Wildlife

A leading Charles Sturt University researcher co-led a multi-discipline team investigating the origins of dingoes, when they arrived in Australia, and how they changed over nearly three thousand years. Professor of Evolution and Environmental Change Alan Cooper … analysed genomes from skeletons and mummies of dingoes found in the many caves of the giant Nullarbor Plain across southern Australia.

150 Murray crayfish were released in Barham on Friday after many of the iconic species were relocated during the 2022 and early 2023 blackwater events. During the flood event, blackwater poured out of forests that had already had long periods of inundation with environmental water, contributing to poor water quality within the river system.

State Member for Hill, Shane Knuth, has unleashed his fury at the Queensland Government for the forced withdrawal of his Crocodile Control and Conservation Bill from the Health, Environment, and Agriculture Committee ... "In my 20 years in parliament, I have never been forced to withdraw a private member's bill on what I would call a technicality. This is another example of how broken our parliamentary system is in Queensland": Shane Knuth.

Lockhart Shire’s Marrocka Emus has been collaborating with other emus farms and Charles Sturt University to develop new emu oils with huge health benefits to humans as well as the further development of the farms as agritourism experience for visiting groups. Marrocka Emu farm was first purchased as a vacant block of land in 1991 by its current owners Ian and Marilyn Marston.  

Natalie Krebs. Australians have a dedicated overlanding and camping culture. They cook a leisurely breakfast and then simply wade out into the marsh a few hundred yards to pass-shoot ducks. These lowkey setups make it easy for casual hunters to have a good time, and convenient for activists to interfere.

Laura Jones’ prize-winning portrait of Winton is helping to promote a documentary film supposedly aimed to save koalas from extinction ... The multimillion-dollar, multinational koala industry is part of the problem, not the solution. Well-meaning people are unwittingly donating money to increase koalas’ suffering. Sensible fire management could restore healthy and safe landscapes with naturally low densities of healthy koalas ...

Local magpie family, known as Hilary, Martin and Princess have come first in the wildlife section of the Camberwell Rotary Art Show. Captured in gouache (watercolour) on paper, local artist Robyn Riley has propelled the trio to stardom.

The whale watching season in Queensland is now officially open with 40,000 gentle giants holidaying on Queensland’s coastline from June to November. Queensland’s east coast, also known as the humpback highway, is expected to attract more than 127,000 domestic visitors. Queensland has a high association as a destination with world-class nature and wildlife experiences...

PhD student Evan Curtis has reached a turning point in research investigating the use of drones, simulation studies and artificial intelligence (AI) to sustainably manage the kangaroo industry in NSW. Evan, a student at the University of Sydney, is mid-way through his project,  Determining optimal management strategies for four large macropods in NSW ...

The Toowoomba Region Koala Habitat Project has put the call out for local landholders interested in bringing koalas back to their properties. Project ecologist Shannon Michael said the project supports landholders right across the Toowoomba Region who want to plant koala trees to restore original habitat on their properties.

For the first time in decades, koalas have been spotted on a historic sheep-grazing property in Victoria which had thousands of trees planted on it to bring the species back. The International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) is teaming up with Koala Clancy Foundation on June 15 and 16 to plant more than 8,100 trees on the property, which sits along the Moorabool River in Victoria.

In a magnificent moment for conservation, the first northern hairy-nosed wombats have been released to explore their new home at Powrunna State Forest near St George in south-west Queensland. Northern hairy-nosed wombats are one of the rarest land mammals in the world.

Suzie Christensen. Once widespread, the Kermadec Petrel (Pterodroma neglecta) disappeared from Lord Howe Island following the introduction of pigs and rodents and spread of invasive weeds ... With the successful eradication of these pests and an ongoing weed control program, the vulnerable species now has the opportunity to return to breed on the main island.

Koala conservation organisation, Friends of the Koala, say there’s been a 15 per cent increase in koalas being hit by vehicles in the Northern Rivers region this past year, calling for extra vigilance from motorists ... Between May 2023 and May 2024, Friends of the Koala received reports of 71 koalas who were hit by vehicles, of which only 13 were able to be rehabilitated and released back to the wild.

The Miles Government has released the findings of a review of the government’s koala habitat protection regulations. The regulations were introduced in 2020 to better protect South East Queensland’s iconic koala population and the habitat they call home ... The consultation confirmed the regulations had been effective, however some elements have not worked as intended.  

Two tiny trackers are helping to uncover the secrets of the Sunshine Coast’s resident shorebirds. In a collaboration with the Queensland Wader Study Group and with the assistance of the Queensland Bird Research and Banding Group, Sunshine Coast Council recently fitted two tiny satellite trackers to Sooty Oystercatchers.

After making the difficult decision last year to put the zoo they founded on the market, Steve and Stephanie Robinson have had a change of heart, deciding to retain ownership of the Darling Downs Zoo at Pilton ... Mr Robinson said he wanted to ensure the zoo remains as a breeding facility for rare and endangered animals, as well as a family and educational facility that attracts visits from many local schools.

Koala Conversations, a dynamic series of events dedicated to koala conservation, is set to captivate communities across the Northern Rivers region. From the 18th to the 31st of May, a multitude of engaging activities and educational opportunities will unfold, culminating in the Koala Conversations Forum at Southern Cross University on the 1st of June.

Libbe Paton. The North East Wild Dog Action Group has been petitioning for wild dog control and 3km Livestock Protection Buffer (LPB) to continue as is. The opposing argument by pro-dingo activists is debatable, with many believing the dingo is native to Australia and questions are being raised. What is a dingo? What is a wild dog? What is a hybrid dog?

Glenn Falla. The aftermath of Covid 19 brought with it a lot of self-reflection for many people and an opportunity to look at current lifestyles and determine if there was balance ... Donald and its surrounding wetlands have a long history of supplying wild food for families around the state, and for that matter, for interstate visitors as well.