo family Jennifer photographed were later killed out of sheer bloody-mindedness, although the perpetrators said they were destroyed after 'exhibiting increasingly aggressive behaviour'. [Bullies are actually cowards beneath all the posturing].
If you haven't yet had a chance to look at Jennifer Parkhurst's moving Fraser Island dingo YouTube clip, see it now.....and there's more dingo info below.......
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U_nHinnQ5eM
Cllimate Change
The Government's key climate change adviser, Ross Garnaut, says Australia needs to catch up to the rest of the world in its efforts to address climate change. In a speech to the Lowy Institute in Sydney, Professor Garnaut has given a scathing update on his 2008 climate change review. He says Australia is the worst offender in the developed world as it has the highest level of greenhouse gas emissions. "Certainly through the last 10 years, Australia's been a significant drag on the global effort. We would cease to be a drag if we came up to an average sort of effort," he said. "Stopping being a drag is a big step forward for Australia." Professor Garnaut says it is in the nation's national interest to move to a low carbon economy. He would not be drawn on what he will be recommending to the Government concerning a price on carbon or an emissions trading scheme, saying he will reveal more at his address to the National Press Club next month.
But he says that Australia's move to put a price on carbon pollution would make it easier for the US and Canada to take action too. These three countries have the highest emissions per head of population in the developed world. "We will make it easier for our friends in North America who want to do a lot, like the United States government - it wants to do a lot. It's finding the politics heavy going like we are here," Professor Garnaut said. Not only does he say Australia is an influence on the US and Canada but also on countries in the developing world. "If we don't do anything, we can be pretty sure that there's a whole lot of developing countries that would find that a good reason not to do anything," he said. But Transport Minister Anthony Albanese has hit back at claims that the Government is dragging its feet, saying it remains determined to put a price on carbon.
The Gillard Government would need the support of the Greens to introduce a carbon price and Greens deputy leader Christine Milne approves of Professor Garnaut's call to action. "I am very pleased to read Professor Garnaut's recent report. In particular he's pointing out that Australia, the US and Canada are really dragging the world back," she said. "And he has had a good look, showing that China and the EU are moving ahead very strongly and that that has big implications for compensation to trade exposed industries." She is pleased to see Government has set up the multi-party climate committee but says the Government needs to work on delivering a carbon price in Australia. "It's not a silver bullet," she said. "We also need regulatory measures. We also need other complimentary measures to bring on the renewables in the time frame we need so that we can make the transition away from fossil fuels." *ABC
Arkaroola Sanctuary
A SA State Government decision will allow a company to drill for uranium in the Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary. The Sanctuary's owner Marg Sprigg said the decision was a disaster, and South Australian Liberal Senator Nick Minchin described it as one of the most reckless decisions of the State Labor Government. A poll on the AdelaideNow website found more than 80 per cent of more than 2000 respondents opposed mining in the area, and comments published online were overwhelmingly negative. Marathon Resources' drilling rights were suspended in February 2008 after it was found to have illegally dumped exploration drilling waste, which it was later forced to clean up. The company's drilling rights were reinstated yesterday for one year from now after it agreed to new environmental conditions, and chairman Peter Williams said the company planned to start drilling as soon as possible. Mr Williams reiterated that the company's initial breach had been inadvertent and it was possible for minerals exploration and other activities to coexist. "All we're asking to do is give us the chance to demonstrate what we believe will be a highly prospective ore deposit there," Mr Williams said.
"It is very large and it will be in the national interest, in the state's interest obviously if we can pursue it." The area in question is currently covered by a Class A environmental zoning, under which mining is only allowed when there is an over-riding national or state interest. Ms Sprigg said she was shocked she was not kept aware of the process by the State Government and could not see how the company could drill for minerals without causing a lot of environmental harm. "That means opening up a heck of a lot of country, a heck of a lot of environmental damage," she said. "As far as I'm concerned the environmental damage would be huge. I find it shocking that we haven't been involved in this discussion process." Greens MLC Mark Parnell said it was an "appalling" decision. The company has strong ties to the Labor Party. Former Labor senator John Quirke is the registered lobbyist for Marathon, while another former Labor senator, Chris Schacht, is a company director. *AdelaideNow
Fraser Island Dingoes
Jaylene Musgrave was only a youngster when she was first introduced to the harsh realities of livestock slaughter. Her father was a meat inspector at the Kilcoy abattoir and although she didn’t know it at the time, her exposure to his work was to shape not only her future lifestyle choices but also her passion and career. The Coolum woman who founded the organisation Vegan Warriors is now a passionate campaigner for animal rights – from the dingoes of Fraser Island to kangaroos, wombats and battery hens Jaylene clearly remembers the turning point in her life as the day she came home to find her childhood chicken “friends” on the dining table. “I have been vegetarian since I was 13, when I first realized the connection between what I ate and the animals slaughtered in the process,” she said. “I see all animals as friends and I feel my heart’s in the right place in wanting to protect them. “I turned vegan five years ago, about the same time that I created the animal rights organisation Vegan Warriors.” Following years in the music industry, playing personal assistant and publicist to the likes of Jimmy Barnes and The Divinyls, Jaylene decided to use her publicity skills and connections to champion a cause close to her heart. “I created Vegan Warriors because I wanted to use my skills in publicity and marketing to raise awareness about animal cruelty.”
Vegan Warriors’ latest campaign is against the controversial treatment of the Fraser Island dingo population, which has garnered support from celebrities including John Butler Trio, Xavier Rudd, Oka, Vanessa Amrosi and Paul McCartney’s ex-wife, Heather Mills. Jaylene is heading a campaign petitioning the government to stop the current management plan for the animals, which she says includes hazing, shooting, baiting and starving the dingoes and their pups. “The treatment of these animals is just disgusting,” she said. “There are reports of these animals emaciated and weak. The current management plan is pushing the species to the brink of extinction.” The Fraser Island dingoes are the purest strain of dingo left in Australia, due to their geographic isolation from mainland wild dogs. Control measures were increased after a dingo attacked and killed nine-year-old visitor Clinton Gage on Fraser Island in 2001. But Jaylene believes the current management plan is inhumane and needs to be stopped or drastically modified.
She says that the State Government is more concerned about tourism dollars than the welfare of the native animals. “Fraser Island is the only World Heritage Listed Site that does not have a cap on tourism. “The Government has no respect for these animals, and insists that there is no problem with the current management plan.” Jaylene is calling for an independent agency, informed by experts in the field, to take over the management of the dingoes. She also believes that land should be purchased on the island and set aside specifically for the dingoes. “Experts have said that relocation of the animals to another part of Australia will not be successful, as it is not ideal for the animals to be separated from the pack.” In addition to the host of national and international stars that have lent their support to the cause, local celebrities have come forward to offer a hand. “The help from these celebrities has been invaluable, both in raising publicity and awareness of the issue,” she said.
The latest offering is a painting donated by Sunshine Coast artist, Leigh Hutfield, to raise funds for the cause. “Wild Beauty of Fraser Island” is being displayed at the Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital, and is on sale for $2500, with half the profits to go to the hospital. Since its launch, Vegan Warriors has been actively campaigning for the protection and better treatment of local fauna, including wombats and kangaroos, as well as focusing on factory farming. The organisation was created in response to a deficient of local animal activism. “I realised there was a real lack of an animal rights movement here on the Sunshine Coast and I decided that it was about time that somebody did something about it,” Jaylene said. Over the past five years she has assembled an army of supporters, including animal rights lawyers, solicitors, barristers, university lecturers and award-winning writers, but she extends an invitation to anyone that loves animals and wants to speak out against animal abuse to contact her and become involved. *Sunshine Coast Daily
Ed Comment; the reason the Queensland Labor Government wont change the Fraser Island dingo "management plan" is by doing so they will have to admit they got it wrong...for 20 years they have got it wrong! Back in the 90's when the "plan" was developed they didnt listen to the voices of commonsense in the community, they just went ahead with their own "experts" and did it all wrong. The Queensland Labor Government just doesnt have the capacity to admit they were wrong for 20 years and change the "plan"......simple as that.
Wildlife Bytes 10/2/11
Leading Stories
Cyclone Impacted Wildlife
On Saturday, emergency responders from IFAW, the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW - www.ifaw.org) arrived in Cairns, Queensland to help wildlife carers still struggling from the recent floods when category five cyclone Yasi hit on Wednesday. IFAW immediately met with the local wildlife association and vets to develop a response plan for animals in the area who are suffering primarily from a loss of food sources and shelter as a result of the two disasters. "With the cumulative affects of the flood and cyclone, we are seeing a lot of need among wildlife carers in the area," said IFAW's Manager of Disaster Relief Dr. Dick Green. Initially, IFAW set up response efforts out of Cairns, which faired very well during the storm. Most debris has been cleared and power restored. The rest of the region was not so fortunate. "Mission Beach will be top priority given its accessibility and the dozen wildlife carers who need assistance to rebuild damaged facilities," added Dick Green. "IFAW will move on to areas south of Mission Beach such as Cardwell, Tully, Carmine Beach, Silkwood, Veluga when we can gain access."
In addition to Dr. Green, IFAW's team includes a wildlife vet and vet tech, who can provide immediate assistance to animals in the field and training to wildlife carers who expect an influx of animals at their facilities. One wildlife center alone had accepted 34 birds in the course of a single day. IFAW's team also will conduct an assessment of overall need. There are more than 100 wildlife care facilities in the area and it is likely that 50% or more of them have damaged structures or otherwise need assistance. With much of the natural food sources destroyed and the cost of food skyrocketing, emergency food supplies for animals will be a critical component of the response. IFAW also expects to expand sheltering facilities at centers that can receive large numbers of animals from impacted areas for up to 30 days. In the long-term, damaged structures at wildlife care facilities will need to be rebuilt and habitat restoration will be needed to bring back natural food sources for animals. "There are a lot of people doing great work for animals here," said Dr. Green. "IFAW's goal is to get the animals and the people who care for them in Queensland through this initial crisis and help them rebuild for the future." *Newswire
Tin Can Bay Marina Campaign
Wildlife campaigner Bob Irwin has stepped up his campaign against the Norman Point marina, as the deadline looms for a federal decision on the proposal. Mr Irwin, founder of Australia Zoo and father of the late Steve Irwin, says Australians have only a limited opportunity to make their feelings known before a decision is made by federal Environment Minister Tony Bourke some time after the end of the month. “The Tin Can Bay region is unique – one of the last outstanding and diverse ecosystems on the east coast of Australia,” he said yesterday. “It is home to a plethora of precious wildlife including endangered dugongs and sea turtles and rare humpback dolphins.” Mr Irwin also expressed his concern about a second marina proposal at Carlo Point. “They will severely damage the region and its critically important inhabitants. “Should development be sanctioned, it will put at risk a World Heritage listing, which is currently pending for the Cooloola region.”
Supporters said Mr Irwin is continuing his son’s legacy as the major high profile champion of conservation in the region. “I will fight as long and as hard as necessary to save this magnificent area from development. “This is no longer a local issue – this is the habitat of species that are threatened all over the world and we need to make a stand and save some critical habitat for them.” He urged Australians to take advantage of a “click and save” campaign, using internet technology to help people voice their views. “It takes three seconds to send a letter directly to Mr Bourke, asking him to reject the plans,” the supporter said. “To date, 35,000 votes have been collected online. Mr Irwin said there were now many government reports recognising that Australia’s biodiversity is declining. “The Fraser Straits Marina (at Norman Point) will bring 240 wet and 120 dry berths, while the nearby Carlo Point Marina will bring an additional 257 wet berths to these narrow waterways,” he said, adding to stress on wildlife. *Gympie Times
Fundraising for Flood Wildlife
The Australian Wildlife Protection Council Inc. is collecting funds to offer a reward for information leading to a prosecution or conviction of the person or persons responsible for running down and killing kangaroos in the grounds of Morriset Hospital, near Newcastle. All donations made in Australia are tax deductible if made out to AWPC Public Fund or just AWPC donation. Post your cheque/money order to Australian Wildlife Protection Council Inc. C/- Maryland Wilson, President, 1098 Stumpy Gully Rd Moorooduc 3933 Victoria. A tax-deductable receipt can be sent to you. OR Make a deposit straight into AWPC’s account at your local Commonwealth Bank branch: BSB 063535, Account 10090791 Please include your name and purpose as reference when making a deposit. Eg. Freda Bloggs, Morisset Reward. Also, email Maryland Wilson, kangaroo@ hotkey.net.au and leave your name and address so a receipt can be sent to you. *AWPC
Wildlife Protection Association of Australia Inc has set up a Donation Fund, where people who wish to donate to help flood-affected wildlife can do just that. Any moneys donated to this Fund will only be provided to non government funded wildlife carers groups or individuals who are actively working on helping wildlife flood victims, orphaned or injured. Funding will be provided to wildlife carers for fuel to get into the flood affected areas, and for wildlife food, over the next months. We know who these carers are, and where they are, and we'd like to help them too, so if you would like to help the wildlife flood and cylcone victims you can donate here, tax-deductible within Australia. Donate here..... http://www.kangaroo-protection-coalition.com/floodwildlife.html
QWRC has also set up a trust fund to receive donations for wildlife carers affected by floods. Donations can be made to the wildlife disaster relief fund by direct deposit to the QWRC Trust Fund account BSB 814-282 and account number 30932248 and QWRC ask that people please use their surname as a reference. They will ensure all funds are distributed where they are most needed.
A new Fundraiser which we absolutely support has just been announced. Sydney Pet Rescue & Adoption has launched the Animal Flood Victims Emergency Appeal, and together with various other rescue groups, they are working hard to raise funds to support animals affected by the recent devastating floods in Qld. The Wildlife Protection Association of Australia is one of the organisations they have chosen to support with the Appeal. We will be using the funds they raise to support foster carers in the worst affected and priority areas, with financial support to assist with the rescue and foster care of wildlife.We thank SPRA and all the rescue groups who are working hard with them, for their support. Please click on this link to find out more about the appeal: http://www.freewebs.com/sydneypetrescueandadoption/floodappealanimals.htm
The Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital at Beerwah is also fundraising to help cover the cost of treating an influx of wildlife flood victims. Go to the Hospital website to donate.
Wildlife Groups in Victoria are arranging for food for wildlife and otherwildlife carers supples to be sent to Queensland. If any wildlife carers need anything, please contact us at info@wildlifeprotectaust.org.au and we will forward your details to them.
Bob Irwin is calling on the public to give generously towards helping set up cassowary feeding stations and longer term habiat protection in Mission Beach and surrounding areas after cyclone Yasi hit this area hard last week. Donations collected from Bob Irwins website http://www.bobirwinwildlife.com Rainforest Rescue’s website http://www.rainforestrescue.org.au and Save the Cassowary website http://www.savethecassowary.org.au will be pooled together and donated to the cause. More about Cassowaries below...........
A fundraising campaign is being undertaken by Vegan Warriors urging the government to stop killing Fraser Island Dingoes has been given a huge boost thanks to a generous artist and Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital. Sunshine Coast artist Leigh Hutfield painted the stunning "Wild Beauty of Fraser Island". This beautiful piece has been donated to Vegan Warriors to raise awareness and funds for the Fraser Island Dingo Campaign. The painting is being displayed at the Austalia Zoo Wildlife Hospital and is for sale for $2,500. Half of the money from this sale will go to the Hospital to help with their thankless work saving our precious animals. Gail Gipp, General Manager from the Hospital says "The painting donated by Leigh Hutfield is a beautiful piece of art that is admired by both the staff and the patrons that visit the Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital. The painting really captures and reflects what a magnificent and beautiful species that the dingo is." Jaylene Musgrave, Founder of Vegan Warriors has had support from Heather Mills, Paul McCartney's ex wife who sent her a statement last year imploring the Qld Govt to save the world's purest strain of dingoes. Jaylene's music industry background means she has a number of rock star supporters including Xavier Rudd, John Butler Trio and Hilltop Hoods. Jaylene is urging anyone who finds the current Govt's management plan, which includes hazing, shooting, baiting and starving the dingoes and their pups, shameful, to write to Kate Jones, Environment Minister and to contact Jaylene to be a part of the campaign. *Vegan Warrior Media Release
Wildlife Smuggling
Malaysian wildlife trafficker Anson Wong received a five-year jail sentence after his bag filled with 95 live boa constrictors suddenly burst open on a luggage conveyer belt at Kuala Lumpur airport in August 2010. The spectacular incident was unlucky for Wong, one of the biggest traders in the region, but the bust might have been expected. Authorities in the South-East Asian region have increasingly been on the lookout for high-profile wildlife smugglers. Wong's sentence reflects a growing regional awareness that wildlife crime is a major problem, suggests Elizabeth John, a spokeswoman at the South-East Asian office of wildlife trade monitoring agency TRAFFIC. However, clamping down on animal smuggling remains an ongoing battle. Some argue that legalising the wildlife pet trade would solve the problem of wildlife smuggling ..... but that doesnt seem to be the case in Australia, where since legalising some species of pet wildlife in Vic, SA, WA, and to some extent in Queensland and NSW, people are regularly caught driving South from Queensland or the Northern Territory with a carload of illegally captured wildlife......
Read more about wildlife smuggling ... http://knowledge.asb.unsw.edu.au/article.cfm?articleid=1303
Birds
If migrating birds were awarded frequent-flyer points, the ruddy turnstone would surely be travelling free in first-class for the latter part of its life. Australian scientists have just recaptured a turnstone on a beach at Flinders, Victoria, that had completed a 27,000- kilometre round-trip to its breeding grounds in Siberia, for the second consecutive year. The findings suggest that turnstones - stocky, medium-sized waders with short orange-red legs, often seen on Sydney shores in summer - fly more than 500,000 kilometres on the trans-Pacific route during their lifetime. *Age
Read more; http://www.theage.com.au/environment/animals/its-a-ruddy-long-way-to-meet-a-mate-20110207-1ak91.html
Cane Toads
It may sound counter-intuitive, but for blue tongue lizards in the Kimberley, severe bouts of food poisoning may save their lives. University of Sydney scientists are using blue tongue lizards, GPS tracking and nausea-inducing food in a bid to stop native reptiles eating poisonous cane toads. Before the lizards are released into the wild for tracking, they are taught to dislike the invasive cane toads, a process called conditioned taste aversion. Graduate student Samantha Price-Rees said 18 blue tongue lizards near Kununurra had been fed cane toad-flavoured baits laced with chemicals to induce nausea. Ms Price-Rees said laboratory tests had shown the lizards learnt to associate illness with the cane toad food after eating the bait and getting sick. "So when the lizards encounter a toad in the wild, hopefully they will avoid it," she said. University of Sydney Professor Rick Shine said research had shown blue tongue lizards and goannas were two of the most vulnerable species to cane toad invasion. At Fogg Dam, near Darwin, populations of blue tongue lizards had fallen by up to 90 per cent after the arrival of cane toads. Ms Price-Rees said scientists hoped to determine whether toad baits could be used as a large-scale method of cutting native lizard deaths. Cane toads have began inundating Kununurra and the Ord River Irrigation Area, with locals reporting hundreds of the pests in backyards and irrigation channels. *West.com.au
Cattle Back in the HIgh Country
Federal Environment MinisterTony Burke is locked in a stalemate over whether to challenge the Victorian Government's re-introduction of alpine grazing. "My department is still working with the Victorian department to determine whether or not the (alpine grazing) trial breaches federal environment law," Mr Burke said. The Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act states the Federal Government must approve any activity that has a "significant impact on a National Heritage Place". Victorian National Parks Association spokesman Phil Ingamells said he understood the Federal Government had to get the facts from the Department of Sustainability and Environment before it took action. "But I don't think DSE is providing that information," Mr Ingamells said. The grazing trial is not due to start until October. The Victorian Government however, put 400 cattle into the park last month to assess GPS tracking collars and the impact of grazing on fuel loads. * Weekly Times
WA Cockatoos Saved
More than 40 wildlife volunteers joined the Department of Environment and Conservation in an operation to save Carnaby's black cockatoos at risk from the Perth Hills fires. DEC senior wildlife officer Rick Dawson said yesterday about 130 cockatoos, some injured and others babies, at the Kaarakin Black Cockatoo Rehabilitation Centre in Martin were rounded up and put in boxes as the fire front approached. He said the birds remained in boxes overnight on Sunday but as of yesterday, fortunately, did not have to be moved. "There were about 12 DEC trucks that came from nowhere and they managed to contain that northern line," he said. "If they hadn't been there they would have been moved. It was pretty hairy." Anyone needing to report injured wildlife should call the Wildcare hotline on 9474 9055. *WANews,com.au
Ghost Nets
Meetings will be held in Darwin today to address an issue that threatens the existence of some marine species. GhostNets Australia will combine with Government representatives, marine organisations and Community Rangers to develop a strategy to combat drifting fishing nets. "Ghost nets" pose a very real threat to sea creatures as they can be difficult to see and be up to 10km long. GhostNets Australia project co-ordinator Ricki Gunn said that in the 2008 turtle nesting season, community rangers set up camp on a remote Gulf of Carpentaria beach. "In a three week period 65 turtles were found washed up in fishing net, of which 63 were rescued," she said. It's believed that over 90 per cent of the "ghost nets" in Gulf waters are not of Australia origin. The north-westerly monsoonal flow from South East Asia picks up the nets and pushes them through the Arafura Sea into the Gulf of Carpentaria. Ms Gunn said that many of the nets discovered on beaches are of the same design and material, suggesting the "same place of origin". The reasons for the large numbers of drifting nets are many and varied. Ms Gunn said they include sheer ignorance, rough weather, snags, illegal fishing and "turf wars". "Nets are being deliberately sabotaged when vessels drive over those belonging to other boats," she said. Today's meetings are an effort to draw on resources and work together to get the situation under control. *NT News
Pet Kangaroo Killed
A kangaroo's escape bid ended in tragedy when it hopped away from its owner into the path of an oncoming car, German police said. The escape caused costly damage to the car and a messy end for the marsupial. The 49-year-old owner had kept the kangaroo for many years as a house pet and had never before encountered any problems, said police in Oberfranken, southern Germany. "However, at the weekend, the kangaroo got a taste for freedom and jumped out. Despite several attempts, the owner was not able to recapture his pet," police said. The animal apparently took an extended journey around the surrounding area, because it did not meet its unfortunate fate until Monday evening, authorities said. The 30-year-old driver who collided with the roo was treated for shock. The accident caused an estimated ($1342) of damage to his vehicle. "The owner, who lived a mere 200 metres from the site of the collision, had the unfortunate task of dealing with 'his dead sweetheart'," the police announced sadly. *News.com.au
Whaling
An anti-whaling group claims Japanese whalers are catching well below their planned quota this season. Sea Shepherd Conservation Society's Paul Watson says the whalers have only caught up to 40 whales this season and are losing money. "I'd be very surprised if they've taken many whales at all," he said. "They're really under siege and they're running. I think it's going to be a financial disaster for them this year. "They're in debt now for over almost $200 million in subsidies to the government and I don't see how they can continue to carry on going down there and losing money, more every year." The comments come after the Japanese fleet and Sea Shepherd Conservation Society protesters had another violent confrontation in the Southern Ocean on Friday. Sea Shepherd says whalers were throwing bamboo spears and a whaling ship tried to ram one of the conservation group's boats. Japan's Institute of Cetacean Research did not respond to the ABC. *
Kidnapped!
Six conservation volunteers kidnapped by armed gunmen in northeastern India were working for the World Wildlife Fund for Nature, authorities said Monday. The six post-graduate students, three of them women, were seized at gunpoint Sunday in the Laopani forest in lower Assam's Kokrajhar district on the Bhutan border, police official R.N. Boro told the Press Trust of India. The kidnapping came just hours after a decision by local Bodo tribal groups to renew their campaign for a separate state, the BBC reported Monday. The students, who were installing cameras for an elephant and tiger census operation at the time. * UPI.com
Taiji Dolphins
Fishermen use tarpaulins in a bid to cover up the slaughter of dolphins - as secret filming exposes their horrific killing methods. Officials had claimed the mammals were destroyed humanely after 2009 Oscar-winning documentary The Cove told how 2,000 were killed every year in Taiji, Japan. Fishermen said that piercing the animals' spinal cord with a sharp spike killed them instantly. But video shot using cameras hidden on cliffs overlooking the waters show what really happens. Hunters are seen driving a spike into dolphins' flesh before ramming a wooden plug in the wound to stop the blood turning the sea RED. They then DROWN the animals by tying their fins and pushing them underwater. Ric O'Barry, 71, who trained TV dolphin Flipper and made The Cove, last night said: "The dolphins thrash in agony for minutes. It is beyond cruel. We knew it was a lie, but couldn't prove it until now." Activist Dieter Hagmann, who revealed the video for German conservationists Atlantic Blue, said: "The video confirms our worst fears. "The fisherman work in shielded secrecy and supposedly use a bloodless humane method of killing. The footage exposed the cruel truth." The Japanese government defends the killings for meat as traditional. *Sun
Sharks
The number of reported shark attacks last year increased worldwide but declined in Florida, according to the University of Florida's International Shark Attack File annual report released today. Ichthyologist George Burgess, director of the file housed at the Florida Museum of Natural History on the UF campus, said Florida typically has the highest number of attacks worldwide, but 2010 marked the state's fourth straight year of decline. Florida led the U.S. with 13 reported attacks, but the total was significantly lower than the yearly average of 23 over the past decade. The U.S. led the world in shark attacks — an average year by U.S. standards — followed by Australia (14), South Africa (8), Vietnam (6) and Egypt (6). The most unusual event occurred off the coast of Egypt in early December with five attacks, including one fatality. The attacks occurred within five days and four of the five were attributed to two individual sharks. * Underwater Times
Starving Kangaroos
In last weeks Wildlife Bytes we mentioned the story about starving kangaroos in WA.
http://www.inmycommunity.com.au/news-and-views/local-news/Trapped-roos-starving/7582643/
According to the WA Dept Environment and Conservation they were aware of this mob of landlocked kangaroos in 2008 and their risk of starvation after beingcut off from their main food source by development and multi lane highways. DEC passed responsibility to the developers to look after them. Not surprisingly the developers did not care for these landlocked kangaroos and have consequently starved. If you would like to make a complaint about this please contact:
RSPCA WA, Telephone:(08) 9209 9300 FAX: (08) 9248 3144, Email: rspca@rspcawa.asn.au Honourable W R Marmion BE MBA MLA, Minister for Environment; Water, Address: 77 St George's Terrace, PERTH WA 6000, Telephone: (08) 9220-5000, Fax: (08) 9220-5001 e-Mail: Minister.Marmion@dpc.wa.gov.au
And/or Write a letter to the editor to: editor.mandurahmail@ruralpress.com letters@wanews.com.au editorial@sundaytimes.newsltd.com.au
Beware of the Emu
Iron Knob ( SA ) residents have taken to hiding in the local post office in recent weeks to steer clear of male emus guarding their eggs at the football oval across the road. Donna Smith said the town - population about 150 - was looking forward to the chicks hatching in the coming months but meantime, residents with mobility scooters would continue to motor past the oval at record speed. "There is about one emu to every 15 people in the town," Mrs Smith said. "The way we're going, we might need an emu crossing for them." *Adelaide Now
Kangaroo Sticker
The RSPCA says a campervan hire company is promoting the deliberate killing of kangaroos by putting a sticker ''Kangaroo's, run the f---ers down!'' in its vans. The mock blood-splattered stickers have been placed on the dashboards of Wicked Campers' more than 1000 vans. Wicked chief executive John Webb says the stickers educate his clients, often foreign tourists, to go straight ahead when a kangaroo bounds across the road, and not to swerve and possibly roll the car.
Mr Webb, who said he was an animal lover, said clients' accidents involving kangaroos had been slashed by 90 per cent since he started introducing the stickers five years ago. The wording was a ''pisstake'' and a souvenir for tourists, although his wife has made him change the word ''f---ers'' in future to ''buggers''. 'It's a bit of fun, a bit of a laugh,'' he said. But animal activists don't see the joke. ''It's openly encouraging cruelty to protected native wildlife,'' said Australian Society for Kangaroos co-ordinator Nikki Sutterby. 'Kangaroo numbers are at critical densities … so for them to be encouraging this sort of cruelty is vile.'' She said it appeared neither a joke nor a safety message. ''My impression is that they're sending a message to actively run down kangaroos. It's not saying, 'for safety reasons, don't swerve'.''
Jaylene Musgrave from activist group Vegan Warriors called for the ''disgusting'' stickers to be removed. RSPCA inspectorate services manager Greg Boland said: ''To my mind, it actually promotes that it's acceptable to run down kangaroos and other wildlife.'' He said ''it may not be taken in the lighthearted manner it's meant to be, especially by international tourists''. Drivers deliberately running down a kangaroo could face a $28,000 fine or two years in jail under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, he said. Sergeant Michael Kayrooz from the Victoria Police driver training unit said drivers seeing a kangaroo should ''brake firmly, if you can, in a straight line, and if you can avoid the kangaroo, great.'' *Age
Flying Foxes
Flying foxes have returned to Adelaide from the eastern states in what seems to be turning into an annual pilgrimage. Professor of Urban Ecology Chris Daniels said a small colony had taken up residence this year in the Botanic Gardens. "There's only a very small number have turned up, about 30 or so," he said. At least 1,200 grey-headed flying foxes flew into Adelaide last May and moved into a pine tree at suburban Fullarton. "With the big mob last year they all went into a pencil pine which seemed to give them some protection," Professor Daniels said. "It was a lot colder, a lot later in the year, some protection against the cold." Last year the colony was moved on by people making loud noise near their roost, but experts are unwilling to see the same tried this year, as the flying foxes have brought their young with them. "This is the first time we've seen babies and that's presenting a real challenge because we also know the numbers of this species across Australia are dropping quite alarmingly," Professor Daniels said.
The grey-headed flying foxes are believed to have migrated west since numbers of black-headed flying foxes increased and forced them out of their eastern habitats. Professor Daniels said it was natural for the creatures to flee to South Australia. "These are forest-dwelling animals. [If] they have lost their forest habitat in Queensland and New South Wales then they will move around," he said. "These animals are refugees. We may have a really important conservation role to play in saving the species." *ABC
Flying foxes are causing serious health concerns on Magnetic Island in the wake of Cyclone Yasi. Picnic Bay man Julien Van der Schouw required 14 injections at the Townsville Hospital after a frightening encounter with a flying fox this week. But the Monday night attack had an incredible sequel, with a flying mammal descending on Mr Van der Schouw yesterday afternoon as he was on his way to thank those who helped him out during the first incident. Mr Van der Schouw holds grave fears for the safety of residents in the island community following an influx of the desperate creatures. Skies over the island have become littered with flying foxes left homeless after Cyclone Yasi decimated vegetation. Flying foxes have the potential to carry lyssavirus, a rabies-like virus that can be fatal to humans. They may also carry Hendra virus which, to date, has only affected humans via horses.
Mr Van der Schouw was bitten multiple times on the arm while having a quiet cider at the Picnic Bay Hotel on Monday night. He was left with 10 puncture wounds down his left arm, requiring a course of antibiotics and a continual course of injections in the coming weeks. Experts are recording a large number of flying foxes in cyclone-effected areas after strong winds washed the nectar from flowers, destroying their main source of food. Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service director of wildlife management Nick Rigby urged residents to be aware of the potential dangers. "Members of the public should not handle or approach flying foxes. Anyone who comes into contact with a flying fox should seek medical advice," he said. * Townsville Buletin
Kangaroos
Victoria's ban on processing kangaroos is robbing the state's agricultural industry of more than $13 million a year, according to the Kangaroo Industry Association of Australia. The association recently presented the Victorian Farmers Federation with a management plan to put to the State Government. It argued handing shooting rights to commercial harvesters rather than amateur shooters delivered animal welfare advantages. It also estimated more than $2 million would be created by processing kangaroos, with savings of more than $10 million in the form of less damage to farmland. Victoria's increased kangaroo numbers made headlines last week when they forced the cancellation of the Hanging Rock Australia Day races.
KIAA executive officer John Kelly said developing a management plan was the first step toward legalising commercial kangaroo harvesting in Victoria. "For Victoria to process roos, the state has to write a management plan and get it approved by the Commonwealth Government, which is a fairly significant undertaking," he said. "The state has to be convinced that it is an appropriate thing to be doing, and I would hope that the lobby from the VFF would help convince them to do so." He said any proposal could take 18 months. VFF president Andrew Broad said kangaroo processing had merit. Victoria and the Northern Territory are the only Australian states or territories that do not have a commercial kangaroo harvesting plan. *Weeklytimes
Racing at Hanging Rock is on hold until a new kangaroo management plan is put in place, as debate rages on how to stop another race event being cancelled at the reserve. East Ward councillor Joe Morabito told Leader last week he would push for shire-wide management plans on kangaroos and wombats. Cr Morabito, who is a member of the Hanging Rock Reserve Committee, said kangaroos were running amok in the Macedon Ranges. “There were many visitors at Hanging Rock on Australia Day, huge economic losses were suffered and the problem is still there,” Cr Morabito said. But he did not favour a cull of wildlife, only a proper management plan. However Macedon Ranges Wildlife Network spokeswoman Fiona Corke said management plans overseen by government bodies was code for a cull. “People go to Hanging Rock for the occasional event but it is a permanent nature reserve and link for kangaroos roaming through other parts of the Macedon Ranges.”
Kyneton and Hanging Rock Racing Club officials met Macedon Ranges Council and racing boards last week with plans to meet DSE and discuss future events. Club chief executive Mark Graham said the kangaroo management plan failed on the day. “Three times in 45 minutes a mob of kangaroos charged down from the eastern hill and three times in 45 minutes a number of kangaroos got on to the course by jumping a fence,” he said. “We plan to run the New Year’s Day picnic races next year but a better plan will be in place before it can happen.” *Macedon Leader
Leave a comment. http://macedon-ranges-leader.whereilive.com.au/news/story/have-your-say-roos-put-hanging-rock-races-off-rails/
Pet reptiles
Born Free USA, a leader in animal welfare and wildlife conservation, says that a snake bite that sent a Fair Lawn, NJ man to the hospital in critical condition on Monday, is just one of thousands of unnecessary occurrences between wild and exotic animals and humans. Every year, captive wild animals kept as private “pets,” as well as in zoos and circuses, are involved in incidents that result in human injury or death. Millions of reptiles -- snakes and lizards -- in private possession pose severe safety risks to humans, including the transmission of deadly diseases, strangulations, and bites. Snakes are the most common “pet” reptiles - about 3 percent of U.S. households possess 7.3 million pet reptiles.
According to Will Travers, Born Free CEO, “By their very nature, exotic animals are dangerous creatures. This New Jersey man kept three snakes as ‘pets,’ not only putting his own life at risk, but that of his family and community. Given the life these animals are forced to endure as pets, it is no surprise that they exhibit their natural instincts to the detriment of their owner and the public at large. These animals are time bombs waiting to explode.” Born Free USA tracks such incidents through its online database (bornfreeusa.org/reports) designed as a resource for the media, lawmakers, activists and the public, to help shed light on the magnitude of the issue.
The database lists more than 1,450 attacks and incidents reported that have occurred since 1990, searchable by state, species, and key word, and includes a map graphic marking each location -- a shocking visual to illustrate how geographically widespread the problem is. History has proven that injury or death can happen at any time, anywhere, as a result of someone keeping a wild animal as a pet, a captive animal escaping from a zoo, or an animal used for entertainment. Travers wants people to know that “Wild animals in captivity are ticking time bombs when it comes to public safety. They should not be confined. They deserve better than that.”
Born Free USA asks the public to report any incidents that may not already be in the database, by emailing details to info@bornfreeusa.org. Born Free USA is a nationally recognized leader in animal welfare and wildlife conservation. Through litigation, legislation, and public education, Born Free USA leads vital campaigns against animals in entertainment, exotic “pets”, trapping and fur, and destructive international wildlife trade. Born Free USA’s Primate Sanctuary in Texas is home to more than 500 primates rescued from laboratories, roadside zoos, and private possession. Born Free USA brings to America the message of “compassionate conservation,” the vision of the U.K.-based Born Free Foundation, established in 1984 by Bill Travers and Virginia McKenna, stars of the iconic film Born Free, along with their son Will, now CEO of both organizations. Born Free USA’s mission is to end suffering of wild animals in captivity, conserve threatened and endangered species, and encourage compassionate conservation globally. *BornFree
Cassowaries
Mission Beach's famous cassowary population will struggle in the coming weeks as fruit smashed to the ground during Cyclone Yasi begins to rot. Their habitat in the wet tropics rainforests, that hugs the Mission Beach township, has been ripped to shreds and the canopy has disappeared leaving the endangered birds exposed to the elements. Tully vet Graham Lauridsen said no doubt some would have been killed in the cyclone. "We know that some of these cassowaries would have perished, especially at this time of year when there's lots of chicks around," he told AAP. Now that the immediate threat of the cyclone has passed, possible deaths from starvation are not expected to be seen for another month or more, or when falling fruit rots away. "In a month or six weeks time is when cassowary issues are going to take off big time," Mr Lauridsen said.
The State government said wildlife officers were due to visit the ground on Monday examining the cyclone's impact on cassowary rainforest habitat. "We haven't made a clear decision about whether we will establish feeding stations again but of course it will be on the table," Queensland Environment minister Kate Jones said. Bob Irwin, father of late wildlife warrior Steve Irwin, has also launched a campaign to save the cassowaries. He said the Bob Irwin Wildlife Fund will work with community and government organisations to protect the birds. The Mission Beach cassowary population which ranges anywhere between 40 and 200 is one of the most healthy in Australia. They have become iconic for the region, and the local council even uses the name in its title, The Cassowary Coast Regional Council.
Locals are protective of the cassowaries and some are doing their bit to help. Rob Jeffrey said the birds are highly territorial and he has been feeding one of two that live on his two acre property. "I've been looking after the male but I haven't seen the female since the cyclone hit," Mr Jeffery told AAP. "I know they're resilient. They've been handling this for the last thousand years." Steph Curnuck owns the caravan park that backs on to a cassowary corridor. She said all the locals love the birds even if they are not conservationists. "I don't think I know of anyone, even if they're not part of the green scene, who wants to see harm come to them, they're such beautiful creatures," she said. Huge road signs dot the road into the town every two kilometres telling visitors to slow down and avoid collision with the large birds. Anneke Begraaf from the Save the Cassowary campaign said one of the dangers will be collisions with cars when the birds start straying to find their next feed. "People will be pre-occupied on the road trying to organise their food and water and not paying attention to cassowaries," she said. "The first priority is to get their lives sorted and after that the cassowaries will become a priority. Another issue will be heat exhaustion. The big black birds now have little canopy for shade from the tropical sun, and waterholes used to cool down will have a lot of debris." *Ch9 News
State Government Feeds Cassowaries....but not Fraser Island Dingoes
Immediate action to help rare Cassowaries recover from Cyclone Yasi A specialist Cassowary Response Team has been immediately formed to lead the recovery of this iconic bird impacted by Cyclone Yasi near Mission Beach. Climate Change and Sustainability Minister Kate Jones said an action plan had been developed, and the first priority to undertake aerial surveys was already underway. The next priority is the consideration of aerial food drops in targeted locations to supplement food sources for the birds. Finally, feeding stations are being investigated to be set up throughout the cassowary habitat to draw the birds away from local residences and roads as they search for food supplies. Ms Jones said the aerial surveys already undertaken have identified significant damage to the overstorey of the canopy around Mission Beach. "More aerial surveys are being carried out today, to fully assess the extent of the damage in crucial cassowary habitat," Ms Jones said.
"Aerial food drops are being considere d for later this week to supplement food sources where the birds' natural supplies are depleted. "Discussions with independent experts and conservation groups are also underway to consider the most appropriate locations for feeding stations, to ensure the safety of the birds. "New monitoring cameras will also be deployed to ensure we have the best possible information on the movements and welfare of the cassowaries." Ms Jones said the iconic cassowaries were hit hard during Cyclone Larry in 2006, and now this threatened species has been hit again. "While some areas are still inaccessible on the ground, it's expected that cassowary habitat further south, along the coastal range between Mission Beach and Ingham has also suffered significant damage," Ms Jones said.
"Cassowary habitat and food supplies were also impacted by Cyclone Larry and so our wildlife experts are drawing on experiences then to ensure our actions now are successful.
"It's vital that members of the public don't feed cassowaries - for their own safety and in the interests of the birds' survival long term. Cassowaries that come to expect food from humans can become aggressive and dangerous. "Our Cassowary Response Team will be actively engaged with the community, including local cassowary conservation groups and local government as they develop our full response. "We're determined to ensure we give these incredible birds and their habitat every chance of recovery." Gov. Media Release, Media Contact: 3239 0818
Comment from one of our Networks, and we agree totally.
Mission Beach has declared an emergency feeding program for the endangered Cassowary, so they don't starve.
http://news.ninemsn.com.au/national/yasi/8208093/new-team-set-up-to-help-cassowaries
What about setting up an emergency feeding program for the Fraser Island dingoes who are actually starving to death? Many have been found dead with nothing but grass and sand in their stomachs. Yet they are guarded by hired thugs to stop people from feeding them. Do we have to have another cyclone or other disaster before we see a need to stop this ongoing suffering? Those MIS-managing them thought it would be smart to feed them poison biscuits 'to deter them' from taking food from tourists. Jennifer Parkhurst was fined $40,000 and given a suspended jail term for taking pity and feeding them. The charge was "interfering with dingoes". What sort of a country makes up such a charge?
http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/fraser-island-dingo-whisperer-in-the-dock/story-e6freoof-1225947079242
An excerpt from the Australian Wildlife Protection Council's newsletter; Christmas 2010. Volume 21 Number 3:
"15 months ago, Jennifer Parkhurst, a widely respected woman and insulin-dependent diabetic, was rudely awakened at 7am by Qld Dept of Environment and Resource Management squad pounding on her door. The next 6 hours were spent in a terrified state of shock, watching her personal possessions and professional equipment being confiscated and carried off by the DERM 'goons'. She didn't realise the vindictiveness and persistence of the louts employed by the Qld Gov't to manage Fraser Island and the unfortunate, hapless dingoes. They confiscated most of her belongings, including her paintings, photographs, personal documents, even Gov't documents legally obtained under FOI. The dingo family Jennifer photographed were later killed out of sheer bloody-mindedness, although the perpetrators said they were destroyed after 'exhibiting increasingly aggressive behaviour'. [Bullies are actually cowards beneath all the posturing].
If you haven't yet had a chance to look at Jennifer Parkhurst's moving Fraser Island dingo YouTube clip, see it now.....and there's more dingo info below.......
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U_nHinnQ5eM
Cllimate Change
The Government's key climate change adviser, Ross Garnaut, says Australia needs to catch up to the rest of the world in its efforts to address climate change. In a speech to the Lowy Institute in Sydney, Professor Garnaut has given a scathing update on his 2008 climate change review. He says Australia is the worst offender in the developed world as it has the highest level of greenhouse gas emissions. "Certainly through the last 10 years, Australia's been a significant drag on the global effort. We would cease to be a drag if we came up to an average sort of effort," he said. "Stopping being a drag is a big step forward for Australia." Professor Garnaut says it is in the nation's national interest to move to a low carbon economy. He would not be drawn on what he will be recommending to the Government concerning a price on carbon or an emissions trading scheme, saying he will reveal more at his address to the National Press Club next month.
But he says that Australia's move to put a price on carbon pollution would make it easier for the US and Canada to take action too. These three countries have the highest emissions per head of population in the developed world. "We will make it easier for our friends in North America who want to do a lot, like the United States government - it wants to do a lot. It's finding the politics heavy going like we are here," Professor Garnaut said. Not only does he say Australia is an influence on the US and Canada but also on countries in the developing world. "If we don't do anything, we can be pretty sure that there's a whole lot of developing countries that would find that a good reason not to do anything," he said. But Transport Minister Anthony Albanese has hit back at claims that the Government is dragging its feet, saying it remains determined to put a price on carbon.
The Gillard Government would need the support of the Greens to introduce a carbon price and Greens deputy leader Christine Milne approves of Professor Garnaut's call to action. "I am very pleased to read Professor Garnaut's recent report. In particular he's pointing out that Australia, the US and Canada are really dragging the world back," she said. "And he has had a good look, showing that China and the EU are moving ahead very strongly and that that has big implications for compensation to trade exposed industries." She is pleased to see Government has set up the multi-party climate committee but says the Government needs to work on delivering a carbon price in Australia. "It's not a silver bullet," she said. "We also need regulatory measures. We also need other complimentary measures to bring on the renewables in the time frame we need so that we can make the transition away from fossil fuels." *ABC
Arkaroola Sanctuary
A SA State Government decision will allow a company to drill for uranium in the Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary. The Sanctuary's owner Marg Sprigg said the decision was a disaster, and South Australian Liberal Senator Nick Minchin described it as one of the most reckless decisions of the State Labor Government. A poll on the AdelaideNow website found more than 80 per cent of more than 2000 respondents opposed mining in the area, and comments published online were overwhelmingly negative. Marathon Resources' drilling rights were suspended in February 2008 after it was found to have illegally dumped exploration drilling waste, which it was later forced to clean up. The company's drilling rights were reinstated yesterday for one year from now after it agreed to new environmental conditions, and chairman Peter Williams said the company planned to start drilling as soon as possible. Mr Williams reiterated that the company's initial breach had been inadvertent and it was possible for minerals exploration and other activities to coexist. "All we're asking to do is give us the chance to demonstrate what we believe will be a highly prospective ore deposit there," Mr Williams said.
"It is very large and it will be in the national interest, in the state's interest obviously if we can pursue it." The area in question is currently covered by a Class A environmental zoning, under which mining is only allowed when there is an over-riding national or state interest. Ms Sprigg said she was shocked she was not kept aware of the process by the State Government and could not see how the company could drill for minerals without causing a lot of environmental harm. "That means opening up a heck of a lot of country, a heck of a lot of environmental damage," she said. "As far as I'm concerned the environmental damage would be huge. I find it shocking that we haven't been involved in this discussion process." Greens MLC Mark Parnell said it was an "appalling" decision. The company has strong ties to the Labor Party. Former Labor senator John Quirke is the registered lobbyist for Marathon, while another former Labor senator, Chris Schacht, is a company director. *AdelaideNow
Fraser Island Dingoes
Jaylene Musgrave was only a youngster when she was first introduced to the harsh realities of livestock slaughter. Her father was a meat inspector at the Kilcoy abattoir and although she didn’t know it at the time, her exposure to his work was to shape not only her future lifestyle choices but also her passion and career. The Coolum woman who founded the organisation Vegan Warriors is now a passionate campaigner for animal rights – from the dingoes of Fraser Island to kangaroos, wombats and battery hens Jaylene clearly remembers the turning point in her life as the day she came home to find her childhood chicken “friends” on the dining table. “I have been vegetarian since I was 13, when I first realized the connection between what I ate and the animals slaughtered in the process,” she said. “I see all animals as friends and I feel my heart’s in the right place in wanting to protect them. “I turned vegan five years ago, about the same time that I created the animal rights organisation Vegan Warriors.” Following years in the music industry, playing personal assistant and publicist to the likes of Jimmy Barnes and The Divinyls, Jaylene decided to use her publicity skills and connections to champion a cause close to her heart. “I created Vegan Warriors because I wanted to use my skills in publicity and marketing to raise awareness about animal cruelty.”
Vegan Warriors’ latest campaign is against the controversial treatment of the Fraser Island dingo population, which has garnered support from celebrities including John Butler Trio, Xavier Rudd, Oka, Vanessa Amrosi and Paul McCartney’s ex-wife, Heather Mills. Jaylene is heading a campaign petitioning the government to stop the current management plan for the animals, which she says includes hazing, shooting, baiting and starving the dingoes and their pups. “The treatment of these animals is just disgusting,” she said. “There are reports of these animals emaciated and weak. The current management plan is pushing the species to the brink of extinction.” The Fraser Island dingoes are the purest strain of dingo left in Australia, due to their geographic isolation from mainland wild dogs. Control measures were increased after a dingo attacked and killed nine-year-old visitor Clinton Gage on Fraser Island in 2001. But Jaylene believes the current management plan is inhumane and needs to be stopped or drastically modified.
She says that the State Government is more concerned about tourism dollars than the welfare of the native animals. “Fraser Island is the only World Heritage Listed Site that does not have a cap on tourism. “The Government has no respect for these animals, and insists that there is no problem with the current management plan.” Jaylene is calling for an independent agency, informed by experts in the field, to take over the management of the dingoes. She also believes that land should be purchased on the island and set aside specifically for the dingoes. “Experts have said that relocation of the animals to another part of Australia will not be successful, as it is not ideal for the animals to be separated from the pack.” In addition to the host of national and international stars that have lent their support to the cause, local celebrities have come forward to offer a hand. “The help from these celebrities has been invaluable, both in raising publicity and awareness of the issue,” she said.
The latest offering is a painting donated by Sunshine Coast artist, Leigh Hutfield, to raise funds for the cause. “Wild Beauty of Fraser Island” is being displayed at the Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital, and is on sale for $2500, with half the profits to go to the hospital. Since its launch, Vegan Warriors has been actively campaigning for the protection and better treatment of local fauna, including wombats and kangaroos, as well as focusing on factory farming. The organisation was created in response to a deficient of local animal activism. “I realised there was a real lack of an animal rights movement here on the Sunshine Coast and I decided that it was about time that somebody did something about it,” Jaylene said. Over the past five years she has assembled an army of supporters, including animal rights lawyers, solicitors, barristers, university lecturers and award-winning writers, but she extends an invitation to anyone that loves animals and wants to speak out against animal abuse to contact her and become involved. *Sunshine Coast Daily
Ed Comment; the reason the Queensland Labor Government wont change the Fraser Island dingo "management plan" is by doing so they will have to admit they got it wrong...for 20 years they have got it wrong! Back in the 90's when the "plan" was developed they didnt listen to the voices of commonsense in the community, they just went ahead with their own "experts" and did it all wrong. The Queensland Labor Government just doesnt have the capacity to admit they were wrong for 20 years and change the "plan"......simple as that.
Cyclone Impacted Wildlife
On Saturday, emergency responders from IFAW, the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW - www.ifaw.org) arrived in Cairns, Queensland to help wildlife carers still struggling from the recent floods when category five cyclone Yasi hit on Wednesday. IFAW immediately met with the local wildlife association and vets to develop a response plan for animals in the area who are suffering primarily from a loss of food sources and shelter as a result of the two disasters. "With the cumulative affects of the flood and cyclone, we are seeing a lot of need among wildlife carers in the area," said IFAW's Manager of Disaster Relief Dr. Dick Green. Initially, IFAW set up response efforts out of Cairns, which faired very well during the storm. Most debris has been cleared and power restored. The rest of the region was not so fortunate. "Mission Beach will be top priority given its accessibility and the dozen wildlife carers who need assistance to rebuild damaged facilities," added Dick Green. "IFAW will move on to areas south of Mission Beach such as Cardwell, Tully, Carmine Beach, Silkwood, Veluga when we can gain access."
In addition to Dr. Green, IFAW's team includes a wildlife vet and vet tech, who can provide immediate assistance to animals in the field and training to wildlife carers who expect an influx of animals at their facilities. One wildlife center alone had accepted 34 birds in the course of a single day. IFAW's team also will conduct an assessment of overall need. There are more than 100 wildlife care facilities in the area and it is likely that 50% or more of them have damaged structures or otherwise need assistance. With much of the natural food sources destroyed and the cost of food skyrocketing, emergency food supplies for animals will be a critical component of the response. IFAW also expects to expand sheltering facilities at centers that can receive large numbers of animals from impacted areas for up to 30 days. In the long-term, damaged structures at wildlife care facilities will need to be rebuilt and habitat restoration will be needed to bring back natural food sources for animals. "There are a lot of people doing great work for animals here," said Dr. Green. "IFAW's goal is to get the animals and the people who care for them in Queensland through this initial crisis and help them rebuild for the future." *Newswire
Tin Can Bay Marina Campaign
Wildlife campaigner Bob Irwin has stepped up his campaign against the Norman Point marina, as the deadline looms for a federal decision on the proposal. Mr Irwin, founder of Australia Zoo and father of the late Steve Irwin, says Australians have only a limited opportunity to make their feelings known before a decision is made by federal Environment Minister Tony Bourke some time after the end of the month. “The Tin Can Bay region is unique – one of the last outstanding and diverse ecosystems on the east coast of Australia,” he said yesterday. “It is home to a plethora of precious wildlife including endangered dugongs and sea turtles and rare humpback dolphins.” Mr Irwin also expressed his concern about a second marina proposal at Carlo Point. “They will severely damage the region and its critically important inhabitants. “Should development be sanctioned, it will put at risk a World Heritage listing, which is currently pending for the Cooloola region.”
Supporters said Mr Irwin is continuing his son’s legacy as the major high profile champion of conservation in the region. “I will fight as long and as hard as necessary to save this magnificent area from development. “This is no longer a local issue – this is the habitat of species that are threatened all over the world and we need to make a stand and save some critical habitat for them.” He urged Australians to take advantage of a “click and save” campaign, using internet technology to help people voice their views. “It takes three seconds to send a letter directly to Mr Bourke, asking him to reject the plans,” the supporter said. “To date, 35,000 votes have been collected online. Mr Irwin said there were now many government reports recognising that Australia’s biodiversity is declining. “The Fraser Straits Marina (at Norman Point) will bring 240 wet and 120 dry berths, while the nearby Carlo Point Marina will bring an additional 257 wet berths to these narrow waterways,” he said, adding to stress on wildlife. *Gympie Times
Fundraising for Flood Wildlife
The Australian Wildlife Protection Council Inc. is collecting funds to offer a reward for information leading to a prosecution or conviction of the person or persons responsible for running down and killing kangaroos in the grounds of Morriset Hospital, near Newcastle. All donations made in Australia are tax deductible if made out to AWPC Public Fund or just AWPC donation. Post your cheque/money order to Australian Wildlife Protection Council Inc. C/- Maryland Wilson, President, 1098 Stumpy Gully Rd Moorooduc 3933 Victoria. A tax-deductable receipt can be sent to you. OR Make a deposit straight into AWPC’s account at your local Commonwealth Bank branch: BSB 063535, Account 10090791 Please include your name and purpose as reference when making a deposit. Eg. Freda Bloggs, Morisset Reward. Also, email Maryland Wilson, kangaroo@ hotkey.net.au and leave your name and address so a receipt can be sent to you. *AWPC
Wildlife Protection Association of Australia Inc has set up a Donation Fund, where people who wish to donate to help flood-affected wildlife can do just that. Any moneys donated to this Fund will only be provided to non government funded wildlife carers groups or individuals who are actively working on helping wildlife flood victims, orphaned or injured. Funding will be provided to wildlife carers for fuel to get into the flood affected areas, and for wildlife food, over the next months. We know who these carers are, and where they are, and we'd like to help them too, so if you would like to help the wildlife flood and cylcone victims you can donate here, tax-deductible within Australia. Donate here..... http://www.kangaroo-protection-coalition.com/floodwildlife.html
QWRC has also set up a trust fund to receive donations for wildlife carers affected by floods. Donations can be made to the wildlife disaster relief fund by direct deposit to the QWRC Trust Fund account BSB 814-282 and account number 30932248 and QWRC ask that people please use their surname as a reference. They will ensure all funds are distributed where they are most needed.
A new Fundraiser which we absolutely support has just been announced. Sydney Pet Rescue & Adoption has launched the Animal Flood Victims Emergency Appeal, and together with various other rescue groups, they are working hard to raise funds to support animals affected by the recent devastating floods in Qld. The Wildlife Protection Association of Australia is one of the organisations they have chosen to support with the Appeal. We will be using the funds they raise to support foster carers in the worst affected and priority areas, with financial support to assist with the rescue and foster care of wildlife.We thank SPRA and all the rescue groups who are working hard with them, for their support. Please click on this link to find out more about the appeal: http://www.freewebs.com/sydneypetrescueandadoption/floodappealanimals.htm
The Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital at Beerwah is also fundraising to help cover the cost of treating an influx of wildlife flood victims. Go to the Hospital website to donate.
Wildlife Groups in Victoria are arranging for food for wildlife and otherwildlife carers supples to be sent to Queensland. If any wildlife carers need anything, please contact us at info@wildlifeprotectaust.org.au and we will forward your details to them.
Bob Irwin is calling on the public to give generously towards helping set up cassowary feeding stations and longer term habiat protection in Mission Beach and surrounding areas after cyclone Yasi hit this area hard last week. Donations collected from Bob Irwins website http://www.bobirwinwildlife.com Rainforest Rescue’s website http://www.rainforestrescue.org.au and Save the Cassowary website http://www.savethecassowary.org.au will be pooled together and donated to the cause. More about Cassowaries below...........
A fundraising campaign is being undertaken by Vegan Warriors urging the government to stop killing Fraser Island Dingoes has been given a huge boost thanks to a generous artist and Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital. Sunshine Coast artist Leigh Hutfield painted the stunning "Wild Beauty of Fraser Island". This beautiful piece has been donated to Vegan Warriors to raise awareness and funds for the Fraser Island Dingo Campaign. The painting is being displayed at the Austalia Zoo Wildlife Hospital and is for sale for $2,500. Half of the money from this sale will go to the Hospital to help with their thankless work saving our precious animals. Gail Gipp, General Manager from the Hospital says "The painting donated by Leigh Hutfield is a beautiful piece of art that is admired by both the staff and the patrons that visit the Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital. The painting really captures and reflects what a magnificent and beautiful species that the dingo is." Jaylene Musgrave, Founder of Vegan Warriors has had support from Heather Mills, Paul McCartney's ex wife who sent her a statement last year imploring the Qld Govt to save the world's purest strain of dingoes. Jaylene's music industry background means she has a number of rock star supporters including Xavier Rudd, John Butler Trio and Hilltop Hoods. Jaylene is urging anyone who finds the current Govt's management plan, which includes hazing, shooting, baiting and starving the dingoes and their pups, shameful, to write to Kate Jones, Environment Minister and to contact Jaylene to be a part of the campaign. *Vegan Warrior Media Release
Wildlife Smuggling
Malaysian wildlife trafficker Anson Wong received a five-year jail sentence after his bag filled with 95 live boa constrictors suddenly burst open on a luggage conveyer belt at Kuala Lumpur airport in August 2010. The spectacular incident was unlucky for Wong, one of the biggest traders in the region, but the bust might have been expected. Authorities in the South-East Asian region have increasingly been on the lookout for high-profile wildlife smugglers. Wong's sentence reflects a growing regional awareness that wildlife crime is a major problem, suggests Elizabeth John, a spokeswoman at the South-East Asian office of wildlife trade monitoring agency TRAFFIC. However, clamping down on animal smuggling remains an ongoing battle. Some argue that legalising the wildlife pet trade would solve the problem of wildlife smuggling ..... but that doesnt seem to be the case in Australia, where since legalising some species of pet wildlife in Vic, SA, WA, and to some extent in Queensland and NSW, people are regularly caught driving South from Queensland or the Northern Territory with a carload of illegally captured wildlife......
Read more about wildlife smuggling ... http://knowledge.asb.unsw.edu.au/article.cfm?articleid=1303
Birds
If migrating birds were awarded frequent-flyer points, the ruddy turnstone would surely be travelling free in first-class for the latter part of its life. Australian scientists have just recaptured a turnstone on a beach at Flinders, Victoria, that had completed a 27,000- kilometre round-trip to its breeding grounds in Siberia, for the second consecutive year. The findings suggest that turnstones - stocky, medium-sized waders with short orange-red legs, often seen on Sydney shores in summer - fly more than 500,000 kilometres on the trans-Pacific route during their lifetime. *Age
Read more; http://www.theage.com.au/environment/animals/its-a-ruddy-long-way-to-meet-a-mate-20110207-1ak91.html
Cane Toads
It may sound counter-intuitive, but for blue tongue lizards in the Kimberley, severe bouts of food poisoning may save their lives. University of Sydney scientists are using blue tongue lizards, GPS tracking and nausea-inducing food in a bid to stop native reptiles eating poisonous cane toads. Before the lizards are released into the wild for tracking, they are taught to dislike the invasive cane toads, a process called conditioned taste aversion. Graduate student Samantha Price-Rees said 18 blue tongue lizards near Kununurra had been fed cane toad-flavoured baits laced with chemicals to induce nausea. Ms Price-Rees said laboratory tests had shown the lizards learnt to associate illness with the cane toad food after eating the bait and getting sick. "So when the lizards encounter a toad in the wild, hopefully they will avoid it," she said. University of Sydney Professor Rick Shine said research had shown blue tongue lizards and goannas were two of the most vulnerable species to cane toad invasion. At Fogg Dam, near Darwin, populations of blue tongue lizards had fallen by up to 90 per cent after the arrival of cane toads. Ms Price-Rees said scientists hoped to determine whether toad baits could be used as a large-scale method of cutting native lizard deaths. Cane toads have began inundating Kununurra and the Ord River Irrigation Area, with locals reporting hundreds of the pests in backyards and irrigation channels. *West.com.au
Cattle Back in the HIgh Country
Federal Environment MinisterTony Burke is locked in a stalemate over whether to challenge the Victorian Government's re-introduction of alpine grazing. "My department is still working with the Victorian department to determine whether or not the (alpine grazing) trial breaches federal environment law," Mr Burke said. The Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act states the Federal Government must approve any activity that has a "significant impact on a National Heritage Place". Victorian National Parks Association spokesman Phil Ingamells said he understood the Federal Government had to get the facts from the Department of Sustainability and Environment before it took action. "But I don't think DSE is providing that information," Mr Ingamells said. The grazing trial is not due to start until October. The Victorian Government however, put 400 cattle into the park last month to assess GPS tracking collars and the impact of grazing on fuel loads. * Weekly Times
WA Cockatoos Saved
More than 40 wildlife volunteers joined the Department of Environment and Conservation in an operation to save Carnaby's black cockatoos at risk from the Perth Hills fires. DEC senior wildlife officer Rick Dawson said yesterday about 130 cockatoos, some injured and others babies, at the Kaarakin Black Cockatoo Rehabilitation Centre in Martin were rounded up and put in boxes as the fire front approached. He said the birds remained in boxes overnight on Sunday but as of yesterday, fortunately, did not have to be moved. "There were about 12 DEC trucks that came from nowhere and they managed to contain that northern line," he said. "If they hadn't been there they would have been moved. It was pretty hairy." Anyone needing to report injured wildlife should call the Wildcare hotline on 9474 9055. *WANews,com.au
Ghost Nets
Meetings will be held in Darwin today to address an issue that threatens the existence of some marine species. GhostNets Australia will combine with Government representatives, marine organisations and Community Rangers to develop a strategy to combat drifting fishing nets. "Ghost nets" pose a very real threat to sea creatures as they can be difficult to see and be up to 10km long. GhostNets Australia project co-ordinator Ricki Gunn said that in the 2008 turtle nesting season, community rangers set up camp on a remote Gulf of Carpentaria beach. "In a three week period 65 turtles were found washed up in fishing net, of which 63 were rescued," she said. It's believed that over 90 per cent of the "ghost nets" in Gulf waters are not of Australia origin. The north-westerly monsoonal flow from South East Asia picks up the nets and pushes them through the Arafura Sea into the Gulf of Carpentaria. Ms Gunn said that many of the nets discovered on beaches are of the same design and material, suggesting the "same place of origin". The reasons for the large numbers of drifting nets are many and varied. Ms Gunn said they include sheer ignorance, rough weather, snags, illegal fishing and "turf wars". "Nets are being deliberately sabotaged when vessels drive over those belonging to other boats," she said. Today's meetings are an effort to draw on resources and work together to get the situation under control. *NT News
Pet Kangaroo Killed
A kangaroo's escape bid ended in tragedy when it hopped away from its owner into the path of an oncoming car, German police said. The escape caused costly damage to the car and a messy end for the marsupial. The 49-year-old owner had kept the kangaroo for many years as a house pet and had never before encountered any problems, said police in Oberfranken, southern Germany. "However, at the weekend, the kangaroo got a taste for freedom and jumped out. Despite several attempts, the owner was not able to recapture his pet," police said. The animal apparently took an extended journey around the surrounding area, because it did not meet its unfortunate fate until Monday evening, authorities said. The 30-year-old driver who collided with the roo was treated for shock. The accident caused an estimated ($1342) of damage to his vehicle. "The owner, who lived a mere 200 metres from the site of the collision, had the unfortunate task of dealing with 'his dead sweetheart'," the police announced sadly. *News.com.au
Whaling
An anti-whaling group claims Japanese whalers are catching well below their planned quota this season. Sea Shepherd Conservation Society's Paul Watson says the whalers have only caught up to 40 whales this season and are losing money. "I'd be very surprised if they've taken many whales at all," he said. "They're really under siege and they're running. I think it's going to be a financial disaster for them this year. "They're in debt now for over almost $200 million in subsidies to the government and I don't see how they can continue to carry on going down there and losing money, more every year." The comments come after the Japanese fleet and Sea Shepherd Conservation Society protesters had another violent confrontation in the Southern Ocean on Friday. Sea Shepherd says whalers were throwing bamboo spears and a whaling ship tried to ram one of the conservation group's boats. Japan's Institute of Cetacean Research did not respond to the ABC. *
Kidnapped!
Six conservation volunteers kidnapped by armed gunmen in northeastern India were working for the World Wildlife Fund for Nature, authorities said Monday. The six post-graduate students, three of them women, were seized at gunpoint Sunday in the Laopani forest in lower Assam's Kokrajhar district on the Bhutan border, police official R.N. Boro told the Press Trust of India. The kidnapping came just hours after a decision by local Bodo tribal groups to renew their campaign for a separate state, the BBC reported Monday. The students, who were installing cameras for an elephant and tiger census operation at the time. * UPI.com
Taiji Dolphins
Fishermen use tarpaulins in a bid to cover up the slaughter of dolphins - as secret filming exposes their horrific killing methods. Officials had claimed the mammals were destroyed humanely after 2009 Oscar-winning documentary The Cove told how 2,000 were killed every year in Taiji, Japan. Fishermen said that piercing the animals' spinal cord with a sharp spike killed them instantly. But video shot using cameras hidden on cliffs overlooking the waters show what really happens. Hunters are seen driving a spike into dolphins' flesh before ramming a wooden plug in the wound to stop the blood turning the sea RED. They then DROWN the animals by tying their fins and pushing them underwater. Ric O'Barry, 71, who trained TV dolphin Flipper and made The Cove, last night said: "The dolphins thrash in agony for minutes. It is beyond cruel. We knew it was a lie, but couldn't prove it until now." Activist Dieter Hagmann, who revealed the video for German conservationists Atlantic Blue, said: "The video confirms our worst fears. "The fisherman work in shielded secrecy and supposedly use a bloodless humane method of killing. The footage exposed the cruel truth." The Japanese government defends the killings for meat as traditional. *Sun
Sharks
The number of reported shark attacks last year increased worldwide but declined in Florida, according to the University of Florida's International Shark Attack File annual report released today. Ichthyologist George Burgess, director of the file housed at the Florida Museum of Natural History on the UF campus, said Florida typically has the highest number of attacks worldwide, but 2010 marked the state's fourth straight year of decline. Florida led the U.S. with 13 reported attacks, but the total was significantly lower than the yearly average of 23 over the past decade. The U.S. led the world in shark attacks — an average year by U.S. standards — followed by Australia (14), South Africa (8), Vietnam (6) and Egypt (6). The most unusual event occurred off the coast of Egypt in early December with five attacks, including one fatality. The attacks occurred within five days and four of the five were attributed to two individual sharks. * Underwater Times
Starving Kangaroos
In last weeks Wildlife Bytes we mentioned the story about starving kangaroos in WA.
http://www.inmycommunity.com.au/news-and-views/local-news/Trapped-roos-starving/7582643/
According to the WA Dept Environment and Conservation they were aware of this mob of landlocked kangaroos in 2008 and their risk of starvation after beingcut off from their main food source by development and multi lane highways. DEC passed responsibility to the developers to look after them. Not surprisingly the developers did not care for these landlocked kangaroos and have consequently starved. If you would like to make a complaint about this please contact:
RSPCA WA, Telephone:(08) 9209 9300 FAX: (08) 9248 3144, Email: rspca@rspcawa.asn.au Honourable W R Marmion BE MBA MLA, Minister for Environment; Water, Address: 77 St George's Terrace, PERTH WA 6000, Telephone: (08) 9220-5000, Fax: (08) 9220-5001 e-Mail: Minister.Marmion@dpc.wa.gov.au
And/or Write a letter to the editor to: editor.mandurahmail@ruralpress.com letters@wanews.com.au editorial@sundaytimes.newsltd.com.au
Beware of the Emu
Iron Knob ( SA ) residents have taken to hiding in the local post office in recent weeks to steer clear of male emus guarding their eggs at the football oval across the road. Donna Smith said the town - population about 150 - was looking forward to the chicks hatching in the coming months but meantime, residents with mobility scooters would continue to motor past the oval at record speed. "There is about one emu to every 15 people in the town," Mrs Smith said. "The way we're going, we might need an emu crossing for them." *Adelaide Now
Kangaroo Sticker
The RSPCA says a campervan hire company is promoting the deliberate killing of kangaroos by putting a sticker ''Kangaroo's, run the f---ers down!'' in its vans. The mock blood-splattered stickers have been placed on the dashboards of Wicked Campers' more than 1000 vans. Wicked chief executive John Webb says the stickers educate his clients, often foreign tourists, to go straight ahead when a kangaroo bounds across the road, and not to swerve and possibly roll the car.
Mr Webb, who said he was an animal lover, said clients' accidents involving kangaroos had been slashed by 90 per cent since he started introducing the stickers five years ago. The wording was a ''pisstake'' and a souvenir for tourists, although his wife has made him change the word ''f---ers'' in future to ''buggers''. 'It's a bit of fun, a bit of a laugh,'' he said. But animal activists don't see the joke. ''It's openly encouraging cruelty to protected native wildlife,'' said Australian Society for Kangaroos co-ordinator Nikki Sutterby. 'Kangaroo numbers are at critical densities … so for them to be encouraging this sort of cruelty is vile.'' She said it appeared neither a joke nor a safety message. ''My impression is that they're sending a message to actively run down kangaroos. It's not saying, 'for safety reasons, don't swerve'.''
Jaylene Musgrave from activist group Vegan Warriors called for the ''disgusting'' stickers to be removed. RSPCA inspectorate services manager Greg Boland said: ''To my mind, it actually promotes that it's acceptable to run down kangaroos and other wildlife.'' He said ''it may not be taken in the lighthearted manner it's meant to be, especially by international tourists''. Drivers deliberately running down a kangaroo could face a $28,000 fine or two years in jail under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, he said. Sergeant Michael Kayrooz from the Victoria Police driver training unit said drivers seeing a kangaroo should ''brake firmly, if you can, in a straight line, and if you can avoid the kangaroo, great.'' *Age
Flying Foxes
Flying foxes have returned to Adelaide from the eastern states in what seems to be turning into an annual pilgrimage. Professor of Urban Ecology Chris Daniels said a small colony had taken up residence this year in the Botanic Gardens. "There's only a very small number have turned up, about 30 or so," he said. At least 1,200 grey-headed flying foxes flew into Adelaide last May and moved into a pine tree at suburban Fullarton. "With the big mob last year they all went into a pencil pine which seemed to give them some protection," Professor Daniels said. "It was a lot colder, a lot later in the year, some protection against the cold." Last year the colony was moved on by people making loud noise near their roost, but experts are unwilling to see the same tried this year, as the flying foxes have brought their young with them. "This is the first time we've seen babies and that's presenting a real challenge because we also know the numbers of this species across Australia are dropping quite alarmingly," Professor Daniels said.
The grey-headed flying foxes are believed to have migrated west since numbers of black-headed flying foxes increased and forced them out of their eastern habitats. Professor Daniels said it was natural for the creatures to flee to South Australia. "These are forest-dwelling animals. [If] they have lost their forest habitat in Queensland and New South Wales then they will move around," he said. "These animals are refugees. We may have a really important conservation role to play in saving the species." *ABC
Flying foxes are causing serious health concerns on Magnetic Island in the wake of Cyclone Yasi. Picnic Bay man Julien Van der Schouw required 14 injections at the Townsville Hospital after a frightening encounter with a flying fox this week. But the Monday night attack had an incredible sequel, with a flying mammal descending on Mr Van der Schouw yesterday afternoon as he was on his way to thank those who helped him out during the first incident. Mr Van der Schouw holds grave fears for the safety of residents in the island community following an influx of the desperate creatures. Skies over the island have become littered with flying foxes left homeless after Cyclone Yasi decimated vegetation. Flying foxes have the potential to carry lyssavirus, a rabies-like virus that can be fatal to humans. They may also carry Hendra virus which, to date, has only affected humans via horses.
Mr Van der Schouw was bitten multiple times on the arm while having a quiet cider at the Picnic Bay Hotel on Monday night. He was left with 10 puncture wounds down his left arm, requiring a course of antibiotics and a continual course of injections in the coming weeks. Experts are recording a large number of flying foxes in cyclone-effected areas after strong winds washed the nectar from flowers, destroying their main source of food. Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service director of wildlife management Nick Rigby urged residents to be aware of the potential dangers. "Members of the public should not handle or approach flying foxes. Anyone who comes into contact with a flying fox should seek medical advice," he said. * Townsville Buletin
Kangaroos
Victoria's ban on processing kangaroos is robbing the state's agricultural industry of more than $13 million a year, according to the Kangaroo Industry Association of Australia. The association recently presented the Victorian Farmers Federation with a management plan to put to the State Government. It argued handing shooting rights to commercial harvesters rather than amateur shooters delivered animal welfare advantages. It also estimated more than $2 million would be created by processing kangaroos, with savings of more than $10 million in the form of less damage to farmland. Victoria's increased kangaroo numbers made headlines last week when they forced the cancellation of the Hanging Rock Australia Day races.
KIAA executive officer John Kelly said developing a management plan was the first step toward legalising commercial kangaroo harvesting in Victoria. "For Victoria to process roos, the state has to write a management plan and get it approved by the Commonwealth Government, which is a fairly significant undertaking," he said. "The state has to be convinced that it is an appropriate thing to be doing, and I would hope that the lobby from the VFF would help convince them to do so." He said any proposal could take 18 months. VFF president Andrew Broad said kangaroo processing had merit. Victoria and the Northern Territory are the only Australian states or territories that do not have a commercial kangaroo harvesting plan. *Weeklytimes
Racing at Hanging Rock is on hold until a new kangaroo management plan is put in place, as debate rages on how to stop another race event being cancelled at the reserve. East Ward councillor Joe Morabito told Leader last week he would push for shire-wide management plans on kangaroos and wombats. Cr Morabito, who is a member of the Hanging Rock Reserve Committee, said kangaroos were running amok in the Macedon Ranges. “There were many visitors at Hanging Rock on Australia Day, huge economic losses were suffered and the problem is still there,” Cr Morabito said. But he did not favour a cull of wildlife, only a proper management plan. However Macedon Ranges Wildlife Network spokeswoman Fiona Corke said management plans overseen by government bodies was code for a cull. “People go to Hanging Rock for the occasional event but it is a permanent nature reserve and link for kangaroos roaming through other parts of the Macedon Ranges.”
Kyneton and Hanging Rock Racing Club officials met Macedon Ranges Council and racing boards last week with plans to meet DSE and discuss future events. Club chief executive Mark Graham said the kangaroo management plan failed on the day. “Three times in 45 minutes a mob of kangaroos charged down from the eastern hill and three times in 45 minutes a number of kangaroos got on to the course by jumping a fence,” he said. “We plan to run the New Year’s Day picnic races next year but a better plan will be in place before it can happen.” *Macedon Leader
Leave a comment. http://macedon-ranges-leader.whereilive.com.au/news/story/have-your-say-roos-put-hanging-rock-races-off-rails/
Pet reptiles
Born Free USA, a leader in animal welfare and wildlife conservation, says that a snake bite that sent a Fair Lawn, NJ man to the hospital in critical condition on Monday, is just one of thousands of unnecessary occurrences between wild and exotic animals and humans. Every year, captive wild animals kept as private “pets,” as well as in zoos and circuses, are involved in incidents that result in human injury or death. Millions of reptiles -- snakes and lizards -- in private possession pose severe safety risks to humans, including the transmission of deadly diseases, strangulations, and bites. Snakes are the most common “pet” reptiles - about 3 percent of U.S. households possess 7.3 million pet reptiles.
According to Will Travers, Born Free CEO, “By their very nature, exotic animals are dangerous creatures. This New Jersey man kept three snakes as ‘pets,’ not only putting his own life at risk, but that of his family and community. Given the life these animals are forced to endure as pets, it is no surprise that they exhibit their natural instincts to the detriment of their owner and the public at large. These animals are time bombs waiting to explode.” Born Free USA tracks such incidents through its online database (bornfreeusa.org/reports) designed as a resource for the media, lawmakers, activists and the public, to help shed light on the magnitude of the issue.
The database lists more than 1,450 attacks and incidents reported that have occurred since 1990, searchable by state, species, and key word, and includes a map graphic marking each location -- a shocking visual to illustrate how geographically widespread the problem is. History has proven that injury or death can happen at any time, anywhere, as a result of someone keeping a wild animal as a pet, a captive animal escaping from a zoo, or an animal used for entertainment. Travers wants people to know that “Wild animals in captivity are ticking time bombs when it comes to public safety. They should not be confined. They deserve better than that.”
Born Free USA asks the public to report any incidents that may not already be in the database, by emailing details to info@bornfreeusa.org. Born Free USA is a nationally recognized leader in animal welfare and wildlife conservation. Through litigation, legislation, and public education, Born Free USA leads vital campaigns against animals in entertainment, exotic “pets”, trapping and fur, and destructive international wildlife trade. Born Free USA’s Primate Sanctuary in Texas is home to more than 500 primates rescued from laboratories, roadside zoos, and private possession. Born Free USA brings to America the message of “compassionate conservation,” the vision of the U.K.-based Born Free Foundation, established in 1984 by Bill Travers and Virginia McKenna, stars of the iconic film Born Free, along with their son Will, now CEO of both organizations. Born Free USA’s mission is to end suffering of wild animals in captivity, conserve threatened and endangered species, and encourage compassionate conservation globally. *BornFree
Cassowaries
Mission Beach's famous cassowary population will struggle in the coming weeks as fruit smashed to the ground during Cyclone Yasi begins to rot. Their habitat in the wet tropics rainforests, that hugs the Mission Beach township, has been ripped to shreds and the canopy has disappeared leaving the endangered birds exposed to the elements. Tully vet Graham Lauridsen said no doubt some would have been killed in the cyclone. "We know that some of these cassowaries would have perished, especially at this time of year when there's lots of chicks around," he told AAP. Now that the immediate threat of the cyclone has passed, possible deaths from starvation are not expected to be seen for another month or more, or when falling fruit rots away. "In a month or six weeks time is when cassowary issues are going to take off big time," Mr Lauridsen said.
The State government said wildlife officers were due to visit the ground on Monday examining the cyclone's impact on cassowary rainforest habitat. "We haven't made a clear decision about whether we will establish feeding stations again but of course it will be on the table," Queensland Environment minister Kate Jones said. Bob Irwin, father of late wildlife warrior Steve Irwin, has also launched a campaign to save the cassowaries. He said the Bob Irwin Wildlife Fund will work with community and government organisations to protect the birds. The Mission Beach cassowary population which ranges anywhere between 40 and 200 is one of the most healthy in Australia. They have become iconic for the region, and the local council even uses the name in its title, The Cassowary Coast Regional Council.
Locals are protective of the cassowaries and some are doing their bit to help. Rob Jeffrey said the birds are highly territorial and he has been feeding one of two that live on his two acre property. "I've been looking after the male but I haven't seen the female since the cyclone hit," Mr Jeffery told AAP. "I know they're resilient. They've been handling this for the last thousand years." Steph Curnuck owns the caravan park that backs on to a cassowary corridor. She said all the locals love the birds even if they are not conservationists. "I don't think I know of anyone, even if they're not part of the green scene, who wants to see harm come to them, they're such beautiful creatures," she said. Huge road signs dot the road into the town every two kilometres telling visitors to slow down and avoid collision with the large birds. Anneke Begraaf from the Save the Cassowary campaign said one of the dangers will be collisions with cars when the birds start straying to find their next feed. "People will be pre-occupied on the road trying to organise their food and water and not paying attention to cassowaries," she said. "The first priority is to get their lives sorted and after that the cassowaries will become a priority. Another issue will be heat exhaustion. The big black birds now have little canopy for shade from the tropical sun, and waterholes used to cool down will have a lot of debris." *Ch9 News
State Government Feeds Cassowaries....but not Fraser Island Dingoes
Immediate action to help rare Cassowaries recover from Cyclone Yasi A specialist Cassowary Response Team has been immediately formed to lead the recovery of this iconic bird impacted by Cyclone Yasi near Mission Beach. Climate Change and Sustainability Minister Kate Jones said an action plan had been developed, and the first priority to undertake aerial surveys was already underway. The next priority is the consideration of aerial food drops in targeted locations to supplement food sources for the birds. Finally, feeding stations are being investigated to be set up throughout the cassowary habitat to draw the birds away from local residences and roads as they search for food supplies. Ms Jones said the aerial surveys already undertaken have identified significant damage to the overstorey of the canopy around Mission Beach. "More aerial surveys are being carried out today, to fully assess the extent of the damage in crucial cassowary habitat," Ms Jones said.
"Aerial food drops are being considere d for later this week to supplement food sources where the birds' natural supplies are depleted. "Discussions with independent experts and conservation groups are also underway to consider the most appropriate locations for feeding stations, to ensure the safety of the birds. "New monitoring cameras will also be deployed to ensure we have the best possible information on the movements and welfare of the cassowaries." Ms Jones said the iconic cassowaries were hit hard during Cyclone Larry in 2006, and now this threatened species has been hit again. "While some areas are still inaccessible on the ground, it's expected that cassowary habitat further south, along the coastal range between Mission Beach and Ingham has also suffered significant damage," Ms Jones said.
"Cassowary habitat and food supplies were also impacted by Cyclone Larry and so our wildlife experts are drawing on experiences then to ensure our actions now are successful.
"It's vital that members of the public don't feed cassowaries - for their own safety and in the interests of the birds' survival long term. Cassowaries that come to expect food from humans can become aggressive and dangerous. "Our Cassowary Response Team will be actively engaged with the community, including local cassowary conservation groups and local government as they develop our full response. "We're determined to ensure we give these incredible birds and their habitat every chance of recovery." Gov. Media Release, Media Contact: 3239 0818
Comment from one of our Networks, and we agree totally.
Mission Beach has declared an emergency feeding program for the endangered Cassowary, so they don't starve.
http://news.ninemsn.com.au/national/yasi/8208093/new-team-set-up-to-help-cassowaries
What about setting up an emergency feeding program for the Fraser Island dingoes who are actually starving to death? Many have been found dead with nothing but grass and sand in their stomachs. Yet they are guarded by hired thugs to stop people from feeding them. Do we have to have another cyclone or other disaster before we see a need to stop this ongoing suffering? Those MIS-managing them thought it would be smart to feed them poison biscuits 'to deter them' from taking food from tourists. Jennifer Parkhurst was fined $40,000 and given a suspended jail term for taking pity and feeding them. The charge was "interfering with dingoes". What sort of a country makes up such a charge?
http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/fraser-island-dingo-whisperer-in-the-dock/story-e6freoof-1225947079242
An excerpt from the Australian Wildlife Protection Council's newsletter; Christmas 2010. Volume 21 Number 3:
"15 months ago, Jennifer Parkhurst, a widely respected woman and insulin-dependent diabetic, was rudely awakened at 7am by Qld Dept of Environment and Resource Management squad pounding on her door. The next 6 hours were spent in a terrified state of shock, watching her personal possessions and professional equipment being confiscated and carried off by the DERM 'goons'. She didn't realise the vindictiveness and persistence of the louts employed by the Qld Gov't to manage Fraser Island and the unfortunate, hapless dingoes. They confiscated most of her belongings, including her paintings, photographs, personal documents, even Gov't documents legally obtained under FOI. The dingo family Jennifer photographed were later killed out of sheer bloody-mindedness, although the perpetrators said they were destroyed after 'exhibiting increasingly aggressive behaviour'. [Bullies are actually cowards beneath all the posturing].
If you haven't yet had a chance to look at Jennifer Parkhurst's moving Fraser Island dingo YouTube clip, see it now.....and there's more dingo info below.......
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U_nHinnQ5eM
Cllimate Change
The Government's key climate change adviser, Ross Garnaut, says Australia needs to catch up to the rest of the world in its efforts to address climate change. In a speech to the Lowy Institute in Sydney, Professor Garnaut has given a scathing update on his 2008 climate change review. He says Australia is the worst offender in the developed world as it has the highest level of greenhouse gas emissions. "Certainly through the last 10 years, Australia's been a significant drag on the global effort. We would cease to be a drag if we came up to an average sort of effort," he said. "Stopping being a drag is a big step forward for Australia." Professor Garnaut says it is in the nation's national interest to move to a low carbon economy. He would not be drawn on what he will be recommending to the Government concerning a price on carbon or an emissions trading scheme, saying he will reveal more at his address to the National Press Club next month.
But he says that Australia's move to put a price on carbon pollution would make it easier for the US and Canada to take action too. These three countries have the highest emissions per head of population in the developed world. "We will make it easier for our friends in North America who want to do a lot, like the United States government - it wants to do a lot. It's finding the politics heavy going like we are here," Professor Garnaut said. Not only does he say Australia is an influence on the US and Canada but also on countries in the developing world. "If we don't do anything, we can be pretty sure that there's a whole lot of developing countries that would find that a good reason not to do anything," he said. But Transport Minister Anthony Albanese has hit back at claims that the Government is dragging its feet, saying it remains determined to put a price on carbon.
The Gillard Government would need the support of the Greens to introduce a carbon price and Greens deputy leader Christine Milne approves of Professor Garnaut's call to action. "I am very pleased to read Professor Garnaut's recent report. In particular he's pointing out that Australia, the US and Canada are really dragging the world back," she said. "And he has had a good look, showing that China and the EU are moving ahead very strongly and that that has big implications for compensation to trade exposed industries." She is pleased to see Government has set up the multi-party climate committee but says the Government needs to work on delivering a carbon price in Australia. "It's not a silver bullet," she said. "We also need regulatory measures. We also need other complimentary measures to bring on the renewables in the time frame we need so that we can make the transition away from fossil fuels." *ABC
Arkaroola Sanctuary
A SA State Government decision will allow a company to drill for uranium in the Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary. The Sanctuary's owner Marg Sprigg said the decision was a disaster, and South Australian Liberal Senator Nick Minchin described it as one of the most reckless decisions of the State Labor Government. A poll on the AdelaideNow website found more than 80 per cent of more than 2000 respondents opposed mining in the area, and comments published online were overwhelmingly negative. Marathon Resources' drilling rights were suspended in February 2008 after it was found to have illegally dumped exploration drilling waste, which it was later forced to clean up. The company's drilling rights were reinstated yesterday for one year from now after it agreed to new environmental conditions, and chairman Peter Williams said the company planned to start drilling as soon as possible. Mr Williams reiterated that the company's initial breach had been inadvertent and it was possible for minerals exploration and other activities to coexist. "All we're asking to do is give us the chance to demonstrate what we believe will be a highly prospective ore deposit there," Mr Williams said.
"It is very large and it will be in the national interest, in the state's interest obviously if we can pursue it." The area in question is currently covered by a Class A environmental zoning, under which mining is only allowed when there is an over-riding national or state interest. Ms Sprigg said she was shocked she was not kept aware of the process by the State Government and could not see how the company could drill for minerals without causing a lot of environmental harm. "That means opening up a heck of a lot of country, a heck of a lot of environmental damage," she said. "As far as I'm concerned the environmental damage would be huge. I find it shocking that we haven't been involved in this discussion process." Greens MLC Mark Parnell said it was an "appalling" decision. The company has strong ties to the Labor Party. Former Labor senator John Quirke is the registered lobbyist for Marathon, while another former Labor senator, Chris Schacht, is a company director. *AdelaideNow
Fraser Island Dingoes
Jaylene Musgrave was only a youngster when she was first introduced to the harsh realities of livestock slaughter. Her father was a meat inspector at the Kilcoy abattoir and although she didn’t know it at the time, her exposure to his work was to shape not only her future lifestyle choices but also her passion and career. The Coolum woman who founded the organisation Vegan Warriors is now a passionate campaigner for animal rights – from the dingoes of Fraser Island to kangaroos, wombats and battery hens Jaylene clearly remembers the turning point in her life as the day she came home to find her childhood chicken “friends” on the dining table. “I have been vegetarian since I was 13, when I first realized the connection between what I ate and the animals slaughtered in the process,” she said. “I see all animals as friends and I feel my heart’s in the right place in wanting to protect them. “I turned vegan five years ago, about the same time that I created the animal rights organisation Vegan Warriors.” Following years in the music industry, playing personal assistant and publicist to the likes of Jimmy Barnes and The Divinyls, Jaylene decided to use her publicity skills and connections to champion a cause close to her heart. “I created Vegan Warriors because I wanted to use my skills in publicity and marketing to raise awareness about animal cruelty.”
Vegan Warriors’ latest campaign is against the controversial treatment of the Fraser Island dingo population, which has garnered support from celebrities including John Butler Trio, Xavier Rudd, Oka, Vanessa Amrosi and Paul McCartney’s ex-wife, Heather Mills. Jaylene is heading a campaign petitioning the government to stop the current management plan for the animals, which she says includes hazing, shooting, baiting and starving the dingoes and their pups. “The treatment of these animals is just disgusting,” she said. “There are reports of these animals emaciated and weak. The current management plan is pushing the species to the brink of extinction.” The Fraser Island dingoes are the purest strain of dingo left in Australia, due to their geographic isolation from mainland wild dogs. Control measures were increased after a dingo attacked and killed nine-year-old visitor Clinton Gage on Fraser Island in 2001. But Jaylene believes the current management plan is inhumane and needs to be stopped or drastically modified.
She says that the State Government is more concerned about tourism dollars than the welfare of the native animals. “Fraser Island is the only World Heritage Listed Site that does not have a cap on tourism. “The Government has no respect for these animals, and insists that there is no problem with the current management plan.” Jaylene is calling for an independent agency, informed by experts in the field, to take over the management of the dingoes. She also believes that land should be purchased on the island and set aside specifically for the dingoes. “Experts have said that relocation of the animals to another part of Australia will not be successful, as it is not ideal for the animals to be separated from the pack.” In addition to the host of national and international stars that have lent their support to the cause, local celebrities have come forward to offer a hand. “The help from these celebrities has been invaluable, both in raising publicity and awareness of the issue,” she said.
The latest offering is a painting donated by Sunshine Coast artist, Leigh Hutfield, to raise funds for the cause. “Wild Beauty of Fraser Island” is being displayed at the Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital, and is on sale for $2500, with half the profits to go to the hospital. Since its launch, Vegan Warriors has been actively campaigning for the protection and better treatment of local fauna, including wombats and kangaroos, as well as focusing on factory farming. The organisation was created in response to a deficient of local animal activism. “I realised there was a real lack of an animal rights movement here on the Sunshine Coast and I decided that it was about time that somebody did something about it,” Jaylene said. Over the past five years she has assembled an army of supporters, including animal rights lawyers, solicitors, barristers, university lecturers and award-winning writers, but she extends an invitation to anyone that loves animals and wants to speak out against animal abuse to contact her and become involved. *Sunshine Coast Daily
Ed Comment; the reason the Queensland Labor Government wont change the Fraser Island dingo "management plan" is by doing so they will have to admit they got it wrong...for 20 years they have got it wrong! Back in the 90's when the "plan" was developed they didnt listen to the voices of commonsense in the community, they just went ahead with their own "experts" and did it all wrong. The Queensland Labor Government just doesnt have the capacity to admit they were wrong for 20 years and change the "plan"......simple as that.
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