Wildlife Bytes 8/2/12

BRING YOUR POSTERS , HOLD UP YOUR PICTURES OF YOUR NATIVE ANIMAL ON NATIVE ANIMAL LOVERS DAY. JOIN BOB IRWIN IN BRISBANE. http://youtu.be/FYmB9JRs54w

HERE IS A LIST OF THE SPEAKERS ON THE DAY .

Alan Winstanley Earthrace, Australia director of operations, Bob Irwin (briefly then to speak last). Colin Riddell , dugong and sea turtles and M.C. Andrew Powell Shadow Minister for Environment for the LNP , Glen Elmes Past shadow environment minister. Other Speakers; Animals Australias . President Joy Verrinder, Pat OBrien . Kangaroos/wildlife, Mick Dowers. Shark finning Great Barrier Reef , Ray Revill .Queensland dingoes, Meghan Halverson . Koalas in Queensland, Louise Saunders.Flying foxes, Hammy Forrest. President sea bird rescue Queensland, Nicole Mclachlan. Sea shepherd. "In Our Hands project "and Isabel Dow, Animal Liberation Qld .Annette Guice. ALQ President, Michael Beatty QLD RSPCA .But only as support not a speaker (his request), Bob Irwin to speak last (his request) The wrong speakers corner has been quoted previously, its the same address, but 50 metres away and right across the road from the Premiers office ! Follow the Crowd!

Gympie Kangaroo Shooting

The Booral kangaroo matter --- the police officer who shot 20 kangaroos near Gympie did commit a class 2 offence under section 88 NCA 1992 and not the class 4 offence as reported in the paper -- but he hasn't been charged for the class 2 offence. A class 4 offence is just 4 penalty units via an infringement notice ( otherwise the class 4 offence is 100 ...penalty units ). The class 2 offence is 1000 penalty units ( a $100,000.00 fine ) or 1 year imprisonment -- the class 2 offence is to kill ( without a permit ) 10 or more least concern wildlife ----- this fellow is reported to have killed 20 or more least concern wildlife and should have been charged for the class 2 offence. The matter is under Inquiry, but if you haven't yet written, email addys are below. The more complaints they get, the better the outcome.

Police Commissioner,E-mail Address(es): commissioner@police.qld.gov.au Ombudsman, E-mail Address(es): ombudsman@ombudsman.qld.gov.au CMC E-mail Address(es): complaints@cmc.qld.gov.au Minister for Police, Corrective Services and Emergency Services E-mail Address(es): Police@ministerial.qld.gov.au Minister for Environment E-mail Address(es): derm@ministerial.qld.gov.au Jim Reeves (DERM Director General) E-mail Address(es): jim.reeves@derm.qld.gov.au Terry Wall (DERM Regulator) E-mail Address(es):
Terry.Wall@derm.qld.gov.au

Kangaroo Road Kills

Hyatt Regency Coolum resort has asked Sunshine Coast Regional Council for animal crossing signs and a reduced speed limit along parts of David Low Way after several of its twitchy-nosed visitors were killed by cars. At least two eastern grey kangaroos, famously welcome at the resort's golf course, have been killed within the last week. The Hyatt Regency Coolum said it had requested a 60kmh speed limit along its David Low Way frontage. The resort chain informed the Daily of its action yesterday as a Mudjimba woman shared her story of trying to rescue two adult kangaroos involved in two separate hits last week. Jaylene Musgrave said her two young nieces and her nephew were still traumatised by what occurred last Friday at dusk while driving south on David Low Way. * Sunshine Coast Daily, Read more .. http://www.sunshinecoastdaily.com.au/story/2009/07/07/coolum-hyatt-acts-kangaroo-deaths/

Rescued

"Rescued!" is an amazing book about 43 wonderful true stories about rescue and rehabilitation of native wildlife. Everyday, animals living in the wild become sick, injured or orphaned. For a variety of reasons - vehicle accidents, dog and cat attacks, posioning, habitat loss, shooting, fires and floods. Fortunately, some of these animals are given a second chance through the remarkable work of wildlife rehabilitators, an amazing group of dedicated volunteers who take needy animals into their care. They arrange for veterinary treatment, and temporarily provide a protected environment until the animal recovers and can be released back into the wild. Rescued! opens a window on the fascinating world of wildlife carers, and features dozens of wonderful true stories about care and treatment given to owls, penguins, dolphins, koalas, flying foxe, platypus, kangaroos, eagles, turtles, echidnas and many other native animals in Australia. These stories show how physically, emotionally, and financially demanding being a wildlife carer really is. They will make you laugh, make you cry, break your heart, make you angry, and help you believe in miracles again. And they may even inspire you to become a wildlife carer yourself!

Visit the "Rescued" Wildlife Rescue Stories facebook page, to view information regarding the book and write your own wildlife rescue story on the groups page, for wildlife carers to read.
http://www.facebook.com/groups/269455039792113/

Platypus

Did you know that platypus still inhabits 26 of the 31 river systems in Victoria?

Duck Shooting

Australian native waterbirds need your help – join the duck rescue team! The Victorian Baillieu government has called another recreational duck shooting season. Once again the Coalition Against Duck Shooting will patrol the wetlands to help waterbirds on the Opening weekend (March 17 & 18) and every subsequent weekend of the 3-month season.
For more information and to join the duck rescue team, please attend one of the Information Meetings to be held on the top floor of Kindness House, 288 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy at 7.30pm sharp on Wednesday 29 February, Monday 5 March or Thursday 8 March or email Lynn trakell_duck@yahoo.com.au for more information.
Please also sign the petition at: http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/ban-duck-shooting-in-victoria-australia/

Sea Lions and Penguins

Pups at Seal Bay on Kangaroo Island face a tough battle for survival, new data shows. A third of the way through the breeding season, the mortality rate is about 40 per cent. At last count, the State Government recorded 76 births and 32 deaths. Scientists are investigating causes of death because many are mysterious. They suspect infection with hook worms. Australian sea lion populations have not recovered from harvesting in the same way as New Zealand fur seals. Adult sea lions are known to become entangled in nets used to trap sharks. The Australian Fisheries Management Authority has announced an 18-month closure of gillnet fishing within a section of the Australian sea lion management zone off South Australia. Yesterday the Australian Marine Conservation Society and the Humane Society International praised the authority's response. However, concerns remain that sea lions and dolphins will continue to be drowned in this South Australian shark fishery. *SA news


A shark fishery off South Australia has become the first area to be closed under new rules aimed at protecting australian sea lions. A sea lion's death due to fishing in the zone led to the closure. The rules force closures once a trigger point is reached - in this case, only one death was needed to close Zone A, west of Fowlers Bay. The shark fishery will be closed until May next year. The rules have been introduced by the Australian Fisheries Management Authority and allow for the deaths of a maximum of 15 sea lions per year across seven fishing zones. Environmentalists lobbied for the changes because of their concern about the number of sea lions getting entangled in shark fishing nets. Alexia Wellbelove from the Humane Society International says the zone closure is a significant step. "We're pleased that there's now a process in place so that when there are animals killed that steps can be taken in the management of the fishery to make sure that the deaths are limited," she said. "One death is too many, but at least it shows that the management process is working." *ABC


Meanwhile the SA The Department of Conservation have reassured concerned beachgoers that penguins currently on the south coast of WA, are healthy despite their unusual appearance. The department has received numerous calls from members of the public reporting that the penguins appear scruffy, lethargic and unusually tame, allowing people to approach them. Warren District nature conservation co-ordinator Karlene Bain said despite their unusual appearance and behaviour the penguins were fine and merely moulting. *

Captive Whales

A US Federal judge for the first time in US history heard arguments in a case that could determine whether animals enjoy the same constitutional protection against slavery as human beings. US District Judge Jeffrey Miller called the hearing in San Diego after Sea World asked the court to dismiss a lawsuit filed by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals that names five orcas as plaintiffs in the case. PETA claims the captured killer whales are treated like slaves for being forced to live in tanks and perform daily at its parks in San Diego and Orlando, Fla.
Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/environment/animals/were-talking-about-hell-unleashed-whales-sue-sea-world-20120208-1r8p9.html#ixzz1lk1OlIqW

However, while the case would bring publicity to the issue of the rights or interests of "non-human persons", something for which some people have been arguing for a long time, if the case fails and there is then case law history against recognising those rights, that would not be helpful for the cause, the WDCS warned. In the UK, the Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society senior biologist Philippa Brakes said "I would love to be wrong, and that they find for the orcas in this case, but I doubt very much that's going to happen, and I think it's a strategic error," she said. *U/W Times

Rhinos

British zoos have been warned their rhinos may be attacked by poachers because of the soaring value of their horns in the Asian medicine market. After a rumour that it could cure cancer, the horn is now worth more than $40,000 a kilo, and gangs have been breaking into museums and auction rooms in Britain and Europe to steal trophy rhinoceros heads. The fear is zoos – and live rhinos – may be next. In an unprecedented alert, all 15 British zoos and wildlife and safari parks which hold rhinos – they have 85 animals between them – have been warned by the National Wildlife Crime Unit to tighten security and report anything suspicious to the police at once. "We have warned British zoos to be on their guard against the possibility of being targeted by criminals seeking rhino horn," said the head of the unit, Detective Inspector Brian Stuart. Concern is growing that criminals will try to break into a British zoo at night, kill or tranquillise rhinos, and cut off the horns. The potential profits might be very tempting, as a single big horn could weigh more than 5kg and be worth more than $200,000. The Independent
Read more ... http://www.independent.co.uk/environment/nature/british-zoos-put-on-alert-over-rising-threat-of-rhino-rustlers-6296572.html

Fraser Dingoes

The Fraser Island Dingo, the last remaining pure dingo on the planet, is at the brink of extinction as a result of Queensland Government mismanagement...!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4KZCL_khytI&feature=youtu.be

Birds

The critically endangered orange-bellied parrot appears to be moving closer to extinction. Researchers in Melaleuca in south-west Tasmania say the number of birds in the wild is now down to 21, including just eight females. The endangered parrot makes an annual journey to the region for the breeding season. Mark Holdsworth from the orange-bellied parrot recovery team says the drought has contributed to a steady decline in the population. The team is pinning its hopes on a captive breeding program. "You'd expect to have some bad years, unfortunately if you've got a few bad years in a row for a very small population that becomes a serious problem," he said. "We've had to take some bold steps to try and help it out." Photographer Linda Cains is one of many bird watchers who have flown to remote Melaleuca to see the parrot. "That it may be extinct in a few years is just dreadful," she said. The University of Queensland's Hugh Possingham questions whether millions of dollars in government funding should be redirected to save other species instead. "Where they (other species) were cheaper to save, we were more likely to save them and we had a better long run opportunity to save those species in the wild," he said. "One issue is can we save the orange-bellied parrot, the second issue is how do we allocate the limited funds we have across all the species in Australia or Tasmania?" *ABC


WA Museum’s ornithology curator says black cockatoos, which once flocked to the Swan Coastal Plain in tens of thousands, could be extinct within 50 years. “They are iconic large forest cockatoos that were once widespread and common in huge numbers on the Swan Coastal Plain,” Dr Ron Johnstone, who is also an Adjunct Professor at Murdoch University said. “It’s been death by a thousand cuts as the vegetation has been reduced.” He said there were three species - Carnaby’s Cockatoo (Calyptorhynchus latirostris), Baudin’s Cockatoo (Calyptorhynchus baudinii) and the Forest Red-tailed Black Cockatoo (Calyptorhynchus banksii naso) - that nested in tree hollows, and moved south and west after nesting season to feed on nuts, nectar and wood-boring grubs and insects. Prof Johnstone said nuts from the extensive pine plantations (Pinus radiata) introduced in the 1920s and 30s provided a valuable diet replacement for Carnaby’s cockatoos as developers gradually cleared Perth’s banksia heathlands for housing subdivisions. “(When) a lot of the juveniles are just fledged… these areas became a very valuable source of food (which) the birds were able to use up very quickly because the pines are producing cones during the period when they first arrive,” he said.
Prof Johnstone said the destruction of remnant bushland continues. He gave the example of UWA endowment lands in Floreat. *Sciencenetwork
Read more .. http://www.sciencewa.net.au/3786-perth-slowly-devouring-its-black-cockatoo-species.html

Possums

Soaring temperatures are taking their toll on WA's threatened western ringtail possums, which are suffering so badly in the heat they are falling out of trees. Possum protection groups said last week's intense heat caused heat exhaustion in many possums near Busselton. Possum Centre Busselton chairman Uta Wicke, who cares for 14 possums, said hotter summers, climate change and habitat loss were having a dire effect on the animals. "They get very hot and we have situations this last week, with this enormous heat, the hottest Australia Day in Busselton on record, and possums fell out of the trees because they were just so exhausted from the heat and no access to water," she said. Ms Wicke said people living south of Mandurah and north of Augusta could help by leaving water out for possums. "It would be good to leave a shallow ice-cream container, as high up in the tree as possible, so that the animals don't have to come down to the ground," she said. "Either they won't because they know predators are lurking or they will and the next cat or dog has an easy meal." Ms Wicke said the main threat to possums remained habitat loss and she was furious at a plan to cut down 238 peppermint trees for the $117 million redevelopment of Busselton hospital. The Health Department is advertising a draft environmental plan that suggests moving a core population of Busselton's western ringtail possums. Ms Wick said possums were likely to die if they were taken from their homes in healthy old peppermint trees. *TheWest.com.au

Mining Media Plan

Check out the video the mining industry never expected you to see: You simply have to see this video to believe it. This week mining billionaire Gina Rinehart became the largest shareholder in Fairfax, having already bought a stake in Channel Ten. But this new video reveals this move is bigger than one woman’s ambition – it’s part of a coordinated and very deliberate strategy, with climate skeptic ‘Lord’ Monkton seen here advising a room full of mining executives on how the industry must gain control of Australia’s media. Can you help share this video so all Australians understand what's really going on in the mining industry? Check out the video the mining industry never expected you to see:
http://www.getup.org.au/minersmediaplan You simply have to see this video to believe it. *Network Item

Kangaroo Cruelty

Animal welfare activists have called for the harshest possible penalty for a man accused of running over a kangaroo, tying it to the back of a car and dragging it through a country town.
The kangaroo was dragged for up to 2km before the carcass was dumped in Wodonga's main street. A baby joey was also injured. Yesterday, a man charged with animal cruelty over last month's incident did not appear at Wodonga Magistrates' Court. Outside, about a dozen activists urged the court to show no mercy. Australian Society for Kangaroos spokeswoman Fiona Corke said the kangaroo would have endured "immense pain and suffering". "Our wildlife deserves more respect," she said. "It was so incredibly senseless and cowardly. "A message has to be sent that this is not good enough." Persons convicted of aggravated animal cruelty can face a maximum fine of $60,000 and two years' jail. * Network Item

Crocodile Cull

Crocs are turning big bucks for Territory exporters - but wildlife warrior Terri Irwin has slammed the trade as "illegal". "The sustainable consumptive use of wildlife is the single biggest scientific lie that we have faced in modern history," she said. Fashion demand for the leather from the popular Territory reptile has more than doubled the export of protected saltwater crocodile skins to countries like Singapore, France and Italy. About 52,000 skins and skin pieces left Australian shores in 2010 as well as 2559 leather products and 95 garments, the latest data shows. Commercial buyers and collectors also grabbed 2612kg of croc meat, 100kg of oil, 82 teeth, two skulls, two trophies, one body, one egg as well as two live crocs.
The saltwater crocodile is protected and its commercial slaughter outrages wildlife advocates. Trade in threatened and endangered species is controlled by the Federal Government and requires licences and proof that animals are not being snatched from the wild. Australia is also signatory to an international convention monitoring trade around the world.

Wildlife advocates say croc skins are destined for high-end fashion houses, where the overseas elite pay thousands of dollars for authentic croc boots, bags and belts. Data shows that most of Australia's major exports are destined for commercial use. Ms Irwin described the legal trade in wildlife as a lie. "Whether you're looking at whaling, or whether you're looking at arctic fox fur or whether you're looking at snake skins or, in this case, croc skins, it is the biggest lie being perpetuated," she said. Mrs Irwin said government-sanctioned trading was responsible for the illegal market. "If we did not have a legal means for selling wildlife, there could not be an illegal trade," she said. "Not only is it encouraging (illegal trade), it is the laundering device for illegal wildlife." The World Wildlife Fund's Darren Grover agreed that creating a demand for animals products could encourage trafficking. However he said the WWF was not concerned "as long as it can be shown the trade is sustainable".


A crocodile cull could lull people into a false sense of security about safety but safari style hunting is still on the agenda the Chief Minister Paul Henderson has said. Calls for a crocodile cull in the Territory and across the top of Australia have come of the past few weeks. He said the government had double resources with 20 more traps and a new boat and a cull was something than neither federal Liberal or Labor governments had agreed to. "It is still the position of the Territory Government that we support a limited take of crocodiles for safari hunting," he said. But he said crocodile culling could lead to a false sense of security. *NT News

Wildlife Carers

Minister for Environment and Climate Change Ryan Smith said the Victorian Coalition Government has launched a new round of cash grants designed to help the state's dedicated wildlife rehabilitators cover the cost of their important work. Mr Smith said wildlife rehabilitators across Victoria can now apply for grants of up to $5,000 as part of this round of the $1.2 million Wildlife Rehabilitator Grants Program. This round is for $200,000, plus $70,000 for specific organisations. "Our wildlife rehabilitators, shelter operators and foster carers are dedicated to looking after sick or injured animals and many of them are volunteers," Mr Smith said. "This funding will help wildlife rehabilitators cover the cost of veterinary bills, feed, medicine, maintaining enclosures and even training courses.

"The grants are part of a four-year funding package through which the Coalition Government can demonstrate its support for these dedicated people and organisations by helping them cover those costs. "Without these wildlife shelter operators and wildlife foster carers some of our beloved native wildlife would be left without much needed support when they need it the most," Mr Smith said. The grants also include $70,000 in grants to support vital wildlife emergency response institutions; $27,500 to Phillip Island Nature Park, $40,000 to Zoos Victoria and $2,500 to the Dolphin Research Institute. This funding will be made available to the 380 registered wildlife shelter operators and 399 registered foster carers in Victoria. Applications for the grants should be sent to the Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE). Applications open on Monday 6 February 2012 and close on Monday 5 March 2012. * Premiers Office

Black Saturday

Yesterday (Monday) was the anniversary of Black Saturday in Victoria. Our Love and prayers go out to the survivors. For the people that would like more information about the 2009 Bush Fire in Victoria Australia. One Wildlife Sanctuary, is Wildhaven Wildlife Shelter at St Andrews, Victoria. It is run by Stella & Alan Reid. On Black Saturday our world changed forever. Wildhaven was totally destroyed - over 800 animals died at and around Wildhaven; all buildings were razed to the ground. Stella was on a fire truck putting out a fire at a neighbours home. Alan was at Wildhaven with the wildlife: animals were running from the fires and from the house as the smoke alarms screeched. As the buildings caught fire and the gas bottles vented, Alan threw open all the doors then followed the animals towards the forest. They were all running, but there was no where to go. Our world was on fire. It took us over a month to collect the bodies of our little ones from around the house, where our little friends had sheltered. There was so much death at Wildhaven our minds could not and never will comprehend that day. We lived in a fog for over a year and sometimes the fog comes back.

The Black Saturday bushfires were a series of bushfires that ignited or were burning across the Australian state of Victoria on and around Saturday, 7 February 2009. The fires occurred during extreme bushfire-weather conditions, and resulted in Australia's highest ever loss of life from a bushfire; 173 people died and 414 were injured as a result of the fires. As many as 400 individual fires were recorded on 7 February. Following the events of 7 February 2009 and its aftermath, that day has become widely referred to as Black Saturday. The fires affected 78 townships and displaced an estimated 7,562 people. Many of those displaced sought temporary accommodation, much of it donated in the form of spare rooms, caravans, tents, and beds in community relief centres. 450,000 ha (1,100,000 acres) burnt The RSPCA estimated that over a million animals perished in the bushfires. Additionally, many of the surviving wildlife suffered from severe burns. For example, large numbers of kangaroos were afflicted with burned feet due to territorial instincts that drew them back to their recently burned and smouldering home ranges. *Network Item


A court in the Victorian capital, Melbourne, has been told an endangered possum species that was devastated by the state’s Black Saturday bushfires will face more trauma if logging of its habitat goes ahead. The bushfires halved the population of Leadbeater’s possums to only 2000, a barrister for an environmental group told the Victorian Supreme Court on today. AAP newsagency says barrister Kristen Walker told the court that the 2009 fires destroyed 45 per cent of the habitat of the possum, which is Victoria’s faunal emblem. As Victorians prepare to mark the third anniversary of Black Saturday, lawyers for the group My Environment began a court battle with state-owned timber company VicForests to halt logging of the possum’s habitat in forest near Toolangi, northeast of Melbourne. The small nocturnal possum is found only in the mountain ash forests of the area. AAP says that in her opening address, Ms Walker told the court that in the areas devastated by the fires there were no possums. She said evidence would show that once a habitat was logged it took more than 100 years before it was again suitable for Leadbeater’s possums to live in. “The plaintiff’s case, Your Honour, is that logging forever changes the forest and the landscape, and that has consequences not only for the trees, but the species that depend on that landscape,” Ms Walker said. Barristers for VicForests will give their opening address when the trial before Justice Robert Osborn continues tomorrow. *AAP

Kangaroos

A local girl suffered shocking injuries in a freak attack by a kangaroo last week. Seven-year-old Regan McGovern walked into her backyard last Wednesday morning to find a kangaroo grazing. After previously patting a kangaroo at a wildlife park, she thought it would be fine to do the same in her own yard. It wasn’t. The kangaroo began to chase Regan around the yard, and after the animal caught her it knocked her to the ground and began to attack by jumping and pressing down on the young girl’s back. Upon hearing her daughter screaming, Regan’s mother Lexi Cubis raced outside and managed to pick up her daughter and ran towards the house. But the kangaroo wasn’t finished, it chased the pair and once again knocked Regan to the ground and began to attack. Two of Mrs Cubis’ friends then came to their aid and were able to distract the animal and allowed time for Mrs Cubis to get her daughter inside the house.

It bounced around the house for another 10 minutes after that,” Mrs Cubis said. “You just don’t think something like this would happen. We’ve been here four years and we’ve never had any trouble with them (kangaroos).” Mrs Cubis said there is a high population of kangaroos around their area on Black’s Rd and Rogers Rd. Regan was taken to hospital and has now returned home, but is scared to go outside. As a result of the attack, Regan suffered a black eye, scratches and bruises on her stomach and back as well as a fractured wrist. Mrs Cubis said she would like to make other parents and children aware that kangaroos can be extremely dangerous animals. “She is scared to go outside now, her sister is as well,” she said. “It frightened everyone in the house.” Glen Innes Examiner


While it may not happen as quickly as the industry hopes, there are strong signs of a resumption of the kangaroo meat trade with Russia this year, after a meeting of biosecurity officers in Berlin last month. Representatives from the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS) met with their Russian Rosselkhoznadzor counterparts as part of the International Green Week food and agriculture industry exhibition. According to a statement provided to Queensland Country Life by the Federal Department of Agriculture Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF), the Russian officials asked to inspect upgrades to Australian processing plants before any trade resumption decision was finalised. "The Russians indicated they are continuing to assess the technical submissions provided to date and would be willing to undertake a technical study visit of the Australian kangaroo meat system in 2012. The timing of this visit is to be confirmed," the statement read.

Kangaroo Industry Association of Australia president and South Australia-based Macro Meats managing director Ray Borda, who was not present at the meeting, said the industry had initially hoped the Russians would allow AQIS to approve the facility upgrades, which would have significantly sped up the approval process. However, he said there were high hopes the Russian trade would be reopened during the next 12 months. "Trade resumption will probably not be quite as quick as we initially expected, but the door is not closed and we are hopeful to see it reopen by the end of the year, with any luck. "But that will all depend on the Russians," Mr Borda said. "From all reports, the meeting went well and the Russians are set to come out to Australia and look at kangaroo premises in the second half of the year."

Mr Borda said his feedback from the meeting was that the Russians had been "highly complimentary" of the Australian certification system and said they appreciated that the industry had made a series of changes to comply with the 2009 audit. "The Russians recognise there have been a lot of changes and are happy to progress and come out here and see the changes first-hand. "We are still very hopeful, but like everyone else, we'd like it to happen yesterday. Nothing will be certain until we return to actually exporting product to Russia." DAFF said it had also provided information to the Chinese on Australian standards for producing kangaroo meat. Queensland Country Life reported last month the department was preparing a document to refute claims of anti-kangaroo meat industry activists. *Qld Country Life

Wildlife Carers

For close to 40 years, Terri Eather has been caring for injured and orphaned wildlife. This Angel of Australia is one of the most respected wildlife carers in this vast country. Spending a day with Terri at her Cornubia home gives you a fair idea of why this disability pensioner is the backbone of saving a plethora of native animal species. Little "Butterfly" is her latest joey to be in her care...yet another orphan who has lost their precious mother to an uncaring driver who didnt stop to attend to this vulnerable baby. With feeds every few hours, sleep is a luxury, but Terri would never stop being a foster mother to our furry friends as well as any sick, injured or orphaned wildlife that crosses her path. Having spent her working life as a police officer seeing the most horrific acts of human depravity and violence and where she was hurt on duty, Terri says she could handle that ... what she can't handle is the barbaric cruelty inflicted on those that cannot fight back and has seen many animals who were beyond her care because of a sickness in society today. She counts Bob Irwin as a dear friend having known him many years because of her voluntary work back in the day that saw the beginning of Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital and was there sitting quietly in the stands when the big boy in khaki was farewelled by the world...another dear friend and one she misses deeply.

With calls coming in from every corner of Australia, this Angel takes it all in her stride giving medical advice akin to something heard in an E.R. room. The main difference is there is no wage for Terri, no grants, no government funding and paying for everything out of a disability pension leaves this proud lady scraping for coins most weeks. Terri jokes, she tries to pay for things with Koala Food Gum Leaves! Her acreage in Cornubia is her sanctuary and when contacted about the hoons speeding up and down outside her home, a local Logan City Councillor wrote to residents requesting they please drive slowly and quietly in the immediate areas as stress from noise can kill wildlife. There also were two 1800 high steel signs in the ground with steel posts and unbelievably, one was stolen and police believe it would have taken the perpetrators over an hour to break the steel post so the sign could be removed. Patience is something Terri has bucketloads of as unfortunately drivers still speed and the hoons are still driving with excess noise. Some lovely neighbours do occasionaly bring her injured wildlife also. Without Terri, there would be far few koalas, roos, birds, lizards, snakes and a range of other native animals able to live another day in their natural habitat...her love is felt in the Aussie bush through and through. * Media release, Vegan Warriors

Koalas

A female koala is in intensive care at Australia Zoo's animal hospital after falling from a tree at a Brendale construction site on Monday. The joey she was carrying in her pouch did not survive the fall. The incident sparked criticism from koala rescue volunteers about the relevance $750-a-day DERM licensed koala spotters and catchers. DERM has acknowledged the incident and while no complaints have been recieved, its environment director Dr Ashley Bunce has commited to contacting council to determine if further action is necessary. An Australia zoo spokeswoman confirmed the five-year-old female koala named Troynina was admitted to the Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital after falling about 20m from a tree at Brendale. "A wildlife spotter/catcher working on a residential development land clearing site found the injured koala and transported her to the hospital for treatment," she said.

"Upon arrival, Dr Robyn Stenner assessed the koala and found she was carrying a three to four month old female koala joey in her pouch, who had sadly been killed as a result of the fall. "Troynina suffered head trauma, a fractured finger and multiple bruises. "She is currently in the Mammals ICU and expected to remain in care for the next three to four weeks if there are no further complications." The loss of the young koala's life prompted Jaylene Musgrave of the Sunshine Coast Koala Rescue Service to question the effectiveness of spotters. "Spotter/catchers are required to be on every site where (there is) bulldozing or clearing of any land," she said. "They are also required and paid to check all trees and bush for any wildlife that may being sleeping/living in any flora that is to be removed. "At Brendale the spotter catchers failed to protect the koala and her joey."

"And this is becoming common, we are constantly finding joeys dead everywhere there is clearing for development and its time the developers put their hands in their bulging pockets to help pay for them to be looked after properly both on site and by private volunteer carers who are doing incredible work with no support." Urban Development Industry Association (UDIA) environment coordinator Jasmin Lightbody said member builders paid $80 an hour for spotter/catchers during the day, $110 an hour at night or $750 for a full day of their services. Dr Ashley Bunce, DERM wildlife director said the Brendale incident was being investigated. ``For development on a site in this area, a koala spotter is required to be present,'' he said.
``Koala spotters do not need to have a permit but do need to be suitably experienced. '`Spotters cannot remove a koala it has to be able to move of its own volition. ``Koalas cannot be translocated for anything other than scientific purposes and unapproved translocation is an offence under the Nature Conservation Act 1992. Dr Bruce said DERM had not received any complaints about the incident but will contact the Moreton Bay Regional Council to determine what further action, if any, is required. Courier Mail

Another Injured Koala

Found after being hit by a car at Coomera on the Gold Coast. Transported to the Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital for specialised treatment and rehabilitation. Veterinary Assessment: Dr Bec assessed Pheno, with x-rays revealing he had suffered a fractured forearm. He is otherwise a very healthy male koala of unusually old age - he is very lucky to have lived for such a long time in the area in which he was found. Dr Bec administered Pheno pain relief and applied a cast to his forearm to help the fracture heal in place. Pheno was kept in the Mammals ICU under close observation, and has recently moved to a leafy outdoor enclosure. Pheno will remain in care for the next few months while his fracture heals, and will undergo regular physiotherapy to regain movement and climbing skills. He will then be released back into the wild. AZWH Statistic: On average, two koalas are admitted each week after being hit by a car, with 207 treated in 2011. Please slow down! *AZWH

Become a Wildlife Warrior

By making a one-off donation or joining our monthly giving program you can become part of a global wildlife force that is working hard to preserve our natural environment. Monthly Giving Program; Sign up to become a regular giver for wildlife conservation! Donations start from as little as $2.50 a week and can go to helping our native wildlife at the Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital. Nearly 100 wildlife emergency calls are received every day at the Hospital, Up to 30 different species are admitted to the hospital every day, Currently around 80 koalas undergoing treatment, Approximately 70% of patients are victims of car accidents or domestic pet attacks, The cost to treat one animal ranges from $100 to thousands of dollars To sign up or find out more please visit http://www.wildlifewarriors.org.au *