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