Wildlife Bytes 19/6/12

Editorial

The finding by Darwin Coroner Elizabeth Morris that a dingo killed 9-week-old Azaria Chamberlain 32 years ago will no doubt do even more to foster hatred of wildlife by some people. Noting that dingoes had attacked a number of children in the months preceding Azaria's disappearance, although not causing serious injury, Coroner Morris said there had been 239 dingo attacks since 1990 (that sounds unlikely, Ed.) and that three children had died since 2001, These included a 9-year-old boy on Queensland's Fraser Island, a 2-year-old girl who died from blood loss after being attacked by a part-dingo crossbreed, and a 22-month-old girl killed by a dingo-labrador cross in 2006. In the decade to last November the Coroner stated there had been 254 animal-related deaths, many caused by sharks, crocodiles and other reptiles, dogs, dingoes, bees and jellyfish. There appears to be no mention of wether the two dingo-cross dogs mentioned above were wild dogs or pet dogs. This report from Morris will no doubt set the wildlife and animal hateing rednecks out there calling for more "culling', and more "extermination", the last thing our wildlife needs. Currently our wildlife is under unprecedented attack from all sides. Flying foxes to be shot in Queensland, "relocated" in Sydney, the ACT kangaroo slaughter, wildlife trophy hunting back on the agenda, the commercial kangaroo kill rolls on, hunting in NSW National Parks, dugong numbers crashed, and 1080 poison aerial dropped indisciminately over many areas of Australia. Commercial fishers are viciously attacking the new Marine Reserves proposal, probably because they want to catch and sell the last fish in the sea.  Got to wonder how much wildlife will be left for the next generation to see. One very good news item is that Queensland will not attempt to follow the NT push to trophy hunt crocodiles. *WPAA

Exotic Seastars

A major diving operation is under way in the waters of Wilsons Promontory to remove one of Australia's biggest marine pests before it becomes entrenched in Tidal River and threatens other nearby waters, including Victoria's largest marine national park. Every suitable day will be used for diving in the Tidal River estuary over coming weeks in what is a race against time to detect and remove the northern Pacific seastar, which was found there for the first time last month. A range of strategies has been discussed, including searching and hand removal, ''de-watering'' the river by blocking it off on the seaward side to allow a flush of freshwater that the seastar would be unlikely to survive, and the use of a ''hyper saline solution'' which could be added to the water left remaining in isolated deeper pockets of the estuary.
Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/environment/ridding-wilsons-prom-of-the-invading-northern-pacific-seastar-one-by-one-20120611-2062q.html#ixzz1xWNCgr22

Dugong

A researcher in north Queensland says the number of dugongs on the Great Barrier Reef is at its lowest level in 20 years. Professor Helene Marsh says last year's cyclones and flooding damaged much of the dugong's habitat on the reef. She says latest observations shows the mammals have migrated north to waters off Cape York. "I think that obviously some animals died - there were record numbers of animals found dead last year, but I actually think that a lot of animals have probably left the area for greener pastures," she said. Professor Marsh says commercial development is the dugongs' greatest threat. "Habitats in a pretty bad state after the cyclones and floods last year and is threatened by port development," she said.
"The major sources of mortality are things like vessel strike and adults accidentally being caught in fishing nets." *YahooNews

Croc Shot

A monster crocodile has been shot at a remote Territory community after it took several pet dogs and came within 100m of a popular swimming spot. The 4.4m croc was captured and destroyed by Senior Sergeant Tony Deutrom at Alyangula, on Groote Eylandt, this morning.  The officer said local children like to jump from a crossroad on the Angurugu River and the 30-year-old croc was "moving up" to that area.  He said there were safety concerns surrounding the reptile coming so close to the community with its history of taking dogs.  "By what the locals are saying - it's a considerable crocodile for Groote Eylandt," he said.  "It was being more regular with attacking animals so we thought best to get rid of it." *NTNews

Trophy Hunting Back on the Agenda

Hunters wanting to put a Northern Territory crocodile head on their mantelpiece may soon be in with a chance, after the federal government agreed to rethink a ban on killing the animals.
 Northern Territory Chief Minister Paul Henderson welcomed the move by federal Environment Minister Tony Burke to let the public comment on a new plan that would allow hunters to kill a statewide total of 50 crocodiles. Mr Henderson said he was very hopeful that after the comment period ended on July 25 a two-year trial will allow 50 of the territory's crocodiles to be killed. He said the NT had been battling the federal government for many years on the issue. ''Those 50 trophies will certainly have exponential value in the international marketplace in terms of promoting tourism here in the territory,'' he said. Wildlife campaigner Bob Irwin was appalled. ''Can you imagine a boatload of tourists seeing some big white hunter shooting an animal that they came to photograph?'' Mr Irwin told ABC radio. * AAP

Species Protection Scrapped

Protections for key threatened species in areas added to Victoria's urban growth boundaries by the Baillieu government have been wound back under yet to be released biodiversity plans.
Under the revised plans — which still need approval by the Commonwealth — proposals for wildlife corridors for rare bandicoots have been scrapped and buffer zones for threatened frogs reduced. The changes follows complaints by the property industry that the original proposed protections had been too onerous. The original protection plan for the Southern Brown Bandicoot — which is listed as threatened in Victoria —would have set up corridors for the species to move between habitats in Melbourne's south-east, including the Cranbourne Royal Botanical Gardens. The state government says it will now rewrite the bandicoot protection plan by the end of the year. Proposed buffer zones around rivers and other waterways to protect the Growling Grass Frog — classified as endangered in Victoria — are also understood to have been reduced from draft proposals released last year. Victorian National Parks Association executive director Matt Ruchel said he was "deeply concerned and angry" about the dumping of the bandicoot strategy. "It is just a smokescreen to get rid of the corridors altogether," he said, "we see no justification for it," he said. In a statement the Property Council of Victoria said it would work closely with the state government and the Commonwealth to ensure that an equitable approach is reached based on good environmental and economic outcomes. *Age

Strange Animal Sighted

Could the mysterious Maggie moggie actually be an oversized possum?  Rangers have set traps on Magnetic Island to capture the creature, after at least three sightings of it since September. The animal, which has been described as dark-coloured and at least the size of a cattle dog, was last spotted by the mother of an island ranger last Monday night. Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service rangers were too busy with an island burnoff yesterday to speak to the Townsville Bulletin . However a former islander has come forward with another theory about the enigmatic animal. Cranbrook resident Matthew Krell, who lived in Nelly Bay about 30 years ago, believes the mystery big cat is actually a large possum. "It's about three to four times the size of a regular possum, and has a creamy head and black tail. "I've seen them on the roofs and stuff in Nelly Bay, where I used to live. "When you see it, you do say it looks like a cat, but it's definitely a possum." The Department of National Parks has recorded only one species of possum on Magnetic Island, the common brushtail variety. Bungalow Bay Koala Village curator Tony Gordon is certain it is a large feral cat.  "It'd be a wild cat, because there is a huge population of cats on the island," he said. Australian Big Cats website owner Mike Williams said it was highly unlikely the animal was a panther, or mountain lion or any other kind of exotic species. "You'd have all the wildlife disappearing," he said. * TownvsilleBulletin

Birds Stolen

Thieves left a trail of feathers across a car park when they stole two birds each worth $7000 from a pet store in north-west Sydney. The blue and gold macaws, Zazu and Kiaria, were taken from the Kellyville Pets store about 9.30pm yesterday. The birds can laugh - and say "hello" and "step up" - but their theft is no laughing matter. Jes Jonkmans, Kellyville Pets' marketing manager, said CCTV footage showed the silhouettes of two men entering the store's aviary and taking the young macaws. The thieves were believed to have used bolt cutters to break into the aviary, Hills News reported. "Birds are really fragile so if they are stressed or traumatised that can cause really serious health issues. Particularly the way they were taken. There was a trail of feathers through the car park so ... they would have been struggling," Ms Jonkmans said. Ms Jonkmans said the store had been burgled before and there was an online black market for exotic birds. Last year, blue and gold macaw Lotto, worth $7500, was returned to its Cessnock pet shop owners two months after it was taken. "There has been a lot of theft in this local year in recent years. Generally the birds are taken interstate and sold online," Ms Jonkmans said. "There was a couple of customers and people that we know through the store had their birds stolen just out of their backyards. They can't even have their bird out in the aviary in the backyard because people will jump the fence to steal them." The blue and gold macaws originate from Central and South America, Ms Jonkmans said. "Over and above the value of the birds, we just want to make sure that they are safe and sound. Our staff are just devastated that they are gone." *Age

Turtles

A Cairns turtle rehabilitation centre has reached capacity and is being forced to turn away starving turtles after an increase in strandings. Paul Barnes, from Cairns Turtle Rehabilitation Centre, said the centre was at capacity with a large number of adult turtles found floating in the Coral Sea. Mr Barnes said sea grass stocks were depleted and had been only gradually recovering after cyclone Yasi ripped through north Queensland. "The number of adult turtles (brought to the centre) have increased dramatically," he said.  "Last year was the largest stranding event in Queensland on record. There was a 500 per cent increase last year." But with feeding grounds slow to recover, Mr Barnes said the centre was seeing stranding numbers return to last year’s levels.  Twelve turtles are being treated at the centre with most rescued over the past three months after the nesting season.  "We have another large (turtle) coming in this afternoon. We are starting to double them up (because) we have run out of tanks," Mr Barnes said.  Christian Miller, also from the organisation, said a turtle had to be euthanased recently because of the lack of tanks. * Cairns Post  Read more  ..  http://www.cairns.com.au/article/2012/06/18/224445_local-news.html

Wildlife Carer Needs Help

Longtime SA wildlife and kangaroo carer Leisa Moore, through no fault of her own, has had her car written off in an accident. Here are Leisa Moore’s details;  if you can please send  her a small donation to help her in this terrible time of need PO Box 203 MYLOR  SA 5153   0401 900 476 if anyone can spare   $10 or $20 or $50 or $100 or even a car- as long as it runs. *  Network Item

Whaling

Three-quarters of the tons of meat from Japan's controversial whale hunt last year was not sold, despite repeated attempts to auction it, officials said on Wednesday. The Institute of Cetacean Research, a quasi-public body that organises the country's whaling, said around 75 percent of roughly 1,200 tons of minke, Bryde's and sei meat from the deep-sea mission did not find buyers. It is separate from the smaller coastal whaling programmes in northern Japan, whose meat still attracts buyers because it is fresh -- as opposed to frozen -- and sold in regions with deep whale-eating traditions. The institute held regular auctions between November and March to sell frozen meat from creatures caught in Northwestern Pacific waters last summer.  It was intended to promote whale consumption and increase revenue. A spokesman for the institute blamed the "disappointing" auction results on food sellers wishing to avoid trouble with anti-whaling activists. "We have to think about new ways to market whale meat," he told AFP. Japan exploits a loophole in the international moratorium on whaling allowing for lethal research. Anti-whaling nations and environmentalist groups routinely condemn the missions as a cover for commercial whaling that they say threatens the population of the giant marine creatures. * Read more  ...   http://view.koreaherald.com/kh/view.php?ud=20120613001390&cpv=0

ACT Kangaroo Kill

Apparently only 1154 kangaroos were killed in the 2012 ACT slaughter, according to the ACT government, but wildlife activists on the ground in the ACT claim there were a lot less kangaroos than that killed.  The ACT government claims it was wet weather that influenced the reduction in the planned 2012 kangaroos, but of course the local hero activists played big roll too, in reducing the numbers killed. Meanwhile the ACT Greens, facing an election on the 20th October, appear (on the surface anyway) to be having a rethink on their support for the kill.  They have written to the ACT Chief Minister asking a number of questions about the kill. But maybe its too late for them, we know many activists have given the Greens away in Australia because of this killing program, and the ACT Greens support for it. Many have gone to join the Animal Justice Party. Of course the answer to the ACT Greens questions will be the usual political blarney, but at least they have queried the whole disasterous operation. They havent yet opposed the killing however!  The ACT Parks and Reserves that were closed for the kill, opened on Friday night. *WPAA

More Kangaroos Shot

Two males were charged for allegedly shooting and killing kangaroos with crossbows at Tea Gardens. Police said they were called to the bushland between BP Service Station and houses at Myall Quays at about 9:30pm on Friday in relation to two males firing at kangaroos. Police said by the time they arrived the males had fled the scene and soon after were located at Hawks Nest. The car of the 19 year-old Hawks Nest male and 20 year-old Newcastle male was searched by police and a crossbow was allegedly located. Police said both the males had cut their curfew bail conditions and were arrested for doing so. They also faced numerous offences relating to possessing a prohibited weapon and cruelty to animals. Police said they are unsure how many kangaroos the males killed but at least one was found dead and more are suspected to have been injured. Both males were conveyed to Raymond Terrace Police Station where they were charged and refused bail. They attended bail court the following morning and were both released. They are set to face Raymond Terrace Court later this month. * Myall Coast News

Marine Parks

Fishermen are claiming they are the ''soft target'' in a proposed network of marine reserves they say will harm their industry while largely leaving alone the more lucrative offshore oil and gas business. Federal Environment Minister Tony Burke is expected this week to finalise the plan for the marine reserves, which will stretch around Australia and will curb commercial and recreational fishing. It will create the world's largest marine protection area with a new Coral Sea reserve extending out beyond the Great Barrier Reef. The network will also establish a large protected area off the south-west coast and patchwork reserves in the Great Australian Bight and off the west, north-west and northern coasts. *Age
Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/environment/conservation/fishermen-cry-foul-on-marine-reserve-carveup-20120611-20608.html#ixzz1xWOSBx5v

1080

The NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) and South East Livestock Health and Pest Authority (LHPA) will conduct aerial baiting for wild dog control this month in and around Kosciuszko National Park. The targeted areas are the eastern perimeter of Kosciuszko, including Adaminaby, Yaouk, Snowy Plain, Thredbo, Ingebyra, Paupong, Numbla Vale, Byadbo, Merriangaah, Quidong and Tombong. NPWS Regional Manager for the Southern Ranges Dave Darlington says Parks is committed to wild dog and fox control to protect native species and reduce stock losses on adjoining lands. "Together with the South East LHPA, we will carry out aerial baiting over more than 440 kilometres of baiting lines," Mr Darlington said. "Targeted areas have been identified by local wild dog control associations and are zones where dogs are known to have been active. "We will deploy more than 6,300 meat baits containing 1080 compound by helicopter on park and on private properties where owners have given consent. "Annual aerial baiting is just one tool in an integrated control program that NPWS employs, including ground baiting, trapping, M44 ejectors and shooting", Mr Darlington said. The aerial baiting is expected to begin on Monday, May 14, 2012, weather permitting, and continue for most of that week. *EcoVoice

AZWH Patient of the Week....Greenie the Tawny Frogmouth

Found at Meridan Plains at dusk, after being hit by a car travelling at 80km/h. Transported to the Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital for specialised treatment and care. Veterinary Assessment: Dr Bec assessed the tawny and discovered Greenie was unable to maintain any height when flying. X-rays cleared Greenie of any fractures, though there is some soft tissue trauma and signs of concussion. To ensure minimal stress, Greenie was anaesthetised during Dr Bec’s check up. She then administered Greenie some pain relief and fluids.
Future: Greenie is currently in a warm enclosure in the Birds ICU getting some much needed bed rest. Once recovered, Greenie will be released back into the wild.
AZWH Statistic: Birds are the most commonly admitted animal to the hospital, and many of them are a result of car hits. Please take caution on our roads, especially at dusk and dawn when birds are active.

Seabird Rescue

All you boaties out there - make way for our twinnies in a tinnie. They are about to launch themselves into their admirable seabird rescue work with renewed vigour thanks to a charitable grant. Twin forces for nature Paula and Bridgette Powers sat in their new Ray Scholes Quintrex 430 Escape runabout with 40hp outboard at Tewantin boat ramp last week and declared they would never have to worry about an injured pelican throwing up in someone else's vessel ever again. Thanks to a Jupiter's Gambling Community Benefit Fund grant of more than $21,000 and a generous deal from the Noosa boat dealer, the creators of Twinnies Pelican and Seabird Rescue are geared up to be an independent aquatic rescue service - as soon as they get the hang of backing the trailer of their snazzy new 4.3m "office". It's been 13 years since the two sisters, who are based at Landsborough - fittingly on Steve Irwin Way - saw a turtle in need of help. And it was from there that they were inspired to jump right into the thick of saving their beloved pelicans. "Up until now we've had to rely on the co-operation of local boaties - if a seabird needed rescuing we had to wave them down," they said. To help The Twinnies' work, visit twinniespelicanandseabirdrescue.com. Donations are always welcome.
Call 0421 476 561. *Sunshine Coast Daily

Tigers

India's tiger fatalities are rising steadily; the country has lost 48 tigers in the last 22 weeks, with Corbett National Park in Uttarakhand and the Tadoba Tiger Reserve in Maharashtra being the hardest hit by poaching. At least 19 tigers were victims of poaching. The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) confirmed that 19 of these deaths are clear-cut cases of poaching but wildlife experts claim poaching deaths could be much higher. 48 tiger deaths in 6 months compares with 56 tiger deaths reported in the whole of 2010 and 52 reported in 2011. A sharp rise in poaching has created a situation where, according to the minister in charge, "tiger reserve states are now afraid to report mortality of a tiger. But in order to ensure that all deaths do get reported, we now insist that someone from NTCA will be present for the post-mortem of a tiger." Wildlife Extra

Flying Foxes

Flying foxes driven from Sydney's Royal Botanic Gardens have spread as far as Bundaberg to the north and Pambula to the south, according to data from satellite tracking devices strapped around their necks. This month authorities started playing 30 minutes of ''industrial noise'' through loudspeakers to disperse more than 5000 grey-headed flying foxes roosting in the gardens. The garden's acting executive director, Brett Summerell, said there were now no bats roosting in the dozens of damaged trees. ''We put satellite tracking devices on 100 flying foxes and we are starting to get some of that data back,'' he said. ''What it's telling us is that they are going all over the place … It depends on where the food is, what things are flowering, what things are fruiting.'' Dr Summerell said the data showed many were now on the far south coast because there is a one-in-seven-year blooming of a huge spotted gum forest near Pambula. *Age


A brief update on what's happening with the flying-foxes in at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Sydney... Dispersal actions recommenced on last Wednesday evening after a 24-hour hiatus due to severe weather and has been ongoing morning and evening since then. The weather has remained mostly cold and wet during this time. The number of bats in the RBG has reduced rapidly and significantly. Interestingly, the PER defines a “success” as when the number of bats has been reduced by 90% for a period of longer than 5 days. Based on this criteria, we can expect that later this week the RBGT will be triumphantly claiming this dispersal as a success, and it will go down in the annals as such. The Trust will then have to institute the mysterious "passive measures" to prevent the bats returning. It would appear that the animals have gone mostly to Centennial Park, where numbers have noticeably increased, and to Parramatta Park, which has also shown an increase in numbers over the period of the dispersal. Some bats appear to have gone to Gordon. *Network Item

Hunting in National Parks

About 100 people protested outside the New South Wales Parliament as legislation to allow hunting in national parks was introduced to the Upper House. The bill was agreed to by the NSW Government recently as part of a deal struck with the Shooters and Fishers Party to sell the state's electricity generators. Shooters MP Robert Brown was heckled by the Greens as he introduced the legislation. "The threat of ferals in our national parks is great, even more so after recent floods where the populations of feral cats, foxes, pigs, wild dogs and goats has exploded," Mr Brown said. "What about horses? What about brumbies? They're full of sheep and brumbies," a Greens MP interjected. "But of course the Greens, who all but one live east of the Iron Cove Bridge, wouldn't know that would they?" Mr Brown retorted. Outside Parliament, Kevin Evans from the National Parks Association said they fear the parks and reserves initially identified for hunting will be just the tip of the iceberg. "We certainly are worried that this will expand into additional parks and also to be be free reign to hunt feral animals in national parks," he said. "This presents an enormous animal welfare concern and a safety risk to visitors and staff in our national parks." *ABC

Native Bees

The power of the prime pollinator has been revealed, with research showing native bees have determined the colour of Australian flowers - delighting scientists whose theories have been proven. Published in Proceedings of the Royal Society B, the findings by researchers from RMIT, Monash University and the Swedish Museum of Natural History show Australian flowering plants have evolved to match the colour vision capabilities of native bees over other key pollinators such as birds and butterflies. The findings mirror results from European studies and are an important proof of concept because Australian flora and fauna evolved in isolation over 34 million years. ''We now know that this is a general principle that can be applied across the world,'' said Adrian Dyer from RMIT. Lead author of the paper, Dr Dyer said the researchers were able to establish that the bee was the preferred pollinator because the flower colours which have most frequently evolved in Australia only fit to the colour discrimination of bees. They do not fit to the colour discrimination capabilities of birds or butterflies.

More than 110 different native plant species were used in the study, collected from Balwyn's Maranoa Gardens over eight months from May 2009. An ultraviolet photograph was taken of a flower from each plant and the colours analysed to see which of the pollinators could detect their colours. Australian native bees have UV, blue and green colour photoreceptors, as do their northern hemisphere honey bee relations. There are two classes of birds: one which sees UV blue, green and red and the other which sees UV violet, blue, green and red. Meanwhile, humans have blue, green and red photoreceptors. Dr Dyer said while a flower appeared yellow to the human eye, the same flower appeared pink with a red centre to bees. It would look different again to birds. ''Flowers look more dazzling to insect pollinators because they have evolved spectoral signals to best suit bees,'' Dr Dyer said. ''Bees see a two-coloured flower because the petals reflect ultraviolet and the inner part doesn't.'' Dr Dyer said the study had implications for native ecology, agriculture and economics. ''Anything that links to how plants are pollinated is big business in Australia,'' he said. *Age

Dingoes

Dr. Jane Goodall, DBE: Founder,of the Jane Goodall Institute & UN Messenger of Peace for her preservation of endangered species, has generously given her support to the Australian dingo. In a letter to the Save the Fraser Island Dingos (SFID) she writes

" I am disappointed to hear that the local Aboriginal people are not represented and that there has been no input from the settled residents of the Island who well know ‘their’ dingoes and had a peaceful co-existence with them before. I have been told that the dingoes of Fraser Island are revered by the Butchulla Aboriginal people who regard them as one of their spirit protector animals in a place they call K’Gari (meaning paradise), yet it is now a sad dark place where the dingoes struggle to coexist with the vast numbers of tourists and development."

and

"I certainly agree, whole heartedly, that there should be no further trapping for ear tagging or any other reason (save for veterinary assistance to an individual), and no culling. I would hope that all concerned would agree there should be a requirement for the most stringent commitment to the welfare of individuals in any kind of research. And I urgently beg everyone involved to ensure that all possible measures are taken to protect these dingoes so that there may be a thriving and sustainable population of the last pure breed dingoes in Australia – the last in the world."  Yours sincerely, * SFID


Dingoes are under threat in Australia, warns a wildlife expert, who says that interbreeding with feral dogs is the biggest threat. Dingoes are currently listed as a threatened species but if more isn't done they could disappear from parts of Australia, wildlife experts say. Healesville sanctuary senior dingo keeper Sue Jaensch said Tuesday's coronial ruling that a dingo was responsible for the death of Azaria Chamberlain in 1980 provided an opportunity to highlight the difficulties dingoes face in the wild. "Most of our visitors aren't aware dingoes are classified as a threatened species here in Victoria," Ms Jaensch told AAP. It was only in 2008 that the Victorian government recognised the dingo as a threatened species. Before that they were recognised as a pest, Ms Jaensch said. "Historically dingoes have been managed as pests." Ms Jaensch's concerns echo an article published in Australian Wildlife Secrets in May that warned if immediate action wasn't taken to protect the dingo it may go the way of the Tasmanian Tiger and become extinct. "In recent times (dingo) numbers have declined over large areas of its former range," the report said. When asked if the threat of extinction was real, Ms Jaensch said: "Definitely in parts of Australia." "The biggest threat to them in the wild is the interbreeding with feral dogs," Ms Jaensch said. "Sadly we have a growing population of wild dogs in Australia." Dingoes are notoriously secretive and therefore difficult to study but myths surrounding the shy canid have put its future in jeopardy. Ms Jaensch also said their reputation as an introduced species and predator contributed to their treatment in the past. However, as a top order predator, she likened their role to that of a lion in Africa or a tiger in Asia. "Dingoes are a very important part to the native environment," Ms Jaensch said. "Recent studies have shown in areas where dingoes are found they help to control numbers of foxes and feral cats and rabbits which is great for famers because that means they've got more grass."  SBS world News


Conservationists have come to the defence of dingoes, fearing the verdict in the Azaria Chamberlain case may have unfairly tarnished the animal's reputation. Coroner Elizabeth Morris handed down a verdict on Tuesday, 32 years after baby Azaria went missing, that she was killed by a dingo. The verdict cleared the names of her parents, who had been charged then exonerated over her death. Despite two inquests - the original one in 1981 and the one that concluded this week - finding a dingo was responsible, Save the Fraser Island Dingo wildlife spokesman Ray Revill said the case had portrayed the animals harshly. "Purebred dingoes, like on Fraser Island, are predictable and they're timid," he said. "There was never a problem at Fraser Island until there were too many tourists and everyone wanted to interact with dingoes." However, he admitted that cross-breeds and wild dogs such as those often found on the mainland, were a different story. "I've got five dingoes and I have full trust and faith in them - I take them out in public and have never had any problems," he said. "I wouldn't do that with a cross-breed though, they are unpredictable." Mr Revill said the problem stemmed from humans interfering with dingo territory, particularly when people fed the dingoes. His sentiments were echoed by wildlife photographer and conservationist Jennifer Parkhurst. She said dingoes should not be considered inherently dangerous, despite evidence given in the trial about Fraser Island dingo attacks including the one that killed nine-year-old Clinton Gage in 2001. Ms Parkhurst said both of the fatal attacks - Azaria Chamberlain and Clinton Gage - could be put down to a combination of factors including food and parental supervision rather than just the "nature" of dingoes. "Lethal control is another likely contributing factor, because of the social upheaval it causes among the animals." *Fraser Coast Chronicle

Cane Toads

Scientists say they have found the best weapon yet to eradicate cane toads from isolated areas - using the amphibians' own toxin against them.  Rick Shine from the University of Sydney's school of biological sciences said the system was already trapping tens of thousands of cane toad tadpoles, and could see the toads eradicated from some areas. "I think it is really exciting stuff," Professor Shine said. "In order to control toads you need to stop them breeding, and this new method stops them from breeding," he said. The technique relies on research that two years ago found that cane toad tadpoles were attracted to the eggs of their own kind. Professor Shine said the tadpoles probably sought out the eggs to kill off newly hatched tadpoles, which would otherwise compete for food. It was eventually realised that the way the tadpoles found the eggs was via the toad's venom. Once that breakthrough was made, scientists quickly realised they could use the venom as a bait, which attracts cane toad tadpoles but repels native frogs.

Using funnels to trap cane toad tadpoles attracted to the bait, the scientists captured tens of thousands of young cane toads within a few days, and completely eradicated the toads from billabongs about 50 metres in diameter. "It is only local and isn't going to eradicate cane toads from Australia," Prof Shine said. "There are huge areas where it is just impossible to put traps in every water body. But he said in high conservation areas it could dramatically reduce cane toad numbers and it was the best method so far to control cane toads in some places. Prof Shine said so-called stowaway populations of cane toads, which arrived somewhere by hitching rides on things like trucks, would be be vulnerable to the new technique. He nominated Hamilton Island, which has only recently been invaded by cane toads and an isolated population at Taren Point in Sydney, as areas the new traps could be effective. *CM

Wildlife Tourism

A major nature refuge aimed at protecting rare and endangered animal and plant species has opened at Cobbold Gorge, near Forsayth. The Cobbold Gorge Nature Refuge, covering 4720 hectares of sandstone escarpment and dry tropical savannah, is home to freshwater crocodiles, red wing parrots, azure kingfishers and the Gilbert River ghost gum. The refuge was opened by "bush tuckerman" Les Hiddins who said Cobbold Creek, which knifes through the 160 million year old Jurassic Hampstead sandstone escarpment of the eastern Gulf Country, was a haven for wildlife. He said it was reassuring to know that it was now part of the State Government's Nature Refuge Agreement. "This is a good example of how tourism and conservation can go hand in hand," he said. Acting Director General of the Department of Environment and Resource Management John Bradley said the Cobbold Gorge area formed an important corridor and "catchment linkages" for wildlife. He said it cared for several ecosystems not otherwise represented on the Queensland list of "protected real estate". 

Tourism Queensland's Destination Director Outback and Gulf Destinations Matt Bron said Cobbold Gorge was a stand-out tourist attraction. "And by continually refreshing their product they are guaranteeing return visitations and new markets," Mr Bron said. Cobbold Gorge owners and operators Simon and Gaye Terry also showcased their 20 refurbished cabins undertaken on a dollar-for-dollar funding basis under the Federal Government's T-Qual grants program Supporting Sustainable Tourism in the Gulf Savannah. Mr and Mrs Terry, who operate a working cattle station as well as the Cobbold Gorge enterprise, said it was difficult operating a busy tourism business in a geographically remote area, but that both financial and advisory assistance from the State and Federal Governments made the task a lot easier. "Because we are in a remote area our costs are so much greater. Every bag of cement or pallet of toilet paper that we bring in costs a lot because of the freight. The help we have received from the State and Federal Government in helping us revamp the units and set up the refuge has made our business so much better," Mr Terry said. *Townsville Bulletin
For more info on Wildlife Tourism go to    http://www.rootourism.com/

Trophy Hunting

Safari croc hunting will not occur in Queensland, despite the idea being trialled in the Northern Territory. Environment Minister Andrew Powell yesterday ruled out a similar hunting program, in which the well-heeled will pay about $15,000 to kill a single big bull crocodile and then about $20,000 for taxidermy. Crocodile campaigner Bob Irwin said Mr Powell had taken the right decision and that shooting 50 alpha males would probably make rivers more dangerous rather than safer for humans. "If the shooters knew anything about how nature works, they'd know the really big boys keep everything in check," he said. "You shoot out the big males and the teenagers will start running around testing their skills. "If you get young ones running riot, it's going to introduce a little more risk to everything as far as humans are concerned." The Federal Environment Department has approved a safari trial in the NT, which wants a similar scheme to that in which buffalo hunts are allowed on Aboriginal lands. A maximum of 50 crocodiles greater than 3.5m in length will be shot. Hunters argue that by placing a high value on crocodiles, shooting will help in their conservation. Federal MP Bob Katter also has called for hunting. NSW also is considering a plan to allow hunters into national parks to shoot feral animals.

"We do not and will not support safari or trophy hunting," Mr Powell said. "This is not appropriate to canvass the idea of these hunting practices being introduced in Queensland and it is not a priority of myself or the Government." Mr Irwin said he would fight trophy croc shooting as much as he could. He said shooting native wildlife did not conserve anything and it would damage Australia's clean and green tourism image. For the handful of people it might attract, potentially thousands would be turned off. Mr Irwin said he also feared that organised trophy hunting would encourage hoon shooters to try their luck on any croc they encountered. Humane Society International spokeswoman Alexia Wellbelove called on Federal Environment Minister Tony Burke to reject the NT proposal. "Hunting native animals for pleasure and to bag a trophy is a practice that sickens most people," she said. "Animal welfare rates highly as a matter of public concern." * Courier Mail

You can email Minister Tony  Burke here   Email/ write to Tony.Burke.MP@environment.gov.au