Wildlife Bytes Australia 24/9/12

Hi  Bat Friends
 
Below is a link to four different proforma letters for people to copy and paste into an email and send off to protest against bat shooting. Thank you to the people who wrote them. Please choose any one and send it in as well as ask their family and friends to do the same.  We will be repeating this process four times over the next months so in the end each person can email one of each of the letters.

http://www.batsqld.org.au/Documents/SayNoToShooting1.pdf 

http://www.batsqld.org.au/Documents/SayNoToShooting2.pdf

http://www.batsqld.org.au/Documents/SayNoToShooting3.pdf

http://www.batsqld.org.au/Documents/SayNoToShooting4.pdf

The email addresses to send them to are listed below. The first one is Andrew Powell and the cc ones are to Campbell Newman:

To:  glass.house@parliament.qld.gov.au
CC:  thepremier@premiers.qld.gov.au;   ashgrove@parliament.qld.gov.au

Don't forget the petition. We have put the link on our website to simplify the URL to allow flyers to be printed. There are already just under 3000 signature on there and we need to keep the momentum going to reach 10000. If anyone has overseas frineds or relatives these are particularly important. Please ask your members to PLEASE SIGN. The link may be found on this page http://www.batsqld.org.au

ABC Stateline are doing a segment on the reintroduction of "Shooting Bats'.  It is estimated it will either be this coming Friday at 7.30pm or the one after. Please circulate to your members and supporters. Please keep pushing the petition signature embedded link and simpler URL on http://www.batsqld.org.au and the sending in of email letters from the proforma copies already distributed. * Network Item

Fish

Authorities are investigating the deaths of thousands of catfish found floating in the Brisbane River.  Queensland's Department of Environment and Heritage Protection says several thousand dead fish were found in the river near Lowood, west of Brisbane, with some as far upstream as Lockyer Creek. Department officers are collecting water and fish samples for tests. No other fish species were found among the dead. The department said there were no reported fish deaths in other parts of the river. *CMA survey of catches at European ports has found that fishermen did not catch a single cod over the age of 13 last year.  The findings raise concerns for future stocks of cod, which become more fertile as they age. The fish can live as long as 25 years and grow to 6ft.  Researchers warned a lower life expectancy meant a lower birth rate and a faster decline.  Callum Roberts, professor of marine biology at York University, told the Sunday Times that intense industrial fishing meant that few fish survived beyond the age of four, when they reach sexual maturity.  “This means that there are fewer eggs and larvae to perpetuate future generations,” he said. *SundayTimes

Fish Farms
The failure of fish farms in the D'Entrecasteaux Channel to clean up their rubbish has angered local residents.  A team of volunteers spent last weekend collecting rubbish from beaches on the South Bruny Island, collecting more than a tonne of rubbish, mostly from the aquaculture operations not far offshore.  The 60 bags of waste collected from a 2km stretch of shoreline included lengths of plastic piping and barrels and hundreds of kilograms of rope.  Local resident Louise Crossley said it was disappointing fish farm operators did not make more of an effort to clean up their mess rather than leaving it to volunteers.  "It's just unbelievable the rubbish that is being deposited and collected on the beaches, and 90 per cent of it is rope and virtually all of it comes from the fish farms," she said.  "It's unsightly, it's environmentally harmful and it's dangerous to wildlife.  "It shouldn't be there in the first place. Why don't they pick it up themselves?"  Tasmanian Salmonid Growers Association chief executive Adam Main said operators worked hard to minimise their impacts on the environment.  "Industry conducts clean-ups of marine debris on its own and through a partnership with the Tasmanian Seafood Industry Council and local environment and community groups," Dr Main said.  "Industry is implementing waste mitigation strategies on farms in the area to reduce marine debris.  "It is important to note that the marine debris comes from a variety of sources.  "It is an issue the industry takes very seriously and we will continue to work directly with the communities in which we operate."  Neil Stump, from the Tasmanian Seafood Industry Council, said operators were happy to conduct clean-ups of any site identified by locals. *Mercury

Flying Foxes

An animal rights group has welcomed a plan to tackle a seasonal bat problem in Mount Isa in north-west Queensland. Every summer, Mount Isa's suburbs have played host to a population of up to 500,000 migrating flying foxes. The Mount Isa City Council now has a plan to move on the animals. It wants to create a bat roosting site on land on the edge of town, owned by mining company Xstrata. The president of Bat Conservation and Rescue Queensland, Louise Saunders, says that is the right strategy. "That is a really fantastic solution and it's what all of these towns that have influxes of little reds need to be doing - preserving and maintaining habitats that bats will actually go to," she said. "It's very important that people around the district know that these are sanctuaries and no-one's to take out and go off shooting because this is why they're ending up in town." She hopes other Queensland towns will follow suit. "Barcaldine for instance, they have the opportunity to put aside little pieces of land," she said. The Queensland environment department will consider the Mount Isa plan next month. *ABC

Dingoes

Wild dogs and dingoes will all but kill the lamb and wool industry in NSW within the next 30 years, a government expert has warned. But as debate rages across the country about how to tackle the growing impact of mongrel dogs, some scientists argue the part-dingoes are an essential part of a healthy ecosystem. Tony Mayo, who mans the NSW section of the dingo fence which stretches more than 5500 kilometres from Western Australia to Queensland, and his ''boundary riders'' are the only thing standing between 5000 ravenous dogs and a multibillion-dollar industry that could be devastated by attacks on stock. Originally a fencing contractor, Mr Mayo has managed the state's 600 kilometres of isolated fence for seven years, living hours from the closest town of Broken Hill. He has overseen the removal of 250 cubic metres of sand off the fence after dust storms, difficult flood repairs, and the rebuilding of long and isolated lengths of the fence when fierce winds blew them over. ''It's never the same,'' he said. ''Right now, we're struggling with rust.'' With drought-breaking rains over the past two years the dogs, he said, had gone ''berserk''. ''There are more dogs now and that's the problem because, in a few years, when it starts getting dry again, they'll start getting desperate.'' The dogs are not alone, the emus and rabbits have gone berserk, too.
Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/environment/animals/line-in-the-dirt-may-soon-be-redundant-20120922-26dm5.html#ixzz27LvCczFv


Attention all those who are interested in the welfare of the dingo on fraser island..................Members of the public will be given the chance to have their say on the Fraser Island Dingo Management Strategy. Minister for Environment and Heritage Protection Andrew Powell said numbers for the workshop were limited and urged those interested in providing input to contact the Department of Environment and Heritage Protection to register. The workshop will be held on Friday October 5th, in the Mary Room of the Maryborough Motel and Conference Centre from 8.30am to 12pm. *Network Item

Crocodiles

As rare as the gemstone it was named after, mostly pigment-free saltwater crocodile Pearl has been described as ''doubly lucky'' for having survived at all. The male leucistic crocodile was born at Crocodylus Park in Darwin in February with a birth defect that is fatal for most hatchlings. The park's chief scientist, Charlie Manolis, said the crocodile, which, unlike an albino, has some pigment, mostly visible in its black spots, was hatched with yolk hanging out of its egg. 'Normally hatchlings like that would be euthanised, as they are prone to infection,'' Mr Manolis said. 'He's doubly lucky: lucky to have this sort of rare colouration, as maybe one in 20,000 crocodiles are born with it and lucky to have survived, too. ''My staff members had noticed his colouring and one of them took him home to give him some tender loving care and kept him in a tank with all the best conditions. ''It was such a cute crocodile that the girl initially looking after it assumed it was a female and the name has stuck.'' Mr Manolis said the crocodile is still of a ''holdable'' size, at about 60 centimetres long. 'He's got quite a calm disposition and with the school holidays starting, children visiting the park will have a chance to handle him.'' *Age


There are fresh calls to cull crocodiles in Far North Queensland, after an attack yesterday afternoon. Fishermen watched as one of their dogs was snatched by a three-and-a-half metre crocodile at Deep Creek, north of Cairns, yesterday afternoon. The creek runs into Kewarra Beach, which is a popular one with dog-walkers and families. the Deep Creek is well signaged with permanent warning signs. Authorities say it's a known croc habitat so people should take precautions but recreational users say they want their beaches back. Our concern's always been that we're going to lose a child. I've seen here parents you know, paddling in the water with their children. If a crocodile can take a dog, a crocodile can certainly take a child.
The Queensland Government recently began working with several local councils on new crocodile management plan that mirrors the Northern Territory's approach and Mike Devery says their responses are due in the next fortnight. One is an exclusion zone where basically crocodiles are prevented from getting into them, so it's safe to swim and of course they'll obviously need to be carefully considered. The other zone is zero tolerance, for example around certain infrastructure like boat ramps and marinas where the presence of crocodiles won't be tolerated. * Courier Mail


Meanwhile the crocodile has been found beheaded, and if the offenders are found they can be fined $24,000. Some elements in the tourism Industry are calling for culling and/or removal, but the reality is that even if that was allowed, there will always be another crocodile around. Why would anyone be stupid enough to swim in crocodile country anyway?


NT Police are investigating the commercial fishermen who were filmed shooting dead a crocodile caught in their nets in the Top End. The Parks and Wildlife commission referred the matter to police after the shocking footage posted on Youtube was revealed by the NT News yesterday. Businesses face up to $352,500 in fines for the illegal practice while individuals could pay up to $70,500 under the NT Wildlife Act.  Readers were outraged and upset by the video both on the NT News website and Facebook page. *NTNews

Platypus

Wildlife authorities will try to find and monitor the health of a platypus reportedly spotted at an industrial site along the River Derwent in Hobart. It is highly unusual for the shy freshwater mammals to frolic in the river, but shark fisherman Tim Green says he spotted the platypus at the Domain Slipyard early yesterday morning. He said it lingered for about five minutes, allowing him time to grab his iPhone and get a photo before it swam away. "He popped his head up and I pointed him out to the other guys and said 'is that a platypus?' We couldn't believe it." "He ducked down then popped right back up again over near the shore. The thing about him was he didn't seem scared at all he seemed interested in me; he definitely knew I was there." Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment principal wildlife management officer, Greg Hocking, said seeing platypuses in salty water was not unheard of. "It is unusual to hear of a sighting like this, especially in such a busy area, but there are several freshwater rivulets nearby which it probably was flushed down from," Mr Hocking said. He said the department would be investigating the site. "We want to ensure the safe welfare of the animal and how it fares from now on," he said. Slipyards supervisor Mick Garland has worked at the premises for nearly three years and said he had never heard of a platypus sighting there before. "We all jumped to have a look at him," Mr Garland said. "We make sure we keep the water around here clean and at the moment the water is brackish there seems to be a layer of fresh water on top of the salt." Any unusual sightings or concerns for the welfare of an animal should be reported to DIPIPWE by calling 6233 2520. *Mercury

Nesski

Russian academics are calling for a scientific probe into claims of a 'Siberian Loch Ness monster' in one of the world's remotest lakes.  Researchers using underwater scanners have found evidence of 'Nesski' - measuring up to 33 feet in length - in the deep waters of Lake Labynkyr, says a new report. Intriguingly, the evidence is at a lake where native Evenk and Yakut people have long claimed an underwater creature lurks. The evidence includes a picture which, it is claimed, shows the monster, saysthe Siberian Times. Known as ‘the Devil', testimony dating back to the 19th century says the monster has enormous jaws. Associate Professor Lyudmila Emeliyanova, of Moscow State University, told The Siberian Times that on her own scientific mission to Labynkyr she recorded ‘several seriously big underwater objects’ with sonar readings.  Images have also recently emerged from a 2006 scientific trip to the lake when strange objects - one of 21ft 4in (6.5 metres) in length - were recorded on a Humminbird Piranha MAX 215 Portable fish-finder at a depth of 138 to 197 feet. A 1953 sighting of a 'monster' in neighbouring Lake Vorota by respected Soviet geologist Viktor Tverdokhlebov was initially covered up by the Soviet authorities.  But now Dr Emeliyanova wants to investigate a theory that the two lakes are linked by underground tunnels.  Strangely, despite being close to Oymyakon, the coldest inhabited town on Earth, the lake does not freeze completely in winter.  * DailyMail
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2205595/Siberian-Loch-Ness-monster-pictures.html#ixzz27K3QIhpA

Mammal Decline

Conservationists and animal experts have gathered at Port Augusta for the 58th scientific meeting of the Australian Mammal Society. The program includes international speakers and the conference has drawn more than 100 delegates from across Australia. An organiser, Dr David Taggart from the University of Adelaide, said declining mammal numbers in Australia's north would be among the issues discussed. "In the last few years the mammal fauna of northern Australia is now going through a similar fate [to southern regions] with many species declining in numbers and distribution, species that were once common becoming endangered and we're trying to get a handle on what some of the factors are that are causing those species declines," he said. On habitat protection, he said a "whole of landscape" approach was now widely seen as the best way to protect regional biodiversity. "It's quite clear now that some of the micromanagement methods that have been used in the past in terms of trying to conserve some of our precious landscapes and the species they sustain aren't working," he said. "We need to really re-think how best to conserve our biodiversity in this country."  *ABC

Dingoes

Here is an online Petition to protect dingoes ... 
http://www.petitiononlineaustralia.com/petition/protect-australias-native-dingo-remove-it-from-vermin-lists-include-it-in-the-national-epbc-act/77

Sharks

Rare sharks are being sold at Deira fish market so their fins can be hacked off to make soup. Peter Jaworski, a vet in Dubai, counted 140 sharks during a single visit to the market. They included smooth hammerheads, bigeye threshers, common threshers and a mako, all of which the International Union for Conservation of Nature lists as threatened. There were also common blacktips, hardnose sharks and a spinner shark, which are classed as near-threatened. Dried fins on sale at the market included one from a whale shark. Trading in products from this species is banned by an international treaty. “The most tragic was the thresher,” said Dr Jaworski, who is involved in a shark-research project. “This is very rare, usually it’s not even seen by divers because it’s a deep-sea species.” *Read more  ..  http://www.thenational.ae/news/uae-news/dozens-of-rare-sharks-being-sold-for-fin-soup-in-dubai-market


Measures to protect the critically endangered grey nurse shark have been announced by the NSW government. Minister for Primary Industries Katrina Hodgkinson introduced regulations that include banning baited hook fishing in key breeding areas for the species along the NSW coastline. "Our overall goal is to protect the grey nurse shark," she told reporters at Manly Sea Life Sanctuary today. "They are the puppies of the ocean - they're not Jaws. "They are very gentle creatures but we're down to the last 1500 or so." Bait fishing presents the biggest risk for grey nurse sharks, the minister said. Recreational fishers will still be able to use other methods such as spinning, jigging and hand gathering. The moves "strike a balanced approach" to protect the sharks while allowing fishing and scuba diving to take place, Ms Hodgkinson said. "Because the population is so low, before protection they're on a pathway to extinction," said Dr Geoff Allan, executive director of Fisheries NSW. Critical habitat scuba diving regulations are being replaced by a code of conduct as part of the protection moves, developed over the past 14 months. Other changes include delisting the Bass Point critical habitat site in Shellharbour and protecting a site near Mermaid Reef, off Crowdy Head. An educational campaign will promote the rules and there will be a 12-month compliance advisory period while they are phased in. Responding to the new measures today, Greens MP Cate Faehrmann said protection zones around aggregation sites needed to be larger. "When you are desperately trying to save a critically endangered species from extinction, half-hearted compromises are not the way to go," she said.  *AAP

Cuttlefish

Giant Australian cuttlefish numbers at Point Lowly in the Upper Spencer Gulf have plummeted and authorities are at a loss to explain the cause of what could be the end of one of the world's most spectacular natural wonders.  Every year when the water cools in May, June and July, the cuttlefish return to the place of their birth to spawn and lay their eggs in an orgy of reproductive splendour. Not this year. Fisheries Minister Gail Gago says preliminary figures suggest cuttlefish numbers have "reduced by about two-thirds". A state government working group has been unable to establish a reason for the decline and recommended research "should now focus on investigating broader ecological factors that may be influencing the population", she said. "It would be prudent to await the outcomes of this further research." But Tony Bramley of Whyalla Diving Services says there is no time to waste. He estimates cuttlefish numbers fell to as low as 6000 this year, compared to 78,000 last year - which was already down two- thirds on the annual average of 200,000 over the past decade. After nearly 40 years of diving with cuttlefish, Mr Bramley is devastated. "It's just heartbreaking when you look at what's left, after what used to be there," he said. "It's unbelievable. There were so many animals you couldn't land on the bottom, you had to push them aside to land on the reef. We've lost all of that." He said he held out little hope for a recovery because cuttlefish are so short-lived.   "The animal dies after it spawns, so it only gets one go at mating and they only live for one to two years anyway,'' Mr Bramley said. The Conservation Council SA has set up its own taskforce, calling for greater protection for the species. *Adelaide Now

National Parks

Parks Victoria is cutting 120 jobs as part of a major restructure. Staff were told on Friday afternoon that voluntary redundancies will be offered, but rangers and other front-line staff will not be eligible. The number of senior managers will also be reduced from 65 to 47. Staff currently filling those roles will have to reapply for their positions. The restructure is the result of a review commissioned by the former Labor Government. The 120 job cuts are in addition to the 4,200 previously announced by the Baillieu Government. The Community and Public Sector Union Secretary, Karen Batt, is disputing Parks Victoria's assurance that its fire prevention program will not be affected by the job cuts.  Meanwhile, the Northern Territory Government has confirmed it will be relocating some Parks and Wildlife staff from Darwin to Alice Springs. Territory Housing Minister Peter Chandler says a small number of staff will be relocated but he could not say how many positions will be moved. * ABC

Climate Change

As arctic sea ice hits a record low, scientific focus is turning to climate ''tipping points'' - a threshold that, once crossed, cannot be reversed and will create fundamental changes to other areas. ''It's a trigger that leads to more warming at a regional level but also leads to flow-on effects through other systems,'' Will Steffen, the chief adviser on global warming science to Australia's Climate Commission, said. There are about 14 known ''tipping elements'', according to a paper published by the US Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.  In the case of the Arctic ice cap, less ice means less white surface to reflect heat and more dark water to soak it up. This leads to higher temperatures, which scientists say will unlock more ancient greenhouse gases frozen into ocean depths and permafrost, speeding climate change, interfering with ocean currents, rainfall patterns and weather.

Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/environment/climate-change/sea-ice-reduction-at-tipping-point-20120922-26dm6.html#ixzz27K6WWOPT

 
Earthwatch Australia is excited to announce that the long anticipated ClimateWatch iPhone app is now ready. This FREE app means you can record your observations in real time and anywhere, even if you have poor mobile signal. Through GPS, date and time stamps you can accurately record while bushwalking, at the beach or in the local park. With loads of new features, some exciting additions include being able to submit real time photos, compare your observations against species information for accurate recordings, listen to bird, frog and mammal calls to identify species. ClimateWatch is the first project of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere and with the addition of the new iPhone app, recording will be even easier and more accessible to everyone who enjoys the outdoors. The app is currently only available on iPhone but a Google Android version is on the way. To find the app simply type ClimateWatch into the App Store search. * Network Item

Wildlife Program

Channel 10 will premiere Steve Irwin’s Wildlife Warriors next month, featuring Terri, Bindi and Robert Irwin working with wildlife around Australia. The series is produced by Spring, a subsidiary of FremantleMedia Australia. Steve Irwin’s Wildlife Warriors is the first television series that sees Terri, Bindi and Robert present as a family since Steve’s untimely death in 2006, and the first time the Irwin’s will appear in a prime time slot. The series will feature the Irwin family and members of Australia Zoo as they continue the Crocodile Hunter’s inspiring lifetime work of saving Australia’s precious wildlife. With the family-orientated series focusing on the Wildlife Hospital and Rescue Unit of Australia Zoo, viewers will see how Steve Irwin’s legacy has had an effect on his wife Terri and how Bindi and Robert have enthusiastically picked up their father’s passion for animals. In addition to filming in and around the zoo, viewers will also journey with the family as they travel through the Outback to visit wildlife sanctuaries in Weipa, Cape York, Far North Queensland and Tasmania. Working alongside the staff in the 24/7 Wildlife Rescue Unit in one of the world’s leading wildlife hospitals, the Irwin family will show viewers the animal planet’s most unique and sometimes deadly, but always unpredictable, wildlife.  7:30pm Saturday October 6th. * Network Item



Kangaroos

The Department of Environment says kangaroos in lower south-east South Australia remain largely off limits in a new management plan governing commercial harvesting. The plan, which has just been released for public comment, covers issues such as quotas, licensing and where kangaroos can legally be taken. The department's kangaroo ecologist, Peter Stokes, says the red kangaroo, the euro, and the western kangaroo are the most common species found across South Australia but the south-east is an exception. "In the south-east, particularly the lower south-east, you've mainly got eastern grey kangaroos," he said. "Now they are not currently listed as eligible species for commercial harvest. "We do, however, allow the non-commercial destruction of those kangaroos through permitting." Last month, a Grant District Council meeting raised the need for a possible cull in areas around Mount Gambier after reports of an unusually high number of kangaroos but the Department of Environment said there were not enough to warrant a commercial harvest. *ABC


Western Queensland councils are requesting help to combat record numbers of wild dogs and kangaroos across the inland. Delegates from 11 councils covering more than one-third of the state have been meeting in Barcaldine, east of Longreach. Barcaldine Mayor Rob Chandler says they want more government help to reopen kangaroo export markets. He says the sector is close to collapse and massive numbers are posing environmental problems. "The kangaroos are in record numbers and when it stops raining and we get dry times, the kangaroos will be here in their absolute millions," he said. The mayors have also resolved to ask the State Government to match a $30-a-head bounty paid by councils for wild dogs. Councillor Chandler says the dog problem has become an "epidemic" and if agriculture is a pillar of the economy, the Government should come up with funds to help. "The sheep people here, especially east of Barcaldine, they have been annihilated by wild dogs and the sheep industry has come to a stop," he said. "Those dogs are on the march heading for the open downs country and if we don't do something about this epidemic now, we're going to see more and more people go out of the wool industry. "It's a big dollar earner for the State Government and small communities." *ABC


The idea of using culled kangaroos for commercial purposes, as proposed in Victoria, ignores the cruelty hidden in the slaughter practices and serious hygiene threats to human health. The perception that kangaroos are a renewable resource, coupled with the labelling of these native animals as pests, has resulted in the largest slaughter of land-based wildlife on the planet. In the past 20 years, 90 million kangaroos and wallabies have been lawfully killed for commercial purposes. Yet this week, Victoria's Baillieu government is considering the feasibility of commercial hunting of wild kangaroos. Currently the commercial use of the thousands of kangaroos culled annually in Victoria is banned. All kangaroo meat sold in Victoria is sourced interstate.

While the commercial hunters have reacted positively to the news, stating that it will put to use the carcasses of animals that have been killed through the annual culls, the reality of putting a commercial kill in place is very different. The human consumption of animals slaughtered in the wild presents a range of health issues. Last month, ABC's Lateline featured research exposing the dangerous hygiene surrounding kangaroo meat for human consumption. Over a number of years, Voiceless and Animal Liberation bought kangaroo meat for human consumption from Coles, Woolworths and IGA supermarkets in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane and had the samples tested in an independent laboratory.

Of the 26 samples taken, eight tested positive for salmonella and 11 samples showed high levels of E. coli. The quality assurance standard for raw meat of one of the major retailers allows for an E. coli count of less than 10 colony-forming units per gram of meat. However, one sample tested by Voiceless and Animal Liberation had an E. coli count of 24,000 colony forming units per gram and also tested positive for salmonella; another showed a staggering E. coli level of 46,000 units per gram. Systemic food safety and hygiene violations such as these led the Russian government to announce a total ban on importing kangaroo meat in 2009, when Russia accounted for about 76 per cent of kangaroo meat exports.

This contamination should not be surprising, given that kangaroos are not killed in sterile slaughterhouses like other animals used for food but out in the field, sitting for hours with flies and insects in open bushland during the after-dusk hunt before finally being transported and processed. Beyond concerns for human health are the obvious issues of animal welfare. Let us be clear, this is an industry that demonstrably places profit above animal suffering. Kangaroos are shot in the wild and at night when they are most active, so the cruelty associated with the slaughter is largely hidden from the public.

Shooters are required by the relevant Codes of Practice to aim to shoot a kangaroo in the brain for an instantaneous death, but non-fatal body shots are unavoidable and cause horrific and painful injuries. Kangaroos are often found with missing limbs or jaws or suffering from gaping wounds due to the difficulty of the shot. Government monitoring of the slaughter to ensure it complies with the relevant codes is largely non-existent. Meanwhile joeys that are not used by the industry must be killed; either shot, decapitated or having their heads bashed with a hard and heavy blunt instrument. This brutal treatment is instructed by the government code. Those joeys not killed by these means die slow and stressful deaths due to starvation, predation or hypothermia.

Each year about 855,000 dependent joeys are killed in this way as collateral damage of the kangaroo industry, and yet, in a bit of twisted Orwellian logic, it is being propagated as "humane". The launch of a commercial approach would dramatically increase the pressure that culling places on kangaroo populations. The Southern Grampians Shire Council's economic development manager behind the push for the commercial industry says there will not be a rise in the number of shot kangaroos, just use of the bodies of those already killed through culls, but this cannot be regulated nor enforced.

No longer will population numbers or land competition be the motivator for culls, but instead it will be individuals seeking to profit from the slaughter of these creatures. This will undoubtedly result in the numbers of killed kangaroos soaring well beyond the current cull quotas and threatening populations. It is irresponsible to commercialise the hunting of kangaroos, given these serious concerns of contamination and animal cruelty. *Age, Dana Campbell
Dana Campbell is the chief executive officer of the animal protection institute Voiceless

Wildlife Bytes 18/9/12

Editorial

Recently an application was made to operate a Quad bike ( 4 wheeled motorbike) tour as a "home-based business" in the Woondum National Park, near Noosa.  The tour proposal starts from private property, then travels onto a public road for a few hundred meters, then into Woondum National Park all the way to a location called Mothar Mountain Rock pools .

The "tour" can only have a detrimental impact upon the National Park and the habitat that it provides for rare, endangered and threatened species, including koalas.  There are many issues, including toileting, erosion, wildlife disturbance, weed intrusion, and others. This proposal has gained its "Commercial Activity Permit" from Queensland Parks and Wildlife Services, a branch of the old QLD Govt Dept of Environment and Natural Resources, and believed to be a TEST CASE for all National Parks in Queensland.  Only 5% of QLD is dedicated as National Parks, which is terribly small percentage and to see it being overtaken by motorbikes and other high impact commercial operations will be devastating.

DERM have issued the Commercial Activity permit for use of all tracks in Woondum National Park, and QLD Police have issued a Police permit for the bikes to ride on the public roads. The tour will undertake tours of up to 12 quad bikes and 14WD recovery vehicle twice a day, 7 days a week, 360 days a year. Furthermore this tour will be for over 8600 quad bikes each year through this park,and potentially through any other or all national parks in QLD, and very possibly across Australia.  This proposal sits in line with the current drive of the QLD Govt to open up national park for commercial tourism without limitations, at the same time, the Government has cut the funding of environmental organisations such as the Environment Defenders Office (EDO), which has rapidly reduced the community's opportunity to gain legal assistance and support to defend the environment.

To add salt to the wound, we understand that at a recent Land Tenure meeting the current QLD Govt also mentioned changes to the Nature Conservation Act 1992 that will see the cardinal principal changed from: " To provide, to the greatest possible extent, for the permanent preservation of the area’s natural condition and the protection of the area’s cultural resources and values"

To: "National Parks being primarily places for economic return and safe places for the community (ie shoot with safety to rest of community). The Dept of National Parks, Recreation, Sports and Racing spokesperson informed the other departments that the environment will be considered after these priorities.'

You can help to  protect Woondum National Park, and what is ultimately the future of all our National Parks, by  raising your concerns to:

Federal Environment Miniser Tony Burke   Tony.Burke.MP@environment.gov.au
Mr Steve Dickson, MP, Minister for National Parks, Recreation Sports and Racing, QLD http://www.stevedicksonmp.com.au/Contact/ContactSteve.aspx
Mr Andrew Powell, MP, Minister for Environment and Natural Heritage, QLD   glass.house@parliament.qld.gov.au

We do have doubts about the commercial viability of this project in this area, but once approved the tour could be relocated to any National Park anywhere. However, we will be monitoring and photographing any damage that may occur. One thought would be to install hidden motion detector DVD cameras in a couple of strategic places to monitor activities. If any of our readers would like to contribute a  tax-deductable donation to help with independent monitoring of this ridiculous proposal, 
please visit here   ...       http://www.kangaroo-protection-coalition.com/wildlifeappeal.html

Spiders

A chance discovery has revealed a inconspicuous native wasp is the redback spider's worst enemy.  Scientists had almost forgotten about the wasp more than 200 years after it was first described. They have only just realised its importance after WA boy Florian Irwin, then aged 9, saw a wasp dragging a paralysed redback spider to its nest. His father Peter photographed the event and kept specimens to show staff at the Western Australian Museum, who in turn alerted University of Adelaide scientists. The research team has since identified the wasp as Agenioideus nigricornis and searched museum collections for more information about its behaviour. One specimen from Hammond in South Australia was preserved in a vial with its victim, with a note saying the wasp had captured the spider. Professor Andy Austin, from the University of Adelaide's Australian Centre for Evolutionary Biology and Biodiversity, said the wasp was keeping the population of redback spiders down across Australia. "We're very excited by this discovery, which has prompted us to study this species of wasp more closely" he said. "It's the first record of a wasp preying on redback spiders and it contributes greatly to our understanding of how these wasps behave in Australia." With a body length of less than a centimetre, an adult redback spider-hunting wasp is no bigger than its prey. It stings and paralyses the redback spider and drags it back to its nest and lays an egg on it. The redback remains alive and once the egg hatches, the larval wasp feeds on the spider. The research is published in the latest issue of the Australian Journal of Entomology. The wasp was first described in 1775 by Danish entomologist Johan Christian Fabricius, using samples collected in Australia during Captain Cook's first great voyage (1768-1771).AdelaideNow

Crocodiles

Wildlife officers investigating the shooting death of a crocodile in Broome, in Western Australia's north, say the animal may have been killed by trophy hunters. The body of the four-metre reptile was found decomposing at the popular local fishing spot Crab Creek on Monday. It is believed to have been killed at least two weeks ago and a bullet hole from a high-powered rifle was found in its skull. District wildlife officer Peter Carstairs is investigating who is responsible. "With this animal we found the teeth had been removed," he said. "People like to keep teeth for necklaces or trophies so that could have been the motive." Killing a crocodile carries a $10,000 fine and removing parts of its carcass can cost another $10,000. If the bullet is found it will be removed and studied as part of the investigation. *ABC

Flying Foxes

The Lockyer Valley Council has criticised the Queensland Government for blocking attempts to move a bat colony near a nursing home in Gatton. The southern Queensland council was given a permit last year but Mayor Steve Jones says it has only been allowed to remove trees around the colony. He says he cannot understand why the process has stalled. "Underneath that colony is a massive amount of litter, feet deep full of excreta, dead bats, all that type of thing," he said. "Now the unfortunate part of that is that is in a waterway and that waterway drains into the Lockyer Creek. "Ultimately that material gets into the Mount Crosby weir and the people of Brisbane drink it and we think it's vitally important that it be removed. "There's been costs involved and we've been happy to wear the cost if we can get rid of these creatures. "They're such a health risk and there are so many negatives about them but to date we've had costs and absolutely no return whatsoever." The ABC has contacted the State Government for comment. *ABC


Batty Boat Cruises are a great way to enjoy a family trip on the river – adults and kids alike love Batty Boat Cruises. Dates for the 2012/13 season are...
28 October 2012, 25 November 2012, 9 December 2012, 10 February 2013, 24 February 2013, 24 March 2013  Cruises depart late afternoon. Book online today!  Ticket prices $32.00 each adults, $24.00 concession, $16.00 children (3-15 years), $85 family (2 adults, 2 children)  Where does the cruise go? The boat leaves from Mowbray Park East Brisbane and travel to Indooroopilly Island (6 km from Brisbane CBD) in time to watch the flying foxes depart. Each cruise lasts 3.5 to 4 hours. What you can do on a cruise? Learn about the Brisbane River, its history and landmarks. Meet on-board orphaned bats and their carers. Observe black, grey-headed and little red flying-foxes.  Watch the spectacular summertime flyout of flying-foxes as they head out for their nightly foraging expedition.  Listen to expert commentary about flying-foxes and wildlife along the Brisbane River.  Buy souvenirs of your trip and wildlife books and gifts. Hot snacks can be purchased on board. Tea and coffee, soft drinks and bar service available. (Please, no BYO alcohol or eskies)
Book online here.........   http://www.wildlife.org.au/store/battyboat.html

Urban Wildlife

There is currently quite a bit of interest in the topic of urban wildlife research. This discipline emerged in the 1970s and has been steadily growing in size and popularity since then--a reflection of humans' increasing use of urban spaces, and our growing understanding of how these habitats can provide space for species other than Homo sapiens. Research on urban wildlife seeks to answer a variety of questions, but, generally speaking, is aimed at understanding the contributions of urban ecosystems, documenting human-wildlife conflicts in urban areas, and solving ecological problems that are inherent to urban ecosystems (such as fragmentation, homogenization of species assemblages, and invasion by exotic species, to name but a few). Read more  ..  http://www.science20.com/anthrophysis/past_and_future_urban_wildlife_research-94086/

Animal Active, a Melbourne based wildlife group, is setting up an Urban  Possum Coalition. Groups or individuals who would like to join can email them at  animalactive@iinet.net.au  *Network Item

Reptiles

Thieves have stolen reptiles from a Gawler South (South Australia) pet shop. The burglary on Sixth Ave happened between 6pm Saturday and 9am Sunday when thieves smashed a glass front door. Reptiles including snakes and lizards were stolen but police are yet to determine exactly how many were taken. Anyone with information about this incident should contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or at www.sa.crimestoppers.com.au.  * Herald Sun

Dugong

A dugong is lucky to be alive after being stranded on a Darwin beach.  Passers-by kept the mammal cool until Ark Animal Hospital vet Stephen Cutter and NT Park Ranger Ray Chatto helped it get back out to sea.  The sea cow was unhurt except for some scratches on its back which it got from being thrown against rocks and coral by rough waves.  If you see marine wildlife in trouble, call the Marine WildWatch hotline on 1800 453 941. NT News

Uranium Mining

Environmentalists say the Queensland government has reneged on its election promise to keep a ban on uranium mining. The Minister for Natural Resources, Andrew Cripps, called for a discussion on Friday after the Queensland Resources Council said it was time to lift the decades-long ban. The Australian Conservation Foundation spokesman Dave Sweeney said that, during the state election campaign, the Liberal National Party committed itself to upholding the ban. 'We remind the Queensland government and the LNP they went with a clear commitment to the people they had no intention to expand or facilitate the uranium industry in Queensland,'' he said. Mr Sweeney said the uranium industry was one of ''headlines and heartaches''. ''We will actively take part in this debate, highlighting the costs and consequences both here and overseas,'' he said. ''Don't forget Australian uranium was inside Fukushima [nuclear reactors in Japan] when it melted down. 'Rocks from Kakadu are now causing radioactive fallout.'' * AAP


Seals

Officials at a Canadian aquarium said they need $75,000 to care for two harp seals or the animals must be killed because they can't be released into the wild. The Department of Fisheries and Oceans catches two whitecoat harp seals each year to put on display at the aquarium in the Magdalen Islands. The seals are then released back into the wild each fall when the aquarium closes. New rules at the DFO barred the release of the seals this year out of concerns the seals could transmit disease to wild populations in the ocean, The (Montreal) Gazette reported.  More than 124,000 people signed a petition to save the seals, which the aquarium had determined to euthanize.  In response to the public outcry, the aquarium issued a statement Friday saying it could send the seals to a facility in Brest, France, but would need $75,000 to care for the animals in the meantime. "It feels a little like they're taking the seals hostage -- like a ransom note: 'Now that you're upset, give us some money or we'll kill them,' " said Michelle Cliffe, a spokesperson for the International Fund for Animal Welfare. "We think it's the responsibility of an aquarium to have a plan and the finances to care for animals prior to taking on those animals." *UPI.com

Habitat Restoration

The lower reaches of the River Murray will benefit from more than 1000 billion litres of environmental water over the next year.  That extraordinary volume of water will be aimed at restoring key habitats for native fish, birds and trees. As debate continues to rage about how much environmental water the Murray-Darling Basin Authority should return, Federal Water Minister Tony Burke has released the Government's watering plan for the coming year. The MDBA is expected to this week release modelling on the release of 3200 billion litres. Analysis of this modelling will form the South Australian Government's official stance on the plan, which it has so far rejected because it says the 2750 billion litres currently on the table is not enough to safeguard the basin's future. * Adelaide Now
Read more  ..  http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/south-australia/river-murrays-lower-reaches-to-benefit-from-1000-billion-litres-of-water-this-coming-year/story-e6frea83-1226475213787

Rare Fish

A central Queensland fish on the brink of extinction has been named among the planet's 100 most endangered species. The International Union for Conservation of Nature has included the red-finned blue-eye on its crisis list. It's found only in the Great Artesian Basin springs of the Edgbaston Reserve near Longreach. An introduced species called the mosquitofish has invaded the springs and is threatening the dwindling blue-eye. The fish, which Australian authorities list as endangered, is one of four species found in Australia that have made the top 100 list. The others are the underground orchid, found in Western Australia, the common sawfish found in Australian and other waters, and the Amsterdam Island albatross. An ecologist from the Edgbaston Reserve has called on Australian authorities to trial captive populations of the blue-eye to help preserve it. "We all need to work together because the future of the species remains in jeopardy," Bush Heritage Australia ecologist Dr Adam Kerezsy said in a statement. *Age

Turtles and Dugong

Queensland Aborigines and Torres Strait Islanders using cruel hunting methods will no longer be immune from prosecution.  The State Government passed amendments to the Animal Care and Protection Act on Wednesday, bringing Queensland into line with other Australian states. The changes remove exemptions for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, fulfilling a Liberal National Party (LNP) election promise. The party pledged to change the law after the ABC showed evidence of turtles and dugongs being killed inhumanely in far north Queensland. Footage was shown of hunters cutting the flippers off a turtle struggling on its back. The station also aired claims that live dugongs were being fastened to boats and dragged through the water. Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry John McVeigh said cruel hunting practices were unacceptable and had provoked outrage in the community. The changes would only affect a small number people, he said in a statement. *Courier Mail

Tassie Devils

An Australian wildlife enthusiast is planning to build a wall to protect the endangered native Tasmanian devil from a deadly disease. Bruce Englefield hopes to build a barrier which will confine up to 150 healthy members of the species in the Freycinet National Park. The future of the carnivorous marsupial is threatened by Devil Facial Tumour Disease, which is passed on when the animals bite each other while fighting over food. Mr Englefield says the approach of quarantining animals has been proven to work. "We've got the money, we can build the fence tomorrow, I can get started tomorrow," Mr Englefield said. Tasmania's government says it supports the idea, but doesn't want to rush into building the two-kilometre barrier. $130,000 has already been donated to the cause from the sales of a cookbook. * RadioAust.

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   *

Eels

Czech scientists sew transmitters in eels' bellies to monitor them on their way along rivers to the sea where the adult fish run to propagate with the aim to protect them in the future, daily Pravo writes Friday. The scientists have already fitted 70 out of the planned 100 eels with chips. The fish perish on their way to the sea between the blades of turbines of hydro-electric plants. "This experiment is to gain information on how many eels manage to pass through the river network and mainly to precisely map the time schedule of migration so that we may be able to predict it and agree on stopping power plants' turbines, for instance," Jiri Musil, from the Water Management Research Institute in Prague, told Pravo. He said the eel is critically endangered in all Europe. "The numbers continue decreasing. Now there is one percent of the fish population in the 1980s and 1990s," Musil said. * Prague Monitor

Flying Foxes

Dicky Beach (Sunshine Coast) residents believe someone is setting off firecrackers to scare off a colony of flying foxes living near Tooway Lake. Residents around Chris Byerlee Park said they had heard a series of bangs going off in the middle of the day several times a week. Some said they had noticed the noise for six to eight weeks.  One nearby resident, Tony Magrathea, feared someone would set the area on fire unintentionally. "There are a number of houses close to the trees, it's a bit of a concern," he said. "If they're firecrackers then it's messing with nature and creating a fire hazard. "I'm not sure if it could be school kids or someone who lives around here who is just upset with them." Mr Magrathea said he occasionally heard what he believed to be firecrackers going off a couple of times a week. Another couple, who asked not to be named, said the disturbance had caused tens of thousands of flying foxes to flee their trees in the middle of the day over the land and houses bordering the creek, defecating as they flew overhead. One said the flying foxes, if left undisturbed, would head inland at sundown for their normal nightly feed. The couple said they would be making a complaint to the Sunshine Coast Council.  Colonies of flying foxes have long been a pain for pockets of communities on the Coast. Earlier this year, residents of Tepequar Dr in Maroochydore called on the State Government to rid their neighbourhood of flying foxes. The colonies live on neighbouring school properties at Stella Maris Catholic School and Maroochydore State High. *Sunshine Coast Daily

Jellyfish

The proliferation of artificial structures in coastal regions may be contributing to an increase in jellyfish blooms blooms in these areas, say scientists. The international team of scientists led Professor Carlos Duarte, director of the Oceans Institute at the University of Western Australia found that artificial structures provide the ideal habitat for the polyp stage of many jellyfish to flourish. "We call this new proposition the 'Trojan Horse' hypothesis," says Duarte. "The proliferation of artificial structures such as harbours, shipping facilities and aquaculture structures provides a habitat for jellyfish polyps and may be an important driver in explaining the global increase in jellyfish blooms," he says. The scientists say their findings have implications for coastal planning, with the need to design coastal structures, manage harbour environments, and regulate garbage disposal to reduce suitable habitats for polyp growth.
They surveyed coastal locations from around the world over 20 years and found jellyfish polyps thriving in their millions on the underside of structures such as piers, artificial reefs, buoys, and fish pens. "Jellyfish polyps existed on the underside of such artificial structures at densities of more than 10,000 individuals per square metre, and sometimes up to 100,000 per square metre," says Duarte. In some areas, years of surveys revealed no polyps until a new artificial structure was deployed, they report in the journal Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment . "Polyps were found in high densities on artificial surfaces in harbours, suggesting they could be massive sites of potential release of ephyrae," the researchers say. * ABC

Climate Change

We are a few hundred miles from the north pole. The air temperature is -3C, the sea freezing. All around us in these foggy Arctic waters at the top of the world are floes - large and small chunks of sea ice that melt and freeze again with the seasons. Arne Sorensen, our Danish ice pilot, is 18 metres up in the crow’s nest of the Arctic Sunrise vessel. Visibility is just 200 metres and he inches the 1,000-tonne Greenpeace ice-breaker forward at two knots through narrow passages of clear water.  The floes are piled up and compressed in fantastic shapes. Two polar bears on our port side lift their heads but resume hunting. Sorensen has sailed deep into ice at both poles for 30 years, but this voyage is different, he says.  The edge of the Arctic ice cap is usually far south of where we are now at the very end of the melt season.  More than 600,000 sq km more ice has melted in 2012 than ever recorded by satellites. Now the minimum extent has nearly been reached and the sea is starting to refreeze.
Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/environment/climate-change/staggering-arctic-ice-loss-smashes-melt-records-20120917-260zu.html#ixzz26gX7wo6P


The chance to save the world's coral reefs from damage caused by climate change is dwindling as man-made greenhouse gas emissions continue to rise, scientists said in a study released on Sunday. Around 70 per cent of corals are expected to suffer from long-term degradation by 2030, even if strict emission cuts are enforced, according to the study. "The window of opportunity to preserve the majority of coral reefs, part of the world's natural heritage, is small," said Malte Meinshausen, co-author of the report published in the journal Nature Climate Change. "We close this window if we follow another decade of ballooning global greenhouse-gas emissions." Coral reefs are home to almost a quarter of the world's ocean species, they provide coastal protection and can support tourism and fishing industries for millions of people worldwide. The rise of global average temperatures, warmer seas and the spread of ocean acidification due to greenhouse gas emissions, however, pose major threats to coral ecosystems.
Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/environment/climate-change/time-running-out-to-save-coral-reefs-scientists-say-20120917-260yg.html#ixzz26gXTkDvL


One of the world’s leading ice experts has predicted the final collapse of Arctic sea ice in summer months within four years. In what he calls a ‘‘global disaster’’ now unfolding in northern latitudes as the sea area that freezes and melts each year shrinks to its lowest extent ever recorded, Prof Peter Wadhams of Cambridge University calls for ‘‘urgent’’ consideration of new ideas to reduce global temperatures. In an email to the Guardian he says: ‘‘Climate change is no longer something we can aim to do something about in a few decades’ time, and that we must not only urgently reduce CO2 emissions but must urgently examine other ways of slowing global warming, such as the various geo-engineering ideas that have been put forward.’’ These include reflecting the sun’s rays back into space, making clouds whiter and seeding the ocean with minerals to absorb more CO2.
Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/environment/climate-change/arctic-summer-ice-to-disappear-within-four-years-expert-says-20120918-26324.html#ixzz26lPbGorL


August 2012 was the fourth-warmest August globally since 1880 and the 330th consecutive month in which temperatures worldwide were above the 20th-century average, the US National Climatic Data Center said. The average temperature on land and over the ocean was 61.2 degrees Fahrenheit (16.2 Celsius), 1.1 degree above the century’s average, the agency said today. “Most areas of the world experienced higher-than-average monthly temperatures, including far northeastern North America, central and Southern Europe, and east-central Asia,” the agency said. “In the Arctic, sea ice extent averaged 1.82 million square miles, resulting in the all-time lowest August sea ice extent on record.”
Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/environment/climate-change/world-temperatures-above-average-for-330th-straight-month-20120918-2631t.html#ixzz26lPyS9Qf


Steve Irwin Wildlife Reserve

More than 400,000 Australians and wildlife warriors from around the world have signed a petition to save the Steve Irwin Wildlife Reserve, which is currently under threat of strip mining. The result means that the Save Steve's Place petition is more than half way to matching the most petition signatures ever collected in Australia. Terri Irwin was thrilled with result and hopes that momentum of the Save Steve's Place campaign will continue. "I am so proud of the response we have had to save the Steve Irwin Wildlife Reserve. We can protect this fragile environment while still enabling research, filming projects, and opportunities for indigenous Australians." The 335,000 acre reserve, in Queensland's Cape York Peninsula, is home to a set of at least eight important spring fed wetlands which provide a critical water source to threatened habitat, provide permanent water to the Wenlock River, and a home for rare, vulnerable and previously un-described plants and wildlife.

The Steve Irwin Wildlife Reserve remains host to the most comprehensive crocodile research in the world. Management of the reserve has also involved research with scientists from twelve countries; studies of flora, fauna, anthropology, paleontology, weather, hydrology, fire management, pest control, and aboriginal culture. "We have also worked with Traditional Owners to develop employment opportunities such as cosmetic and pharmaceutical uses for different plant species, research and ranger work, education opportunities, and elders on country. We also support the Queensland Indigenous Land and Sea Rangers Program," said Terri. There are also significant tourism and filming opportunities for the Cape region. "Since signing with FremantleMedia Enterprises, we have had regular filming projects in the Cape which will reach 150 countries around the world. "Our filming future presents even bigger opportunities than we experienced with Crocodile Hunter, and provides significant and ongoing benefits for Queensland and Cape York," added Terri.

Terri believes the ongoing opportunity of using the land for widespread benefits will cease to exist if the Steve Irwin Wildlife Reserve is mined. "Industry opportunities are still available for Cape York people, without utterly destroying habitats. Never forget: if a region is not destroyed with strip mining, the resource is still there!" "More than 400,000 Wildlife Warriors agree that Steve's legacy should continue," concluded Terri. To sign the Save Steve's Place petition, visit http://www.savestevesplace.com 

Kangaroos...

Dont know what Victorian kangaroo meat tastes like? You soon may because the Baillieu government is considering ''the feasibility of commercial harvesting of wild kangaroos''. All kangaroo meat sold in Victoria is sourced from interstate, mostly Queensland and New South Wales, because the commercial use of the thousands of kangaroos culled annually in Victoria is banned. That may soon change. The Southern Grampians Shire Council is calling for the ban to be lifted and the state government is evaluating it.''Each year between 9000 and 30,000 animals are authorised to be destroyed and left on site,'' the council said in a motion to the Municipal Association of Victoria state council to be held next week. ''There is a potential commercial use for these kangaroo products. ''Allowing the controlled commercial culling of kangaroos would allow councils in rural areas to investigate the potential to grow their meat-processing industries, create new businesses and local long-term jobs and accrue additional economic benefits to regional areas of Victoria,'' the motion said. A government spokeswoman said the government was studying the suggestion with advice from the Department of Primary Industries. ''We will await the outcome of that work before making decision about possible changes to regulation to allow commercial kangaroo harvesting,'' she said.

The RSPCA does not support the commercial use of kangaroos culled in Victoria. ''Once you have commercial drivers then sometimes the welfare drivers become secondary,'' RSPCA Victoria chief executive Maria Mercurio said. ''We always want the welfare considerations to be paramount,'' she said. The Southern Grampians Shire Council manager of economic development and tourism, Hugh Koch, said allowing the commercial use of culled kangaroos could be an economic fillip for the region. ''Being in regional areas where we are looking at a number of economic development opportunities, this was one that was pointed out to us by a number of kangaroo shooters and, so too, by a local abattoir,'' he said. ''Under the current regulations wallabies or kangaroos which are destroyed … are mainly left on the ground to rot and because we are talking about what are permitted to be culled we thought it would be a great idea to explore the opportunities to develop an industry out of it,'' he said. The idea was not to shoot more kangaroos - it was to not waste those shot anyway. 'What shooters tell me is that they can take two carcasses away at the moment, but they shoot 80,'' he said. ''We think there is tremendous opportunity … to set up mobile coolrooms to store the carcasses, bring them back to a licensed abattoir and develop it for a domestic, export or pet food market.'' *Stock and Land

Across Victoria in 2011 a total of 30 334 Kangaroos (29 152 Eastern Grey, 1162 Western Grey and 20 Red Kangaroos) have been approved for culling by the Department  of Sustainability and Environment.

To write  ..   Profiles of the Shire Councillors which include email addresses:
http://www.sthgrampians.vic.gov.au/Page/page.asp?Page_Id=76&h=0

Victorian Minister for Environment – Ryan Smith ryan.smith@parliament.vic.gov.au
Premier - Ted Baillieu  http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/contact.html

To find out how much wildlife is beeing killed in Victoria under the Permit system go here  .. 
http://vicmps.greens.org.au/content/authority-control-wildlife-permits-issued-under-cloak-secrecy



The Australian Society for Kangaroos members will risk their lives to protect the marsupials after news of a potential cull of up to 40 animals on Swan Island in Victoria. The group has organised members to watch over the kangaroos in the coming weeks and will obstruct shooters seen on the island, says president Nikki Sutterby. "We have set up a vigil to watch and keep a lookout," she said. "People will go on that island if they start shooting. We will take action." A Defence Department spokesperson said in an email it had no "immediate" plans for a kangaroo cull at Swan Island or to eradicate the native animals. "However, Defence has a current permit from the Department of Sustainability and Environment for the culling of 40 kangaroos," the spokesperson said. In Victoria, about 30,000 kangaroos are killed across Victoria each year, with figures reaching almost 90,000 in both 2002 and 2003.

With the spring season just beginning, the kangaroo conservationist said it was the worst time of the year for the culling. "Spring is a horrible time of year for this to happen because joeys are just starting to leave their mothers' pouch," Ms Sutterby said. "It's protocol that any joeys found in their mothers' pouch will be bludgeoned to death or decapitated. "Any that happen to be out of the pouch when the mother is shot will separate from her, will be orphaned and die from hypothermia or malnutrition." "It is just so inhumane." According to Ms Sutterby, the culling of kangaroos was a "quick fix" and people, including farmers, were misinformed about them. "Kangaroos don't compete with sheep or cows for pasture, but farmers are misinformed and think they need to be killed," she said. "They should relocate the animals off the island, or sterilise all the males, not kill them." * Gellong Advertiser

Ed Comment; This week Defence announced they have cancelled plans to shoot any of the Swan Island kangaroos....a good win for the local groups.....

Crocodiles

Researchers from Australia Zoo and The University of Queensland have concluded a trip to the Steve Irwin Wildlife Reserve after reaching their target of tagging 100 Wenlock River's saltwater crocodiles. It's a goal that has been in place since the project began in 2007.  The 100th crocodile was affectionately named 'Wenlock' in honour of its stunning home. The six foot four and a half inch reptile will be tracked to offer incredible insight into the species, particularly with regards to managing the co-existence of crocodiles and humans. Australia Zoo owner Terri Irwin was thrilled with the result. "I am so proud to share this milestone for research with our crocodile capture team. They have successfully implemented Steve's trapping techniques to safely catch and tag 100 crocodiles in the Wenlock River," she said. "Australia Zoo continues to invest the time and money necessary to enable the most comprehensive crocodile research conducted in the world. The information we learn from these 100 crocodiles will help us to protect crocs, and people in to the future."

Professor Craig Franklin from The University of Queensland echoed Terri's thoughts. "Studies of this magnitude are showing us so much we didn't know about these iconic animals, and to help us to understand how we need to manage them in the wild. I can only think of how excited Steve would have been to witness this milestone, something we did not expect to achieve," said Prof Franklin. "I am privileged to be able to conduct this extensive research with the expert team from Australia Zoo and the support of Terri, Bindi and Robert," he added. The annual research trip involves capturing, tagging and tracking crocodiles, like Wenlock, with acoustic trackers and GPS satellite transmitters. A miniature electronic device is implanted under the skin enabling researchers to track movements of the animal for up to ten years. The signal transmitted from each receiver is recorded by underwater receiving stations along the Wenlock River. Revolutionary findings have included the monitoring of a crocodile's behavior and physiology, distances travelled and their ability to return to their habitat after relocation. The team has also learned of the species' ability to remain submerged for up to three hours at a time, and behaviours during flood events.

More recently the team recorded a crocodile holding its breath for 400 minutes. That's almost seven hours! Trapping techniques can be dangerous, and once a crocodile is coerced into a baited-trap the team has a duty of care to respond as quickly as possible. The crocodile is extracted from the trap and on to dry land; its jaws are tied with ropes, and the team positions themselves around the crocodile ready to 'jump' once the animal has settled. Once this has happened, researchers measure the animal, take blood and tissue samples, and implant an acoustic or GPS satellite transmitter. Another highlight this week included catching and tagging a massive fifteen foot and five inch estuarine crocodile named Juergen, after a German cameraman visiting the reserve. "Juergen is the largest crocodile we have ever caught on the Wenlock River," said Terri.  

Currently under threat of strip mining, over 400,000 Australians and wildlife warriors from around the world have signed a petition to save the Steve Irwin Wildlife Reserve, also known as 'Steve's Place'. "We are very optimistic about the future of the Steve Irwin Wildlife Reserve as we have over 400,000 petition signatures from people wanting to see this land remain unspoiled. We are more than halfway to matching the most petition signatures ever collected in Australia!" concluded Terri. You can sign the petition here: http://www.savestevesplace.com  To find out more about Australia Zoo and the University of Queensland's crocodile research visit http://www.australiazoo.com.au/conservation/projects/crocodiles

Wildlife Bytes 11/9/12

Editorial.....Wildlife Trafficking

Conservation groups report that for many endangered species, internet wildlife trading is now the principal threat to their survival. For several years now, animal welfare groups have known that illegal wildlife trading would proliferate across the internet. Now, several groups are claiming that illegal trafficking is by far the number one threat to the survival of endangered species. Back in 2005, the UK branch of the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW), released a report called Caught in the Web: Wildlife Trade on the Internet; in it, the conservation group revealed that they had found more than 9,000 wild animals and animal products for sale in just one week on eBay.
Read more: http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/332117#ixzz25XTt9jF4

There are no precise figures on the scale of the wildlife trafficking problem, but Global Financial Integrity, a Washington-based lobby group, last year estimated the global illegal wildlife trade to be worth at least £5bn or $6.5 billion Aussie dollars! Various reporting systems and investigations suggest commercial exploitation of many 'at risk species' has reached – or is close to – all-time high.

Meanwhile, the Guardian newspaper rsays that "a report is due to be published later this year, concludes that a growing proportion of wildlife crime is using "deep web" tools more commonly associated with serious financial criminals, drug traffickers and child pornographers." "The internet has without a doubt facilitated the huge expansion of illegal international wildlife trading over the last decade," said Crawford Allan, of the wildlife trade monitoring network Traffic. "Rare jewels of the forest can now be caught, boxed and shipped almost overnight just like any other express commodity."  This week we at WPAA attended a presentation  by TRAFFIC about the escalation of wildlife trading in (mostly) Indonesia and Malaysia. The photos we saw were horrific, and while landclearing and development is a major wildlife threat in Australia, there is no doubt the huge trade in wildlife for medicines and food in Asia is pushing many of their rare species closer to the brink of extinction. In Austalia we hear reports of turtle and dugong meat being taken to Asia on fishing boats, but the main illegal exports from Australia are believed to be for pet wildlife..birds and reptiles. Although the Australian illegal wildlife trade is believed to be huge, noone really knows for sure just how huge.......

More than 80 per cent of our mammals, reptiles and frogs, most of our freshwater fish and almost half of our birds can be found nowhere else in the World. But our unusual fauna is fast disappearing. Australia has 782 threatened animals on the International Union for the Conservation of Nature red list, second only to the USA.  Twenty per cent of Australian mammals are threatened and 18 Australian mammal species have become extinct in the last two centuries – almost half of all mammal extinctions worldwide over the past 200 years. * WPAA

Flying Foxes

On Threatened Species Day 2012, in a totally politically motivated decision, the Queensland  government announced that farmers would be allowed to shoot flying foxes! More details below.....

Hunting

The NSW O'Farrell government has backed down on their proposal to allow children as young as twelve to hunt unsupervised on public land.  The proposal that children be allowed to hunt on public land unsupervised, with packs of dogs, bows and arrows, and bowie knives, was a result of the unholy alliance Barry O'Farrell has struck in the NSW Upper House with the Shooters Party and Fred Nile's Christian Democratic Party. Through collective action, wildlife and  animal welfare groups, and members of the community working together, have forced the government's hand.  With over 300 individual submissions, hundreds of petitions and continued pressure on government MPs, this awful proposal was stpped in its tracks. *WPAA

Keppel Island Development

Just to clarify what we want: We support the re-development of the resort on the existing 38 hectare site. We oppose the development of Lot 21 (875 ha) for villas and a golf course. We support the state government’s assessment that Lot 21 be reserved for conservation purposes. The current lease of Lot 21 is for recreation and public access, not real estate.
We oppose the building of a marina at Putney Beach due to the damage that will be caused to the sensitive marine environment in the vicinity including fringing coral reefs.
http://www.change.org/en-AU/petitions/stop-development-of-great-keppel-islands-public-land-lot21-and-a-marina-on-putney-beach    ALSO The Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) responses to the state government are due at the end of next week (7th September) and the Federal response to the EIS is due on the 22nd of October. I will be emailing out a template for you to add comments and email to the respective parties early next week. If you could take the time to send in a submission that would really help support the island. Thanks for your help and support, regards, The Saving GKI Team PO box 666 Yeppoon, QLD, 4703 *Network Item

Dugong
The sea off Townsville has been found to be a death zone for the endangered dugong. A James Cook University survey undertaken last year to determine dugong numbers along the Queensland coast found Townsville's waters were as lethal as Gladstone's polluted harbour when it came to dugong habitat and survival. The report's negative findings on Townsville and Gladstone were based on the degradation of seagrass beds in waters adjacent to both port cities.  James Cook University Professor Helene Marsh said no dugong calves were seen in southern reef waters during the survey. She said the survey team could only conclude that dugong numbers were the lowest since the mid-1980s. "The results show a reduction in fertility in response to the extreme weather conditions of 2011," she said. Prof Marsh said category 5 Cyclone Yasi in February last year hastened what was already a deterioration of the dugong's seagrass feeding grounds. She said the aerial survey estimates of dugong numbers in Moreton Bay and Hervey Bay were t "about 3000". The figures for the Great Barrier Reef waters were not so encouraging. "It was a different story for the southern Great Barrier Reef region where the estimated size of the dugong population was put at 500 to 600. This is the lowest figure since surveys began in 1986," she said. Prof Marsh said the numbers of calves seen in Moreton and Hervey bays were proportionate to adult herd numbers and seasonal conditions. This was not the case for the reef waters. "No calves were seen in the southern Great Barrier Reef waters during the 2011 survey.  "This indicates a reduction in fertility in response to the extreme weather in 2011 which accelerated the decline in their seagrass beds," she said. Prof Marsh said dugong mortalities in 2011 were the highest on record. * Townsville Buletin


First part of campaign to save dugongs and sea turtles done.

Watch Video  http://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/work-of-assembly/broadcast-chamber/live?&broadcast_accept=1


Giant Catfish

Giant catfish are becoming an increasing problem in German rivers and lakes, with one monstrous 2.5-metre specimen even said to be eating swans in a river it has emptied of all other fish. Some are even becoming cannibals. Ducks and even swans on the Isen River in Upper Bavaria have to fear for their lives, Die Welt newspaper reported on Saturday, because they are being targeted by the giant fish.  Fishermen have been alarmed by the increasing number – and size – of the catfish, which have no natural predators and grow their entire lives, the paper reported.  “The fish are not actually known to eat members of their own species, but by now they are also doing this,” Manfred Holzner, head of the local fisherman’s association told the newspaper tz. Controlling their population is difficult - the fish themselves are notoriously tricky to catch, and nets are generally outlawed in the affected waters, Die Welt said.
 *German Local News

Rock Wallabies

A survey of endangered Proserpine rock wallabies on Gloucester Island National Park in the Whitsundays has found their numbers are strong but limited by the amount of rainforest on the rugged island. Rock wallabies are thought to be a remnant species from an ancient time when much of Australia was covered in rainforest. The north Queensland island colony was found in 1988 and the species is known in just a handful of other sites, including an introduced population on nearby Hayman Island and on the mainland. It's thought fewer than 1000 survive. The survey led by Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service senior ranger Barry Nolan trapped 60 wallabies and found they are thriving. National Parks Minister Steve Dickson said the survey conducted with resource management group Reef Catchments and Wild Mob conservationists included taking blood and DNA samples. These would be compared with the mainland population and as a baseline for other studies. "Of the 39 males and 21 females captured, 17 were of breeding size with pouch-young ranging from newly born to fully furred joeys," Mr Dickson said. Gloucester has rocky outcrops and rock piles covered with dry vine scrub which appears critical to the survival of the species which is the only rock wallaby that lives exclusively in rainforests. "The isolated nature of Gloucester ... means there is none of the threats that the mainland populations faced, such as land clearing, habitat fragmentation, feral dogs and cats and vehicles," Mr Dickson said. *Courier Mail

Sustainable Farming
More than ever, Australian farmers are under pressure to produce more food, and to do it in a way that doesn't damage the environment. How this can be achieved is being discussed at the National Landcare conference on in Sydney this week. Andrew Stewart from the Otway Agroforestry Network in south west Victoria says farmers involved his network are proving that conservation and profit are not mutually exclusive. The network is a Landcare group with over 200 members, focussed on supporting landholders to establish and manage trees and shrubs on their property. The Stewart family has revegetated 17 per cent of its 230 hectare grazing property near Colac with a mix of native and exotic trees. The result has been an increase in bird species, development of a new income stream from tree products and no loss of agricultural productivity. Meanwhile in south east South Australia, farmers are revegetating the landscape, to help preserve 70 nationally listed threatened species, including the Red-tailed Black Cockatoo. This cockatoo depends almost entirely on the seeds of Brown and Desert Stringybark and Buloke trees. Clearance of these trees across south east South Australia and south west Victoria are the main threat to the bird's survival. *ABC Rural

AZWH Patient of the Week ... Oliver the Koala Joey
Age: 5 months Weight: 280g Sex: Male Found: At the base of a tree at Amity Point, Stradbroke Island, with his mother in the tree above. Koalas are still pouch-bound at 5 months, so he may have fallen or mum might have accidentally kicked him out. Transported to: The Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital for specialised care. Veterinary Assessment: Dr Robyn assessed little Oliver on arrival, and found he was dehydrated and suffering from a chest infection. Treatment: Oliver was administered fluids and antibiotics, and is now being kept warm in a humidicrib in the Nursery ICU. Future: Oliver will remain in care at the Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital for at least the next couple of days. He will be transferred to a registered wildlife carer once his infection clears up. AZWH Statistic: We are about to enter our busiest time of year with the start of koala breeding season. Please keep an eye out for sick or injured koalas and any babies that may be around. If you do find an orphaned koala, please give us a call! *AZWH

Sharks

Sharks are very misunderstood animals and receive a largely undeserved reputation as vicious animals, although they have a unique "sixth sense" that allows them to locate their true, much smaller, prey. These are some of the findings from research conducted by the Sydney Aquarium into shark behaviour. There are more than 350 species of shark, but only four or five are considered to be dangerous to humans, the aquarium says.For most sharks something as big as a human would not be considered as prey as we are too large, it says. Instead they may think of us as a threat and prefer to stay as far away as possible. Attacks on humans in the wild are not as common as the media would indicate, and deaths are even rarer, the aquarium says. *SMH
Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/environment/conservation/sharks-have-sixth-sense-to-find-prey--but-not-humans-20120904-25c0g.html#ixzz25XSfXydW

Conservation groups meeting in South Korea Tuesday urged governments to take steps to save sharks and rays from overfishing for international trade. The Wildlife Conservation Society and more than 35 government agency and NGO partners issued the call at the International Union for Conservation of Nature's World Conservation Congress in Jeju, a WCS release reported Tuesday. They say they want sharks and rays listed under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species, the 175-member treaty that regulates international trade in animal and plant species. *   Read more  ..  http://www.upiasia.com/Science-Technology/2012/09/04/Groups-call-for-global-shark-protection/UPI-37921346802625/

Ospreys

A breeding pair of endangered osprey trying to nest on a Telstra telephone tower have been given a frosty reception.  The birds have perched on the tower in Streaky Bay's town centre  - but the giant telco wants them moved. "Telstra was approached by the local parks authority about this matter and we suggested the most  appropriate course of action  for consideration would be  to relocate the birds to a more  suitable location," a Telstra spokeswoman said. But Streaky Bay fisherman Jeff Schmucker said the endangered birds had "made up their mind". The birds would now be extremely reluctant to move from their fine vantage point, he said, adding: "Let's have a platform on the Telstra tower, right in the middle of town, and put a camera on it. "People can log in on the net and watch the eggs hatch. "Come on, Telstra. "These guys are catching fish right underneath the tower, right by the jetty at Streaky Bay." A spokeswoman for the Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources said a 5m-high nesting platform has been installed on the shores of Streaky Bay, 5km from the tower. "Osprey typically nest near a body of water ... it is hoped the birds will decide to nest at this new location in coming weeks," she said. The species is on the endangered list in South Australia, but numbers have increased slightly thanks to human intervention. There are about 50 or 60 breeding pairs in SA. *Adelaide Now

Rhinos

It is the new delicacy of choice among Vietnam's high-rollers. When the young, fashionable and rich gather to party, they increasingly spice up their drink with a special ingredient: rhino horn powder. These status-conscious hedonists include men who believe it can enhance their sexual performance. They apparently care little that their obsession could drive a glorious animal to extinction. Between 1990 and 2005, poachers in South Africa killed an average of 14 rhinos a year. Since then the number has soared. In 2010, 333 rhinos were poached. Last year, it was 448. So far this year, 339 rhinos have been killed, putting 2012 on course to be the deadliest since records began.
Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/environment/animals/the-delicacy-that-may-finally-kill-off-a-species-20120905-25ett.html#ixzz25czSLlG5

Elephants

In 30 years of fighting poachers, Paul Onyango had never seen anything like this. Twenty-two dead elephants, including several very young ones, clumped together on the open savannah, many killed by a single bullet to the top of the head. Africa is in the midst of an epic elephant slaughter. Conservation groups say poachers are wiping out tens of thousands of elephants a year, more than at any time in the previous two decades, with the underground ivory trade becoming increasingly militarised. Like blood diamonds from Sierra Leone or plundered minerals from Congo, ivory, it seems, is the latest conflict resource in Africa, dragged out of remote battle zones, easily converted into cash and now fueling conflicts across the continent. Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/environment/conservation/slaughter-on-a-huge-scale-do-you-want-your-children-to-grow-up-in-a-world-without-elephants-20120904-25c9p.html#ixzz25d0OZkm0

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 *



Kangaroos

Sporting giant Adidas has agreed to end the use of kangaroo leather for the prestige boots worn by Premier League football stars following complaints of animal cruelty. Animal welfare groups have been calling for a boycott amid concerns over the culling of the kangaroos involved, which is known to involve shooting the adults and clubbing the young to death. In the past, all the major manufacturers have used kangaroo skin for boots worn by stars from David Beckham to Frank Lampard and John Terry. Beckham stopped wearing kangaroo leather boots in 2006 after he was given details of the controversial slaughter methods, but other stars and firms like Adidas refused to stop using the skins. Now Adidas, which is German owned, has revealed its famous Predator brand boots are now made without kangaroo skin and it will reduce its use of the material by 98per cent over the next 12 months. The move by Adidas followed pressure from ethical investors, specifically the British organisation Co-op Asset Management.

The firm said: ‘We engaged with Adidas in connection with their continued use of kangaroo leather. We noted positively the successful transition of the Predator range that no longer contains kangaroo leather and that within the next 12 months Adidas will have reduced their sourcing volume for kangaroo leather by 98 per cent.’ British animal welfare group Viva! has worked closely with the Australian Wildlife Protection Council(AWPC) in campaigns to prevent the sale of kangaroo products, including meat. Both yesterday issued a guarded joint congratulation to the German giant for its ethical decision to move away from the use of wildlife in its global business. They said the move will save thousands of these animals from being shot and spare their babies from being clubbed to death. Other boot manufacturers are also cutting their use of kangaroo skin following animal welfare group campaigns.

In many parts of Australia, kangaroo numbers are so large that they are regarded as pests. Millions of adults are shot each year for their meat and skin and it is estimated that around 885,000 baby kangaroos or joeys and dependent young are decapitated, shot or beaten to death every year, then discarded as ‘waste’. Viva!’s founder and director, Juliet Gellatley, who launched the ‘Save the Kangaroo’ in Britain in 1997, said: ‘The slaughter of kangaroos is the world’s biggest massacre of terrestrial wildlife, carried out by a country with the world’s worst record for species extinction. ‘We have harried and opposed the Australian killing industry for more than a decade with considerable success. This latest move away from kangaroo leather is because Viva! has tarnished Adidas’ image and therefore their profitability. You can’t be a ‘little bit’ pregnant and you can’t be a little bit immoral so we urge Adidas to drop kangaroo completely.’ Philip Woolley, EU Campaign Director of the AWPC and head of international operations, said: ‘Having worked tirelessly for over ten years to get sports companies like Adidas to stop using kangaroo skin, the news of Adidas dropping their use on ethical and animal welfare grounds, is just a fantastic result. * Daily Mail

Ed Comment; Wildlife and animal welfare groups have been lobbying Adidas for many years over its extensive use of kangaroo skins in their footware. Many protests by local groups were held outside the Adidas factory in Germany, even in the winter snow, and many letters have been sent to them, and the replies from Adidas have been condescending to say the least. Now they have 'bitten the bullet' and decided to stop using kangaroo skins. Congratulations to everyone who wrote to Adidas....your letters finally worked!  This will be another blow for a dead kangaroo Industry that keeps on twitching. We are also hearing that Coles and Woolworths have been doing their own health testing on kangaroo meat, and are considering wether they should continue to sell it.

Emus

In Australia, the question is not why did the emu cross the road, but how? Australian road officials have proposed building emu underpasses beneath the east coast Pacific Highway so a population of endangered flightless emu can safely cross one of Australia's busiest and most dangerous roads. But wildlife experts say the emu, the world's 3rd largest bird and one which can run as fast as 50 kph (30mph), is unlikely to use the underpasses. "Emus are big birds with little brains," said Gary Whale of Birdlife Australia. The New South Wales state roads authority said it was working on a plan to minimize the impact of a Pacific Highway upgrade on a small emu population on Australia's east coast. Between 20 and 40 people have died on the Pacific Highway each year over the last decade, prompting authorities to spend hundreds of millions of dollars upgrading the highway to get rid of accident prone "black spots". But Birdlife Australia said the suggested new route of the highway would bisect emu foraging and breeding areas and endanger the lives of the emus in Clarence Valley. "It could see the extinction of the coastal emu," said Whale.

Special pathways to "provide safe passage under bridges" were being considered as part of an environmental impact statement, said a spokesperson for the New South Wales Roads and Maritime Service. "There are also four dedicated underpass structures designed for the emus, three 5.5 meters (18 feet) high and the other four meters (13 feet) high," said the spokesperson. Emus can stand up to two meters (6.6 ft) tall. Animal highway tunnels already exist for koalas and reptiles and suspension rope bridges span the Pacific Highway for animals like possums. A final decision on the emu underpasses will be made later in the year, but Whale said he was pessimistic about the birds ever using them, given their lack of intelligence - a problem that can make it hard simply to shoo them out of fenced fields. "(Farmers) open their gate to try and encourage them to go out," Whale said. "Five meters away the emu is butting at a five-strand fence, but can't work out that there is an opening there that it can get through." *Rueters

Flying Foxes

Day of shame: Threatened Species Day marks the start to shooting threatened flying-foxes in Queensland. Queensland will re-introduce the shooting of flying foxes today - ironically on Threatened Species Day.  Two of the species to be shot - grey headed and spectacled - are listed as vulnerable by the Federal Government. State Environment Minister Andrew Powell will allow farmers to shoot flying foxes despite the Government's Animal Welfare Advisory Committee finding it is inhumane. Outright kills are difficult and young left at camps by lactating mothers die slow deaths from dehydration. In an effort to make the process as humane as possible, only farmers can apply for permits, they must use 12-gauge shotguns with heavy shot and only on stationary animals rather than those in flight. An annual quota of 10,580 will be set for four species. The kill will be 4000 little reds, 3500 blacks, 1280 grey headed and 1800 spectacled flying foxes. Blacks and reds are common. Mr Powell said the numbers to be shot would be about the same as when shooting was last allowed four years ago and he was confident culling could be done humanely. Farmers could obtain a permit to shoot only if they had proved non-lethal methods had failed. Quotas would be set for individual orchards and farmers would identify species.

"Farmers are aware of which species are in their area and the department will keep an eye on this," Mr Powell said. Conservationist Carol Booth said the decision was in marked contrast to government regulations in June to reduce cruelty towards turtles and dugong during some indigenous hunts. Dr Booth said growers could protect crops more effectively with nets, which could cost as little as $8000 per hectare. Stanthorpe nectarine grower Ian Mungall said netting cost about $60,000 a hectare and was not viable unless subsidised by the Government. Growers did not want to shoot native animals but saw it as an economic necessity. The new code is available on the Department of Environment and Heritage Protection's website http://www.ehp.qld.gov.au/wildlife/livingwith/flyingfoxes/damage-mitigation-permits.html along with the necessary permit application forms, returns of operation and a fact sheet providing further information.

Dear Batty friends...Network Item

As you may or may not know the LNP passed a bill today to reintroduce the shooting of Flying foxes. This was banned in 2008 on the basis of animal cruelty as bats were left to die in agony in orchards and babies on board left to starve to death. Greys, Black and Reds are included in the quota which is 10,500 bats but of course this is un controlled estimate and babies on board are not counted. What is equally as despicable is the message that this sends out to all people who don't like bats and have the means to shoot a bat. They have now been told it is OK! The person responsible for getting this bill passed is the Environment Minister Andrew Powell - who administers that part of the Nature Conservation Act. It was done by amending a regulation so that the shooting bats bill didn't have to be passed by Parliament.  Just disgusting. Please rally all of your friends everywhere and ask them to go to this website and say what they think.

There is a section on the top right hand corner "A quick word with Andrew" you can use and there is another section where you can identify yourself and have your say.
Please do this. It will not cancel out the bill but our Bat friends needs us to all rally together and show them that we care and are not just sitting back and crying about this. I have sent this email without consulting the committee however I doubt if anyone would disapprove. Here is the website address for Andrew Powell.
http://www.andrewpowell.com.au     Thanks and regards, Network Item

Hunting

Firearms are flowing into Australia at more than double the rate of five years ago, triggering fears about public safety. The weapons are being legally imported but gun-control advocates are warning of a marked increase in the risk of shootings and other gun crime. Customs figures show 85,035 handguns, rifles, shotguns, military firearms and air firearms were legally imported into Australia last year, up from 39,389 in 2006.  The popularity of handguns has exploded, from 5876 to 19,561, while imported air guns have increased from 106 to 8452. During that time, detections of illegal firearms at Australia's borders has decreased 66 per cent from 17,635 to 5922. Gun Control Australia spokesman and Tasmanian lawyer Roland Browne said Tasmania already had the nation's highest rate of licenced shooters and that the population of about 510,000 had about 35,000 licenced shooters and more than 126,500 registered guns. Mr Browne said in Tasmania between 100 and 150 firearms were stolen each year and the state had this year suffered a spate of shootings and gun thefts.

Gun Control Australia president John Crook said current licence testing was abysmal. "Everyone who sits in some areas passes, imagine that being the same for a doctor examination -- all they have to do is prove they won't shoot themselves in the foot and they get a licence," he said. "The public can expect the further weakening of gun laws, and it looks like the increase in gun numbers within Australia will continue." Mr Crook said the concern was not just that legal handguns were being poorly locked up, then stolen and put onto the black market, but the majority of gun massacres in Australia were carried out by legal gun owners. "Nearly all gun massacres were not done by criminals, they were done by people who legally owned guns," he said. Sporting Shooters Association of Australia executive director Tim Bannister said it was rare for legal firearms to be used in violent crimes. "Criminals are not the ones asking for police checks and applying for gun licences," he said. "Gun owners are actually the most law-abiding people in the country they have to be, with the continued scrutiny they are under," he said. He said member numbers had grown to 144,000 nationally, triggered by increased animal numbers because of the drought and the association's ability to attract people aged under 40. Police sources agreed with Mr Bannister, saying their main worry was the hundreds of thousands of illegal firearms in Australia rather than registered firearms falling into the wrong hands * Mercury