TFGA highlights exploding wildlife numbers imposing financial strain on farmers
The sustainable management of wildlife in Tasmania is a serious matter for Tasmanian landholders and farmers. Central to managing the issue are property protection permits, which are issued by the Department of Natural Resources and Environment (NRE).
Seen deer in a headlight? We want to know about it!
A new survey has just been launched to gather community support to better understand the prevalence, impacts and perception of feral deer in the Northern Rivers. Tweed Shire Council, in partnership with Kyogle and Byron Shire councils, has launched a survey to understand the community’s perception of feral deer, the impacts of feral deer, the presence or absence of feral deer in the Northern Rivers and the need to control them.
Long term study finds lethal control not putting dingo purity at risk: National Wild Dog Action Plan
A decade long study has found there is no evidence that lethal control to reduce livestock losses and for conservation of native wildlife in the southern rangelands of Western Australia is putting dingo purity at risk. The research found that lethal control did not accelerate hybridisation between dingoes and domestic dogs or have any impact on the genetic structure of the population in the study area over 11 years.
Hallowell birds make the list
The Friends of Mt. Hallowell-Kooryunderup and the Denmark Bird Group last month hosted a bird walk and launch of an official birds of Mt Hallowell-Kooryunderup list. This aims to help identify and count birds in the A-class environmental reserve.
TFGA supports government culling programme
Tasmania's feral deer population is costing the state more than $100 million a year. The peak body for farming in the state, the Tasmanian Farmers and Graziers Association, says the deer population in Tasmania is exploding.
Adrift Lab
Jenn Lavers. In April, the Adrift Lab team returned to Lord Howe Island ... While Lord Howe Island is the world’s single largest population of Flesh-footed Shearwaters, this same iconic species also breeds throughout the Recherche Archipelago off the coast of Esperance.
Help reduce the global decline of Shearwaters by ‘Moving a Mutto’
Suzie Christensen, LHIB. It’s that time of year when young Shearwater birds emerge from their burrows on LHI ... Flesh-footed Shearwaters (Ardeena carneipes) and Wedge-tailed Shearwaters (Ardeena pacificus) breeding grounds are intersected by the Island roads, increasing the risk of juveniles being run over by cars and bikes.
New guide sheds light on challenges facing peri-urban communities from wild dogs
“Predation by wild dogs on threatened species can have a significant impact on local populations already under pressure from other environment factors ... Out of 144 koalas known to have been killed by predators in the study area, 117 were killed by wild dogs ... Wild dog attacks are leaving pet owners distraught and traumatised": Greg Mifsud.
“Where’s the snake that shed the skin?”
That’s the question occupying the mind of Maureen Fritsch, who writes from her family’s home, off Avon Plains Road, between Donald and Cope Cope. "The other day, my son, Matt, discovered a 2050mm snake skin not far from our farm," Maureen wrote.
Warning after rare sightings of dugong in Tweed River
Boat operators are urged to take special care in the Tweed River, with several sightings of a dugong reported to Council over the past 12 months. While dugong are known to occur in Moreton Bay, the presence of one of these marine mammals in the Tweed is both unusual and exciting.
A first in 40 years – Murray crayfish released back into South Australian waters: Landscape SA
Around 200 Murray crayfish have been released into the river as part of a landmark trial to reintroduce the iconic Australian species back into the South Australian River Murray ... "The Murray crayfish release in South Australia would not have been possible without the rescue efforts of OzFish volunteers during the upstream black-water event, and North-West Aquaculture and Nature Glenelg Trust for maintaining them in captivity," said Darren Willis, Team Leader Wetlands at the Murraylands and Riverland Landscape Board.
Reef island purchases protect critical koala, turtle habitat: Scanlon
Leases on two Great Barrier Reef islands have been purchased by the Palaszczuk Government with the move protecting key habitat for a range of species including koalas and flatback turtles. Environment Minister Meaghan Scanlon announced that the government had purchased the lease for St Bees Island, 35km north-east of Mackay and the lease for the Long Island Broad Sound in the Southern Great Barrier Reef Marine Park.
High-flying couple welcomes new skyhome
This was a renovation rescue like no other – a new skyhome for a high-flying Sunshine Coast couple. Sunshine Coast Council has just completed a lofty project to ensure a better future for a beloved pair of ospreys – and their future offspring.
Proof that species are declining in our forests set up to protect them: Robert Onfray
Robert Onfray. As we celebrate World Endangered Species Day on 19 May, I thought it timely this month to look closely at how species are faring in Australia, particularly in reserves authorities have established to protect them ... We don’t hear about this aspect of monitoring in our reserves because the government, bureaucrats and environmental activists don’t want the public to know just how poorly managed our reserves are.
Volunteers needed for 2023 Annual Cocky Count
Skye McPherson. The South-eastern Red-tailed Black-Cockatoo Recovery Team and BirdLife Australia is looking forward to the regional Annual Cocky Count in 2023 and is seeking the help of volunteers. This year the Annual Cocky Count will be held on Saturday 6 May, with volunteers searching in stringybark sites across the Red-tails’ range in south-eastern South Australia and south-western Victoria.
Just add water, again
While Victoria wrestles with the federal government over the Murray-Darling Basin Plan Sustainable Diversion Limit project, the delivery of held environmental water ramps up to flood Gunbower Forest again. Described as the ‘Special Sauce’ by North Central Catchment Management Authority (NCCMA), held environmental water will be used to irrigate the forest following two flooding events in 2022, an irrigation event and the following wide-scale major flooding. It’s not tree or canopy health that is driving the NCCMA’s call for water this time around but food for water birds.
Launch of frog ‘hotels’ in Olney State Forest: FCNSW
Olney State Forest is now home to a series of frog ‘hotels’ designed to support threatened frog species, thanks to a partnership between Forestry Corporation of NSW and the University of Newcastle.
Allora’s own pictorial bird guidebook
On Sunday 23rd April, the Allora Landcare Group (ALG) officially launched the second edition of their book ‘A Pictorial Guide to the Birds of Allora Mountain Flora and Fauna Reserve’ ... Frank Coman, a CSIRO scientist based in Brisbane was the photographer for the book ... He spoke about the new bird species on the Reserve he keeps finding, and including these resulted in the new edition enlarging to accommodate them. The number is now well over 100.
Maleny Wood Expo
Over 150 exhibitors, artisans and woodworkers, workshop presenters, speakers and performers! With a dynamic program on offer, a full house of exhibitors, and some new features built into the program this year, the return of the Maleny Wood Expo is set to be a fantastic weekend for the whole family to enjoy!
RSPCA worked with experts on bison, but doesn’t say why they died
Several times IndyNR.com contacted the RSPCA for comment about what was going on with the bison at the closed Aranyani Bison Adventure Tourist Park ... Once we had that confirmation on April 20, we reported the deaths of bison at Myrtle Creek.
Experts to descend on Lockyer Valley to discuss koala conservation at upcoming forum
Tickets are now available for the upcoming Lockyer Valley Koala Forum. The Forum, presented by Wildlife Watcher and an initiative of Social Marketing @ Griffith in partnership with the Lockyer Valley Regional Council, will be held on Thursday 18 May at the Lockyer Valley Cultural Centre, as well as online.
Wild dog data kept securely
Pastoralists and land managers can have complete confidence the information they record about wild dog activity, control and livestock attacks entered on FeralScan ® (including WildDogScan ®) is kept confidential and managed securely.
